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.GPKG file extension

To open .GPKG files on Windows, open QGIS and choose Layer/Data Source Manager, then add a Vector or Raster layer and browse to the .gpkg file.

To open a .gpkg file, use a GIS application that supports OGC GeoPackage, such as QGIS, or a geospatial library/tooling stack like GDAL. Because it is SQLite-based, some database tools can inspect it, but GIS software is usually the most practical.

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Last updated: June 12, 2026

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .GPKG files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .GPKG files safely.

Windows

  1. Open QGIS and choose Layer/Data Source Manager, then add a Vector or Raster layer and browse to the .gpkg file.
  2. Select the layer(s) inside the GeoPackage when prompted and click Add/OK.
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. Open QGIS and use Data Source Manager to add a Vector or Raster layer from the .gpkg file.
  2. Choose the desired layer(s) from the GeoPackage and add them to the project.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. Open QGIS and add the .gpkg via Data Source Manager (Vector or Raster depending on the content).
  2. Pick the layer(s) contained in the GeoPackage and add them to the map.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. If you cannot open it on-device, transfer the .gpkg to a desktop GIS app (for example QGIS) to view or export its layers.
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. If you cannot open it on-device, copy the .gpkg to a computer and open it with a GIS tool such as QGIS or GDAL-based software.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • A .gpkg is a SQLite database; it does not typically contain “active” code like macros, but parsing untrusted geospatial databases can still expose bugs in GIS software or libraries (for example, GIS apps or GDAL-based pipelines). Prefer opening unknown files in up-to-date software.
  • GeoPackages can contain many layers and potentially large raster/tiles; opening an untrusted .gpkg may cause resource exhaustion (very large storage or memory use) in desktop GIS tools. Inspect file size and be cautious with unexpectedly large datasets.
  • If you use database tools to inspect the SQLite content directly, treat it as untrusted data; do not run arbitrary SQL scripts sourced from the file without understanding what they do in your environment.

If you did not expect this file

This extension is usually plain data, text, or structured content—not a program by itself. The practical risk is social engineering (a scam attachment or misleading filename). For trusted senders you rarely need heavy-handed antivirus wording; use these tools when you want an extra check on unexpected downloads.

Avast

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Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .GPKG files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • The file opens as a database, but no layers appear in a GIS app
  • Vector layer loads but raster/tiles do not (or vice versa)
  • The file is locked or changes do not save

Fix steps

  1. Try opening it in QGIS via the GeoPackage/SQLite data source workflow and look for selectable layers inside the file.
  2. If it still shows no layers, verify the file is actually an OGC GeoPackage (not just a generic SQLite database renamed to .gpkg) and obtain a correct export from the data provider.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .GPKG file?

GeoPackage is an open, OGC-standard container format built on SQLite 3, typically saved with the .gpkg extension. The file is a SQLite database with required tables and metadata that define how vector features, tiles/raster, and related geospatial information are stored and interpreted.

Background

Since a GeoPackage is a SQLite database, it can be versioned, copied, and moved like a normal file while still supporting structured queries and multiple datasets. However, correct interpretation depends on the GeoPackage schema and the OGC rules defined in the specification.

Common MIME types: application/geopackage+sqlite3

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .GPKG format.

Common .GPKG issues

The file opens as a database, but no layers appear in a GIS app

A .gpkg is a SQLite database; if it does not follow the GeoPackage schema (or contains unexpected tables only), GIS software may not show any layers even though the database opens.

  1. Try opening it in QGIS via the GeoPackage/SQLite data source workflow and look for selectable layers inside the file.
  2. If it still shows no layers, verify the file is actually an OGC GeoPackage (not just a generic SQLite database renamed to .gpkg) and obtain a correct export from the data provider.

Vector layer loads but raster/tiles do not (or vice versa)

GeoPackage can contain different kinds of content; some tools handle certain GeoPackage content types better than others. QGIS supports GeoPackage as a container for both vector and raster, and GDAL documents GeoPackage raster/tiles support, but not every workflow is symmetric.

  1. Open the file in QGIS and try adding it as both a Vector and a Raster source to see which layers are present.
  2. If raster tiles are involved, test with a GDAL-enabled toolchain that supports GeoPackage raster/tiles and re-export if needed.

The file is locked or changes do not save

Because GeoPackage is SQLite-based, concurrent access can lead to database locks or write failures, especially if multiple programs open the same .gpkg for editing at once.

  1. Close other applications that might be using the same .gpkg and reopen it in a single editor (for example, one QGIS session).
  2. Copy the .gpkg to a local drive (not a shared/network location) and edit the local copy, then replace the original if needed.

FAQ

Is a .gpkg just a SQLite file?

Yes. GeoPackage is based on SQLite 3, but it must follow the OGC GeoPackage schema and rules to be a compliant GeoPackage.

Can a GeoPackage store multiple layers?

Yes. A single .gpkg can contain multiple vector layers and can also store raster/tiles; it is designed as a container format.

How do I convert a .gpkg to another GIS format?

Use GIS tools that support GeoPackage (for example QGIS or GDAL-based tools) to export individual layers to other formats, choosing vector or raster exports depending on the layer type.

What is the official media type for GeoPackage?

IANA lists a GeoPackage-related media type: application/geopackage+sqlite3.

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