XAP file extension - Microsoft Windows Phone and Microsoft Silverlight application package
What is xap file? How to open xap files?
File type specification:
Mobile phones related file type
Archive and compressed file type
xap file icon: 
The xap file extension is mainly related to app packages used to deploy apps on Windows Phone 7/8 devices. It is also the default file format for Silverlight apps.
The xap file stores Windows Phone application package in ZIP compression file format.
Content of the xap file:
- AppManifest.xaml file
- DLLs required
Default development environment for Windows Phone apps is Microsoft Visual Studio.
The xap file can be simply installed to phone via Market app. Copy *.xap file to SD card (Windows Phone 8 and higher) open Market and use SD card option.
XAP format was replaced by APPX format in Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, however older XAP apps can still be installed to 8.1 and 10 too.
Updated: December 31, 2024
The default software associated to open xap file:
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Silverlight is an application framework for writing and running rich Internet applications, with features and purposes similar to those of Adobe Flash.
Silverlight was a powerful development tool for creating engaging, interactive user experiences for Web and mobile applications.
Microsoft Silverlight support ended on October 12, 2021.
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) used to create applications for Microsoft Windows as well as dynamic websites and web applications. Visual Studio is available for Windows and Mac.
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile is mobile operating system developed by Microsoft. It is an iteration of the Windows Phone product line and a successor to Windows Phone 8.1
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Windows Phone 8 is a second generation of mobile operating system and successor of Windows Phone 7 based on Windows NT kernel. Windows Phone offers a new user interface with its design language, Metro, integrates the operating system with third party and other Microsoft services, and sets minimum requirements to the hardware on which it can run.
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Phone 7 is a mobile operating system and successor of Windows Mobile platform. It was first launched in late 2010. Windows Phone offers a new user interface with its design language, Metro, integrates the operating system with third party and other Microsoft services, and sets minimum requirements to the hardware on which it can run. The latest revision 7.5 is called Mango, with more coming in the future.
Microsoft Phone 7 operating system can be found in devices manufactured by Nokia, HTC, Dell, Samsung, and LG.
List of software applications associated to the .xap file extension
Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open xap file, edit xap file, convert xap file, view xap file, play xap file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).
Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting xap files.
Software that open xap file - Microsoft Windows Phone and Microsoft Silverlight application package
Programs supporting the exension xap on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open xap file action.
Microsoft Windows:
Main software associated with xap file by default:
Microsoft Silverlight
Other suggested software:
Microsoft Windows 10
Multiplatform:
Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile:
Main software associated with xap file by default:
Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile
Microsoft Windows Phone 8
Microsoft Windows Phone 7
