Properties of DB Files and How to Open a File with .db Extension

DB files exist as 6 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Mobile Device Database

General Information

Title	.DB File Extension
Extension	.db
Full Form	Database File
File Type	Data File
Developer	Various
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store data
Additional Functions	Organize data, Enable search
Features	Structured, Indexed

File Characteristics

Quality	Depends on data
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Data Management	Yes
Mobile Apps	Yes
Desktop Software	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Data leakage
Best Practices	Encryption, Backups

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Varies
Latest Version	Depends on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.sqlite, .accdb, .mdb

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
SQLite	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
DB Browser for SQLite	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
Microsoft Access	Subscription	Windows

Type 2: Database File

A DB file stores data. It has tables, fields, and values. DB files come in many types for different uses. Some DB files should not be opened by users. If your DB file is a SQLite database, open it wit...

General Information

Title	DB File Extension
Extension	.db
Full Form	Database File
File Type	Database Storage File
Developer	Varies
MIME Type	application/x-sqlite3

File Function

Primary Function	Store data
Additional Functions	Data management, Data retrieval
Features	Structured format, Multiple tables

File Characteristics

Quality	Depends on content
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Software Development	Yes
Data Analysis	Yes
Application Data	Yes
Server Storage	Yes
Embedded Systems	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Unauthorized access, SQL injection
Best Practices	Encryption, User authentication

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Varies
Latest Version	Depends on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.sqlite, .accdb, .mdb, .sql

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
SQLite	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS
Microsoft Access	Paid	Windows
DB Browser for SQLite	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 3: Windows Thumbnail Cache

Thumbs.db is the default Windows thumbnail cache filename. These hidden files store folder images for quicker browsing. Tencent QQ saves user data like contacts in DB files. The Windows QQ version u...

General Information

Title	DB File Extension
Extension	.db
Full Form	Windows Thumbnail Cache
File Type	Database File
Developer	Microsoft
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store thumbnails
Additional Functions	Speed up loading
Features	Hidden, System file

File Characteristics

Quality	Low resolution
Supports Layers	No
Supports Transparency	No
Editable	Indirect

Use Cases

Image Browsing	Yes
File Management	Yes
System Operations	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Privacy concerns
Best Practices	Regular cleanup, Disable caching

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Windows XP
Latest Version	Windows 10, 11

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.thumbcache, .db-wal, .db-shm

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Windows Operating System	Paid	Windows
Thumbs Viewer	Free	Windows

Type 4: QQ Account Database

General Information

Title	.db File Extension
Extension	.db
Full Form	Database File
File Type	Data File
Developer	Various
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store data
Additional Functions	Data management, retrieval
Features	Structured, portable

File Characteristics

Quality	High efficiency
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Data Storage	Yes
Embedded Systems	Yes
Mobile Applications	Yes
Desktop Applications	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Unauthorized access
Best Practices	Encryption, backups

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Varies
Latest Version	Dependent on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.sqlite, .sql, .accdb, .mdb

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
SQLite	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS
DB Browser for SQLite	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
SQL Server	Paid	Windows, Linux, Docker

Type 5: X-Ray Engine Database

DB files are used by games made with the X-Ray engine. The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series uses DB files to store data. Modders use the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Data Unpacker to modify DB files. The Unpacker can add or e...

General Information

Title	DB File Extension
Extension	.db
Full Form	Database File
File Type	Database File
Developer	GSC Game World
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store data
Additional Functions	Indexing, Searching
Features	Binary format, Proprietary

File Characteristics

Quality	High efficiency
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Game Development	Yes
Resource Management	Yes
Modding	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Tampering risk
Best Practices	Backup, Verify integrity

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2007
Latest Version	Dependent on game

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.xdb, .dds, .ogf

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
X-Ray Engine	Part of game	Windows
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Games	Commercial	Windows

Type 6: Skype Chat and Call History

Skype is an application for video calls, text chats available for various devices. It saves chat history locally and online. The local copy is stored in a DB file named differently across Skype versions. DB files also have different storage locations across Skype versions. For example, later Windows 10 Skype versions use skype.db stored in the %localappdata%/Packages directory. Skype DB files are SQLite databases. You can view the data in them using SQLite Database Browser.

Skype chat history is backed up and saved locally in a.db file. This file updates monthly. It is good to copy this file monthly to a different location if you need talks older than a month. By default, Skype saves text chats in the cloud for thirty days then removes them. But Microsoft provides a workaround to back up your files and chat history.

The Skype software records full text messages, and date, duration of other communications. Your Skype conversation history keeps this record of messages, calls, transfers sent and received.

Thumbs.db files store thumbnail image data of photos. They are automatically created by some Windows versions in image folders.

The DB file extension has 22 file types in our database. DB stands for Database file, commonly in smartphones. DB files mainly store contacts and SMS information, also data for a specific mobile app. The data is generally in encrypted SQLite format. Smartphone DB files are not intended to be user-accessible as they enable apps to run smoothly. DB files also store Windows thumbnail cache data.

To open old Skype conversations, make monthly copies of the.db file with your chat history. By default, Skype cloud storage removes texts after thirty days. But Skype allows backing up your chat history file.

Your Skype conversation history file keeps your messages, calls, transfers. The software records full text conversations, and date, time for other communications. Skype automatically deletes large files after thirty days.

To view your Skype chat history file main.db: Locate it, usually in your Skype Documents folder. Open it in a SQLite browser to read the database. The Conversations, Messages, Participants tables contain the necessary information.

To save a Skype conversation: Select all messages, File – Print or Save. This prints or saves the entire conversation.

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General Information

Title	DB File Extension
Extension	.db
Full Form	Database File
File Type	Data File
Developer	Various
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store data
Additional Functions	Indexing, Search
Features	Structured, Binary format

File Characteristics

Quality	High reliability
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tool

Use Cases

Chat History	Yes
Call Logs	Yes
Application Data	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Data leakage
Best Practices	Encryption, Access control

Historical/Version Information

Skype Initial Release	2003
Skype Latest Version	Varies by platform

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.sqlite, .sqlitedb, .db3

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Skype	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
SQLite Browser	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux