FileHint
JAEN

.webarchive

Use caution

Safari Web Archive

The single-file web archive produced when Safari saves a page on macOS or iOS. Internally a binary plist bundling HTML, images, CSS, and JS.

MIME types

  • application/x-webarchive

Category

web

What opens this file

  • Safari (required)
  • webarchive-extractor CLI

How to open by OS

Windows

  • Not supported (Safari for Windows was discontinued in 2012).

Mac

  • Open or save with Safari.

Linux

  • Not supported; parse the plist manually via CLI.

Ios

  • Safari reads webarchive.

Android

  • Not supported.

Safety notes

  • Historical WebKit bugs let .webarchive files run scripts under the guise of their original URL. Don't open webarchives from unknown senders.

Common mistakes

  • Sharing with Windows or Android users fails — switch to PDF or print-to-pdf for cross-platform archives.
  • Older webarchives occasionally stop opening after Safari updates. Keep a PDF companion for long-term storage.

Related extensions

References