Tips to open VCARD file

Can't open the VCARD file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open VCARD files as well as a list of programs that support VCARD files.

VCARD file extension

File Name VCard
File Developer Apple, Inc.
File Category Document Files

The VCARD file is supported on 2 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the VCARD files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the VCARD file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 3
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is VCARD file?

The file in the VCARD format belongs to the Document Files category. It was designed by Apple, Inc.. Additionally, the Document Files category contains 574 of other files. VCard appears on 2 operating systems as a functional file. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Mac OS, Windows. The Apple Calendar (iCal) application is recommended to open the file. It was released by Apple, Inc.. This file type can also be opened by 4 other programs. You can use Samsung Kies, SoftSpire vCard Converter, AB2CSV, CSV to vCard in case Apple Calendar (iCal) cannot be used.

How to open VCARD file?

The most common problem when using VCard is that a specific VCARD is not associated with the program. This is manifested by the fact that VCARD files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the VCARD file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Apple Calendar (iCal)

The first step is to check if the computer has the Apple Calendar (iCal) program installed. This can be achieved by typing Apple Calendar (iCal) into the operating system search engine. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file VCARD with Apple Calendar (iCal). Below is a list of programs that support the file VCARD.

Step 2. Create association of Apple Calendar (iCal) with VCARD files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the VCARD file still does not use the Apple Calendar (iCal) program, it means no association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Apple Calendar (iCal) application as the default for handling the VCARD file.

Step 3. Update Apple Calendar (iCal) to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Apple Calendar (iCal) program with the VCard file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. In this case, use the Apple, Inc. website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the VCARD file

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. File problems can be divided into the following:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the VCARD file contents when downloading or copying. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the VCARD file that we want to open. Sometimes virus-infected VCARD files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the VCARD files changes over time. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular VCARD file corruption. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting Apple, Inc., but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted VCARD files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. If possible, you can try to move the VCARD file to another location.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file VCARD to close. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.