OpenAnyFile
What is a .arrow file?
Apache Arrow IPC File is a data format developed by Apache Software Foundation, first released in 2017. It is usually created by Apache Arrow, DuckDB, Polars.
Columnar in-memory layout written to disk, so it can be memory-mapped without deserialising.
File details
| Full name | Apache Arrow IPC File |
|---|---|
| Category | Data & science |
| MIME type | application/vnd.apache.arrow.file |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 41 52 52 4F 57 31 (ARROW1) |
| Developer | Apache Software Foundation |
| Introduced | 2017 |
| Opens with | Universal inspector |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .arrow file
OpenAnyFile routes .arrow files to its universal inspector, which shows a hex view, the detected signature, checksums and any readable text.
- Drop your .arrow file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the universal inspector.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: a hex view, the detected signature, checksums and any readable text. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
A rendered view. This format has no open decoder, so you get a byte-level inspection and readable text instead.
Is it safe to open a .arrow file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .arrow files
Can I open a .arrow file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .arrow files in your browser using its universal inspector. You get a hex view, the detected signature, checksums and any readable text, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .arrow file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine ARROW file begins with 41 52 52 4F 57 31 (ARROW1). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .arrow file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.