.IMI file extension

To open .IMI files on Windows, if you have ImageMeter for your workflow, transfer the .IMI to a device running ImageMeter and import it there (the IMI is intended to be imported into ImageMeter for editing).

To open an .IMI file, use the ImageMeter app and import the file for continued editing. On desktop systems, an .IMI may also be inspected as a ZIP container, but the measurements/annotations are typically only usable inside ImageMeter.

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Last updated: June 10, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

What “reviewed” means on this page

Format fit: whether the “what is this file?” description matches common real-world use of the extension, including category, typical MIME types, and aliases.
Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps; we remove fantasy menus and unsafe shortcuts.
Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
Sources and further reading: whether external links point to vendors, standards bodies, or other primary references where possible; we avoid inventing details we cannot ground.
Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless.

Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.

Open on your device

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

How to open .IMI files

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

Windows

If you have ImageMeter for your workflow, transfer the .IMI to a device running ImageMeter and import it there (the IMI is intended to be imported into ImageMeter for editing).
If you only need to inspect contents, try opening the file with a ZIP tool (rename is not required) to extract embedded images, understanding annotations/measurements may not be usable outside ImageMeter.

Full Windows guide

Mac

Transfer the .IMI to a device running ImageMeter and import it in ImageMeter to continue editing.
For basic inspection only, use Archive Utility or another ZIP tool to open the container and extract embedded images (editable measurement data is typically ImageMeter-specific).

Full Mac guide

Linux

Import the .IMI on a device running ImageMeter if you need the editable measurements/annotations.
To inspect contents, open it with a ZIP tool (e.g., your file manager’s archive handler) and extract images; expect ImageMeter-specific data to remain unusable in generic apps.
If you manage file associations, map .imi to application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip using your desktop’s shared MIME database mechanisms.

Full Linux guide

iOS

In ImageMeter, use the app’s import/open workflow to load the .IMI so you can continue editing on that device.

Full iOS guide

Android

In ImageMeter, import/open the .IMI file (often via the system file picker or share sheet) to continue editing.

Full Android guide

Security notes

.IMI is a ZIP container (application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip). Treat it like any archive: it can contain multiple embedded files, so only open or extract it if you trust the source.
If you extract the archive, be cautious with any unexpected embedded content (the format is intended for images plus measurement data, but archives in general can be used to disguise unwanted files).
Prefer importing/opening IMI files in ImageMeter for the intended use; unpacking with generic tools increases the chance of mishandling files or losing context (and may expose you to whatever is inside the archive).

What can hide inside an archive

Compressed packages can contain executables or scripts you only see after extraction. Double extensions and nested archives are common tricks. Scan unexpected downloads before unpacking, and extract to an empty folder so you can review contents safely.

Avast

Avast offers free and premium antivirus software that protects against viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing. Scan files before opening them to ensure safety.

Norton

Norton 360 delivers comprehensive antivirus protection, VPN, and identity theft monitoring. Scan files for threats before opening to keep your device secure.

We may earn a commission when you use affiliate links. This supports our free file extension guides.

Can't open this file?

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

Common reasons

The file opens as a generic ZIP or shows only images (measurements missing)
Cannot import/open the .IMI in ImageMeter
Wrong app association when double-clicking .IMI

Fix steps

Open/import the .IMI in ImageMeter to see and edit the measurements/annotations.
If you only need the base photo/PDF, extract the images with a ZIP tool and open them in a standard viewer.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .IMI file?

.IMI is registered as the media type application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip and is technically a ZIP container. It contains image data (such as JPEG, PNG, or PDF) along with ImageMeter’s annotation/vector/measurement information. It is designed for transferring and continuing work between ImageMeter installations/devices.

Background

IMI files are produced by ImageMeter, an app focused on photo measurement and annotation workflows. ImageMeter can export projects as “ImageMeter Image (IMI)” so the result can be imported on another device and continue to be edited.

From a technical perspective, the format is standardized enough to be registered with IANA as application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip, explicitly describing it as a ZIP container holding both the underlying image(s) and the measurement/annotation data. This makes IMI files easy to transport and store, while keeping everything needed for editing in one package.

In practice, you will most often encounter .IMI when someone shares an editable ImageMeter project, or when you create a backup/export for moving work between devices. While generic tools can unpack the ZIP container to view embedded images, they generally will not recreate the full editable measurement layer without ImageMeter.

Common MIME types: application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip

Common .IMI issues

The file opens as a generic ZIP or shows only images (measurements missing)

An .IMI is a ZIP container; generic archive/image tools can extract or preview the underlying images but usually cannot interpret ImageMeter’s measurement/annotation layer.

Open/import the .IMI in ImageMeter to see and edit the measurements/annotations.
If you only need the base photo/PDF, extract the images with a ZIP tool and open them in a standard viewer.

Cannot import/open the .IMI in ImageMeter

The file may be incomplete, corrupted, or not actually an ImageMeter IMI (misnamed extension).

Re-download or re-transfer the file and try importing again (transfer interruptions can corrupt ZIP containers).
Confirm it is an ImageMeter export (“ImageMeter Image (IMI)”) from the sender and not a different file type renamed to .imi.

Wrong app association when double-clicking .IMI

Because the format is ZIP-based, operating systems may associate .IMI with archive utilities instead of ImageMeter (or may not recognize it at all).

Open the file from within ImageMeter using its import/open function rather than relying on double-click behavior.
On Linux/desktop environments, consider adding an association for application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip so the system recognizes the type.

FAQ

What app opens .IMI files?

.IMI is an ImageMeter “Image” export. You typically open it by importing it into ImageMeter to continue editing measurements and annotations.

Is an .IMI file just a ZIP?

Yes. IANA registers it as application/vnd.imagemeter.image+zip, meaning it is a ZIP container that includes image data (e.g., JPEG/PNG/PDF) plus ImageMeter’s measurement/annotation/vector data.

Can I convert an .IMI by renaming it to .zip?

Renaming may let some tools treat it as a ZIP for extraction, but it won’t “convert” the project into a universally editable format. Use ImageMeter to export/share in the appropriate way depending on what you need.

Why can I see the photo but not the measurements?

The photo is standard image/PDF content, but the measurement/annotation layer is stored as ImageMeter-specific data inside the container and usually requires ImageMeter to interpret and edit.

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