All about CHAT Files

The CHAT file type is primarily associated with AIM.

CHAT	File extension: CHAT
	File type:	log file

What is a CHAT file

CHAT files mostly belong to AIM. CHAT files store conversation logs generated during messaging sessions. These files record the text exchanged in chat sessions, and they may use different formats depending on the source.
For example,

Instant Messaging logs: Files from older platforms like AIM and AOL Instant Messenger (also known as iChat) usually contain simple plain text records.

Meeting transcripts: Some files, such as those from Zoom, save the chat conversation as plain text. You can find more details on their format by visiting the Zoom website.

Structured logs: Cisco Webex Meetings sometimes produces CHAT files in JSON format. This structured format helps in parsing details like timestamps and user IDs. More information is available on the Webex website.

FilExt.com tip: Each type is intended to keep a record of the text exchanged during chat sessions. Depending on the exact format, you can open these files with a simple text editor, or use a JSON viewer if the file is structured in that way.

How to open CHAT files

You need a suitable software like AIM to open a CHAT file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your CHAT file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a CHAT file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online CHAT Text Viewer

Choose your .chat file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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CHAT file format:

The file format, which is the arrangement and type of data in a file, determines which program can open the file. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. File extension, signature and file format must match; otherwise errors will occur when the file is opened. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Our examination of the CHAT files comes to the following conclusion:

The CHAT file extension is not common and is used by different programs with different formats. The two most popular formats are as follows:

• 50% of all CHAT files have the same signature 04 0B 74 79 70 65 64 73 74 72 65 61 6D 81 03 E8. They consist of unreadable binary data. The files are on average 3 KB in size and range from 670 bytes to 25 KB. The file type was primarily used more than 10 years ago. The following keywords are characteristic: InstantMessage, NSArray, NSDate, NSMutableArray, NSObject, NSString, typedstream, Person and Presentity. Such files sometimes refer to messages, instant, gocubz, grmpy, prez, angst and chef, and have person-related content.
• 25% of all CHAT files have the same signature 00:. These files are text files and can therefore be read using a text editor. The file size is in the range of 100 bytes to 3 KB. A common filename is 2020-06-01 10_30.chat. These files can be linked to innovation and tech.

All the rest of the CHAT files (25%) have different formats. Sometimes used for tutoria. You can get all the details of your CHAT file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .chat file to analyze" above.