OpenAnyFile
What is a .ds_store file?
macOS Finder Metadata (.DS_Store) is a binary format developed by Apple, first released in 2000. It is usually created by macOS Finder.
Stores icon positions and view settings. Uploaded to a web server, it leaks the folder's filenames — the extracted strings show exactly which.
File details
| Full name | macOS Finder Metadata (.DS_Store) |
|---|---|
| Category | System & binary |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 00 00 00 01 42 75 64 31 (Bud1) |
| Developer | Apple |
| Introduced | 2000 |
| Opens with | Universal inspector |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .ds_store file
OpenAnyFile routes .ds_store files to its universal inspector, which shows a hex view, the detected signature, checksums and any readable text.
- Drop your .ds_store 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 .ds_store 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 .ds_store files
Can I open a .ds_store file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .ds_store 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 .ds_store file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine DS_STORE file begins with 00 00 00 01 42 75 64 31 (Bud1). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .ds_store 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.