What is the MEGA file format?
.mega files store data used by Megacubo, an open-source IPTV and internet radio streaming application. The format acts as a native channel metafile, holding the stream details Megacubo needs to locate and play each channel.
.mega files are plain-text XML documents, typically opening with a <?xml declaration. They store:
- stream URLs,
- channel number and name,
- channel description,
- streaming parameters and source identifiers.
IPTV delivers TV content over IP networks rather than traditional broadcast infrastructure. Megacubo fully supports IPTV playback, and its .mega metafiles complement the M3U and M3U8 playlists it also accepts. Both formats reference external streams, but .mega uses an XML structure with Megacubo-specific metadata fields. Plain-text XML means any text editor can open and inspect a .mega file.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMThe .mega file itself is harmless XML text. The real caution is what it points to: IPTV channel lists frequently link to unofficial/pirated streams, and opening unknown stream URLs can expose you to malicious servers or legally dubious content. Inspect the URL in a text editor before loading. Only download the Megacubo app from its official site/store to avoid fake "IPTV player" bundles. This format is unrelated to MEGA.nz, so don't enter MEGA.nz credentials anywhere on its account of a .mega file.
Format details
in a nutshell- MEGAsync / download-manager temporary chunk - Some tools leave a partial .mega file while downloading; it becomes the real file once complete - not openable on its own.
- Generic XML metafile (other apps) - A few unrelated programs have used .mega for small XML config/metadata; rare.
Programs that open MEGA files
Windows2 apps
Megacubo
Open-source Install Megacubo and open the .mega from within the app to load the channel preset and play its stream. 
Any text editor (Notepad, Notepad++)
Free Right-click → Open with a text editor to read the channel name and stream URL inside (it's plain XML); won't play the stream. 
macOS2 apps
Megacubo
Open-source Install the macOS build of Megacubo and open the .mega to load the saved channel. 
Linux1 app
Android1 app
Megacubo (Android)
Open-source Open the .mega in the Megacubo Android app to load the channel preset. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Plain-text XML channel metafile |
| MIME type | application/xml |
| Character encoding | UTF-8 plain text |
| File identification | No fixed binary signature; identified by .mega extension and XML content starting with <?xml |
| Developer | EdenwareApps (Marcelo Lima Vargas) |
| Primary purpose | Storing IPTV and internet radio channel definitions for the Megacubo player |
| Key data fields | Channel name, stream URL, channel number, description, source identifiers |
| Supported stream protocols | HTTP, HTTPS, and UDP stream URLs |
| Storage | Uncompressed; stored as human-readable plain text |
| Related playlist formats | .m3u, .m3u8 (also supported by Megacubo alongside .mega) |
| Platform support | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (via Megacubo) |
| Editability | Human-readable; editable with any plain-text or XML editor |
| XML schema | Megacubo-proprietary structure; element and attribute names are application-defined |
| Released | Megacubo project, mid-2000s onward (open-source IPTV player) |
| Specification | github.com |
MEGA conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about MEGA files.
