FileHint
JAEN

.mp3

Low risk

MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer III

The de-facto standard for music distribution for over 25 years. Playable on virtually anything with a speaker.

MIME types

  • audio/mpeg

Category

audio

What opens this file

  • iTunes / Music.app
  • Windows Media Player
  • VLC
  • foobar2000
  • Every smartphone's stock music app

How to open by OS

Windows

  • Windows Media Player, Groove, VLC.

Mac

  • Music.app or QuickTime Player.

Linux

  • VLC, mpv, Audacious.

Ios

  • Music and Files.

Android

  • Google Play Music, VLC, stock players.

Safety notes

  • Malformed images embedded in ID3v2 tags have crashed older players in the past — keep playback software current.

Common mistakes

  • Using MP3 when you actually need lossless audio. For archival, choose FLAC or WAV instead.
  • Files labelled .mp3 that actually contain AAC/M4A. Extension alone will not tell you — use the File Signature Checker.

Related extensions

References