What is the VAULT file format?
The .vault file format stores font files created by Fontcase, a commercial software for managing fonts in macOS, developed by Bohemian Coding (later known for the Sketch design tool). A .vault file contains data about fonts - whether they are fonts imported by the user, shared fonts, or system-level fonts. The file also contains information such as font parameters (including activation and deactivation status) and ratings.
.vault files are saved by the font manager in the default location:
~/Library/Application Support/Fontcase/
.vaultfiles are stored in a binary, proprietary database format, likely backed by Apple's Core Data framework with an underlying SQLite store.- The file indexes the user's managed .OTF and .TTF fonts alongside per-font metadata; the actual font files remain in their original system locations.
.vaultfiles are used by the Fontcase program without the user's need to manually open them.- Fontcase further development was discontinued in 2013 when Bohemian Coding shifted focus to the Sketch design application; no successor format was provided.
- Modern macOS users typically manage fonts with the built-in Font Book application or third-party managers such as RightFont or FontBase. Note that
.vaultis also used as an extension by several unrelated applications - always verify the originating software.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA Fontcase .vault is a passive application library - it is not executable and contains no macros, so it cannot run anything. The main risk is practical, not security: the app that reads it (Fontcase) is discontinued, so the file is effectively orphaned and you may be unable to open it without legacy software. Separately, be careful not to confuse this Fontcase font-library .vault with an encrypted password/backup '.vault' from a different program - those are security containers and should be handled with their own app and credentials.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEFontcase Vault Fileaka Fontcase library, Fontcase font vault
DEVELOPERBohemian Coding (maker of Fontcase; later known for Sketch)since Circa 2009-2010 (Fontcase font-management app for Mac OS X)
CATEGORYData Files
MIME TYPEapplication/octet-stream
TYPEProprietary application database storing a managed font library and metadata
This extension is also used by…
- 1Password .vault / OPVault - AgileBits 1Password historically stored an encrypted password vault as an OPVault bundle; a very different, security-focused use of the word 'vault'.
- VaultPress / generic backup vaults - Various backup and archival tools name their encrypted container or repository a 'vault' (e.g. AWS Glacier vaults, backup apps); not a single shared format.
- Game/app save 'vault' files - Some games and utilities use .vault for a save bundle or secured data store; identify by the owning application.
Programs that open VAULT files
macOS3 apps
Fontcase (legacy, discontinued)
Paid The original app that created .vault files - retired by Bohemian Coding in 2013 and no longer sold or supported. Only usable if you still have an old copy on a compatible OS.
Font Book (built-in)
Built-in Recover the underlying OTF/TTF fonts and import them into Font Book - the standard macOS font manager that replaces Fontcase's role.
RightFont / FontBase
Freemium Modern Mac font managers; import the recovered fonts to organize/activate them as Fontcase once did. Technical details
deep spec| Developer | Bohemian Coding |
| Platform | macOS (Mac OS X) |
| Encoding | Binary proprietary; likely Core Data / SQLite-backed store |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Default storage path | ~/Library/Application Support/Fontcase/ |
| Font scopes indexed | User-imported fonts, shared fonts, and system-level fonts |
| Metadata stored | Font activation/deactivation status, user ratings, and font source type |
| Associated font formats | .otf, .ttf, .dfont, .ttc |
| File size range | Tens of KB to many MB, scaling with the size of the managed font library |
| User interaction | Application-internal database; not intended to be opened manually by the user |
| Development status | Discontinued - Fontcase retired by Bohemian Coding in 2013; format frozen |
| Extension ambiguity | The .vault extension is also used by several unrelated applications (e.g., password managers, game tools); always verify the originating software |
| Released | Circa 2009-2010 (Fontcase font-management app for Mac OS X) |
| Latest version | N/A - Fontcase was retired by Bohemian Coding in 2013; format frozen |
| Specification | www.sketch.com |
VAULT conversions
Possible
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about VAULT files.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .vault file?
In this database it's the library file of Fontcase, a Mac OS X font-management app by Bohemian Coding. It stores a collection of fonts and their metadata. (Note: other unrelated apps also use the .vault extension for password or backup containers.)
How do I open a Fontcase .vault file?
There's no current app for it - Fontcase was discontinued in 2013. If you still have an old copy of Fontcase on a compatible Mac you can open it there; otherwise recover the underlying OTF/TTF fonts and import them into Font Book or RightFont.
Is Fontcase still available?
No. Bohemian Coding retired Fontcase in 2013 to focus on Sketch, and it's no longer sold or supported. Use macOS Font Book or a modern font manager (RightFont, FontBase) instead.
How do I get the fonts out of a .vault file?
The managed fonts are standard OpenType/TrueType files. Recover the .otf/.ttf files from the Fontcase library or your backups, then import them into Font Book or another font manager.
My .vault file isn't a font library - what else could it be?
The .vault extension is also used by unrelated programs, including encrypted password vaults (e.g. 1Password's OPVault) and backup tools. Check which application created the file; open it with that program, not a font manager.
References
1Bohemian Coding / Sketch - company sitewww.sketch.com
2Apple - Font Book user guidesupport.apple.com
