.WEBLOC File Extension

macOS Website Location

Developer	Apple
Popularity	Average rating 3.4 / 5. Vote count: 105
Category	Web Files
Format	.WEBLOC
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an WEBLOC file?

The .WEBLOC file extension is used by macOS to store the location of a website. Essentially, it is a type of shortcut that points to a URL, allowing quick access to the website from the macOS Finder or Dock.

More Information.

The .WEBLOC file format has been a part of macOS for many years, reflecting Apple’s emphasis on integrating web browsing with the operating system’s user interface. Its primary purpose is to provide a simple way to create desktop shortcuts to websites.

Origin Of This File.

The .WEBLOC file type was introduced by Apple as part of macOS, specifically designed to make it easier for users to access their favorite websites directly from the desktop environment.

File Structure Technical Specification.

How to Convert the File?

Windows:

Open the .WEBLOC File:
- Right-click the .WEBLOC file and select “Open with” > “Notepad” (or another text editor).
- Copy the URL from the file’s contents.
Create a Shortcut:
- Right-click on your desktop or in a folder and select “New” > “Shortcut.”
- Paste the copied URL into the location field and click “Next.”
- Name the shortcut and click “Finish.”

Linux:

Open the .WEBLOC File:
- Right-click the .WEBLOC file and open it with a text editor like Gedit or Nano.
- Copy the URL from the file’s contents.
Create a Desktop Shortcut:
- Open a text editor and create a new file with the .desktop extension, e.g., website.desktop.
- Enter the following content, replacing <URL> and Name with the actual URL and desired shortcut name.
- Save the file and make it executable by running chmod +x website.desktop in the terminal.

macOS:

Open the .WEBLOC File:
- Double-click the .WEBLOC file to open it in your default web browser.
Create a New Shortcut:
- Drag the URL from the browser’s address bar to your desktop or desired location. This will create a new .webloc file.

Android:

Open the .WEBLOC File:
- Use a file manager app or text editor app to open the .WEBLOC file and view the URL.
Create a Bookmark:
- Open a web browser on your Android device.
- Navigate to the URL you extracted.
- Use the browser’s menu to add a bookmark or shortcut to the home screen.

iOS:

Open the .WEBLOC File:
- Use a text editor app on your iOS device to open the .WEBLOC file and view the URL.
Create a Shortcut:
- Open Safari or another browser on your iOS device.
- Navigate to the URL you extracted.
- Use the “Share” button and select “Add to Home Screen” to create a shortcut.

Others (e.g., Cross-platform tools):

Extract the URL:
- Open the .WEBLOC file with a text editor to view and copy the URL.
Create a Shortcut/Bookmark:
- Follow the specific steps for creating shortcuts or bookmarks on the desired platform or application. This usually involves pasting the URL into the relevant field in the application or system preferences.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:
- Ease of Use: Simple way to create shortcuts to websites.
- Integration: Works seamlessly with macOS’s user interface.
- Lightweight: The file is small and easy to handle.
Disadvantages:
- Platform Specific: Primarily useful only on macOS; limited use on other platforms.
- No Additional Features: Provides only the URL, without any additional metadata or features.

How to Open WEBLOC?

Open In Windows

.WEBLOC files are not natively supported in Windows. However, you can open them with a text editor (e.g., Notepad) to view the URL and manually create a shortcut to that URL in Windows.

Open In Linux

Similar to Windows, .WEBLOC files are not natively supported. You can open them with a text editor (e.g., Gedit or Nano) to see the URL and then create a web shortcut manually in Linux.

Open In MAC

.WEBLOC files are designed to be used in macOS. Simply double-clicking the file will open the URL in your default web browser.

Open In Android

.WEBLOC files are not supported natively in Android. You can view the URL by opening the file with a text editor, but you’ll need to create a new shortcut to the URL manually on your home screen.

Open In IOS

.WEBLOC files are not supported natively in iOS. You can open the file using a text editor app to view the URL, but creating a shortcut would require manual steps or using an app that can handle URL shortcuts.

Open in Others

Other Systems: .WEBLOC files are generally not supported outside of macOS environments. For other systems, manually extracting the URL and creating a new shortcut or bookmark is necessary.