EXI File – What is .exi file and how to open it?

EXI File Format

EXI files are associated with the YouTube app for Android devices. The extension .EXI stands for YouTube for Android Offline Video Index. These files contain information about offline videos stored on an Android device. When a user downloads a video from YouTube for offline viewing, the EXI file is created to track the downloaded video’s location and other relevant information.

Role of EXI Files in Offline Video Management

EXI files play a crucial role in managing offline videos within the YouTube app. They serve as a central index, providing the app with the necessary information to locate and access the downloaded video files. The EXI file stores specific details about the video, including its title, duration, thumbnail, and the path to its location on the device. Without the EXI file, the YouTube app would not be able to access the downloaded video or display it correctly within the app’s offline video section.

Additional Notes

EXI files are typically not accessible or editable by users. They are primarily used by the YouTube app for internal purposes related to offline video management. Deleting or modifying EXI files may interfere with the app’s ability to access downloaded videos. Therefore, users are advised to leave EXI files intact and rely on the YouTube app’s built-in features for managing offline videos.

Method 1: Using YouTube Application

EXI files are index files created by the YouTube Android app to store information about offline videos. They cannot be opened directly or played in a media player. To access the offline videos, users need to use the YouTube app itself.

To do this, open the YouTube app on your Android device. Tap on the “Library” tab and select “Downloads.” You will see a list of all the videos you have downloaded for offline viewing. Tap on any video to start watching it.

Method 2: Copying EXI Files to Another Device

In some cases, you may want to transfer the EXI files to another device to access the offline videos. However, EXI files are encrypted and locked to the user’s YouTube account. Therefore, you cannot simply copy the files to another device and expect them to play.

To transfer the offline videos to another device, you need to use the YouTube app’s “Offline Sharing” feature. This feature allows you to share your offline videos with other devices that are signed in to the same YouTube account. To use this feature, open the YouTube app on your device, tap on the “Library” tab, and select “Downloads.” Tap on the “Share” icon for the video you want to share, and select the “Offline Sharing” option. Follow the prompts to complete the sharing process.

EXI File Extension

The EXI file extension is associated with YouTube for Android Offline Video Index. These files are created when you download videos from YouTube for offline viewing on your Android device. EXI files contain information about the downloaded video, such as the video’s title, description, and thumbnail. They also contain a list of the video’s segments, which are stored in separate files with the .EXO extension. When you play an offline video on your Android device, the YouTube app uses the EXI file to locate and assemble the video’s segments into a playable video.

EXI files are typically stored in the “YouTube/Offline” directory on your Android device. They are not meant to be opened or edited directly. However, you can delete EXI files if you no longer need the corresponding offline videos. To do this, open the YouTube app on your Android device and go to the “Library” tab. Tap on the “Offline” section, then tap on the “Edit” button. Select the videos that you want to delete, then tap on the “Delete” button.

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