How to open a .wv file (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Q: Why can't I open my .wv file?

Usually your computer lacks an app that understands WavPack. Install one of the apps listed here, or convert the file to a more common format.

A .wv file is a WavPack Audio. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads WavPack yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.

Open a .wv file step by step

Confirm the file really is a .wv. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
On Windows, open it with foobar2000 or VLC.
On Mac, use VLC or XLD.
On Linux, try VLC or ffmpeg.
Still stuck? Convert the .wv to flac, which opens more widely.

Best apps to open .wv files

Windows

foobar2000
VLC
WavPack tools

macOS

Linux

VLC
ffmpeg
Deadbeef

Before you open it: Safe. WavPack is compressed audio read by a media player.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I open my .wv file?

Almost always because no installed app understands WavPack. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.

How do I open a .wv file?

Play it in VLC or foobar2000, or convert it to FLAC or WAV with ffmpeg for wider support.

What is WavPack hybrid mode?

It splits audio into a small lossy .wv file and a .wvc correction file. Together they are lossless; the .wv alone plays as a compact lossy track.