AB File

What are AB files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an AB file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your AB files.

What is an AB file?

AB files have multiple uses, and Android Adb Backup is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Android Adb Backup

Android Adb Backup (.ab) files are a type of data archive used to back-up data from user devices. They are generated using the Android Debug Bridge (adb) command-line tool, which is part of the Android Software Development Kit (SDK).

The adb tool creates this file when backing up device data and stores app-, system-, and other types of information inside it. It can be used with various programs that support the format, allowing users to access its contents.

To open a .ab file, an adb utility program is needed; third-party options may also be available. This will enable users to extract the stored content, such as applications or settings, and restore them to either the same or a different device.

How to open AB files

Important: Different programs may use files with the AB file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your AB file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested nine different AB openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 16, 2026

All known file formats using extension .AB

While Android Adb Backup is a popular type of AB-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .AB file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

AlphaBase Database

AlphaBase Database files are database files created by the Amiga program AlphaBase (version 2.x), written by Maik Schmidt. AlphaBase is a traditional Amiga database-application for organizing structured data such as address books, records that include text, pictures, or sound, and allows two modes of use: a formless address style and structured data record style.

Such files typically store the database tailored to the user's design: fields, records, optional multimedia attachments, and preferences. Users create and edit data within AlphaBase; the files are then read by AlphaBase itself (on AmigaOS) for viewing, editing, printing etc. Default file-extension is ".AB", which the program uses to identify its database files.

Technically, the file begins with the ASCII signature "AlphaBase2" at byte offset 0, identifying version 2.x of the format.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of AB files. Remember, different programs may use AB files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

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