How to Open .dat File on Mac

What is .dat file on Mac

The .dat file format is complex and can store several types of content, including photos, videos, text, graphics, and even binary data. This variety can make it challenging to determine which app to use for opening the document on your MacBook.

Learning how to access files on Mac might also help you view .dat files.

Why can’t you open .DAT files directly on Mac

We should note that no programs are specifically designed to open .dat files, which may be the primary reason you’re having difficulty accessing them. Simply double-clicking the file is often not enough for your Mac to open it successfully.

Meanwhile, if you need to open an EXE file on your Mac, our blog lists a separate article that explains how to do that.

A note from our experts:

 

If you’re uncertain about the legitimacy of a .dat file or want to delete it after opening, you should use a tool that safely removes unnecessary documents from your Mac without harming your personal files. MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup is the ideal solution for your Apple computer’s needs.

 

Follow our instructions to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup safely on your Mac:

1. Launch the MacKeeper app after downloading and installing it on your computer.
2. Choose Safe Cleanup from the left sidebar.
3. Hit Start Scan.
4. Check the folders you wish to scan.
5. Hit Clean Junk Files.
6. Wait until the scanning process is complete.

Methods to open .dat files on Mac

Determining how to open a .dat file can be challenging, as the extension doesn’t provide any hints about the file’s content. However, it’s certainly possible to view .dat files on your Apple computer.

Here are our preferred methods for opening .dat files on a Mac:

1. Via a text editor
2. Using third-party software
3. Opening in a web browser
4. Using Gmail to open .dat files

1. Via a text editor

It’s quite common for .dat files to contain text, so we find the easiest way to open them is with a text editor. Our team recommends using TextEdit, the free text processor included with any Mac.

To open a .dat file with TextEdit, follow our steps:

1. Open Finder, then go to the Applications folder.
2. Double-click on TextEdit to launch the app.
3. Drag your .dat file to the TextEdit window.
4. Select the file and click the Open button.

2. Using third-party software

However, if the .dat file doesn’t contain text, opening it with TextEdit won’t be useful. In this case, we suggest trying third-party software. Our top choice is TNEF’s Enough, which is free and has proven reliable over time.

Here are our instructions for viewing a .dat file with TNEF’s Enough:

1. Download TNEF’s Enough from the Mac App Store and launch it.
2. Click File from the task bar.
3. Select Open from the dropdown menu.
4. TNEF’s Enough will show you the contents of your file.
5. Go to File again, then choose Export to convert it into the right format.

Important: 

 

.dat files aren’t the only type of email attachments Mac users often experience issues with. If you’re having difficulty opening RAR files on Mac, check out our tips for assistance.

3. Opening in a web browser

If you prefer not to install any software on your computer, there’s an alternative method to open a .dat document on your Mac without any hassle. You can use your preferred web browser, such as Google Chrome or Safari, to navigate to the Winmaildat.com website. This method is especially useful for .dat files received as email attachments.

Here are some steps to help you open .dat files in your browser:

1. Go to the Winmaildat.com website on your browser of choice.
2. Click on the Browse files button.
3. Select the .dat file you want to view from your Mac.
4. Click Open, then hit Start.

4. Using Gmail to open .dat files

As mentioned earlier, .dat files often come as email attachments. Interestingly, you can also view the content of these files directly from your email. Specifically, we’ve been able to do this using a Gmail account.

In addition to the previously mentioned methods for opening .dat files, consider trying our tips from your Gmail account:

1. Go to your Gmail inbox and locate the email containing the .dat file.
2. Open the email with the .dat file you want to view.
3. Forward that email to your inbox.
4. Locate the forwarded email and click on it to view it.
5. Open the .dat file using Google Docs.

At this point, you should be able to fix any issues with viewing .dat files, which are often found in compressed folders. We also have troubleshooting tips available if you’re unable to expand zip files on Mac.

The ultimate guide for opening .dat files on Mac

Receiving a .dat file can be frustrating at first. However, knowing there are multiple methods to access its contents can open up new opportunities. You can often view the file using a text editor, such as TextEdit on macOS. If the file doesn’t contain text, you can also open it conveniently from your web browser. Additionally, you can use third-party apps or even Gmail (you read that right).

However, .dat files are often used by hackers to deliver malicious content, so we advise exercising caution when opening them. MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup will help you safely and privately remove these files.