How to open .POT files on iOS
To open .POT files on iOS, if it is a PowerPoint template, try opening it in a PowerPoint-compatible iOS app; if it does not open, transfer the file to a desktop PowerPoint-compatible app.
Step-by-step instructions
- If it is a PowerPoint template, try opening it in a PowerPoint-compatible iOS app; if it does not open, transfer the file to a desktop PowerPoint-compatible app.
- If it is a gettext .pot, iOS is typically not a great environment for translation workflows—open it as plain text in a text editor app or transfer to a desktop.
Common issues
The .POT file opens as gibberish or unreadable text
This usually happens when you open a PowerPoint .POT (binary legacy format) in a text editor, or when the file is not actually a gettext template.
- If the file came from a presentation workflow, open it in Microsoft PowerPoint (or a PowerPoint-compatible office app) instead of a text editor.
- If you expected a gettext .pot, check that it contains gettext entries (e.g., msgid/msgstr). If not, ask the sender what created the file.
PowerPoint says it cannot open the template or the file is corrupted
Legacy PowerPoint template files are binary and can be damaged by partial downloads, email gateways, or incorrect file transfers.
- Re-download or re-copy the file from the original source (avoid copy/paste through chat tools that may alter files).
- Try opening it on another machine/app to rule out an installation-specific issue.
- If you have access to the original author, ask them to re-export or resend the template.
The file type is misidentified (.POT could be PowerPoint or gettext)
The same extension is used for two unrelated formats; the correct app depends on what the file actually contains.
- Check the origin: presentation/template libraries usually mean PowerPoint; developer/localization repositories usually mean gettext.
- Inspect a copy with a text editor: gettext .pot is readable plain text with msgid entries; PowerPoint .POT is binary and will not be readable.
Linux desktop does not show the right icon/app for .POT
On Linux, file associations are commonly driven by the shared MIME database and desktop settings; ambiguous extensions can lead to the wrong default app.
- Use Open With to pick the correct app (office suite for PowerPoint templates; text editor/translation tooling for gettext templates).
- If needed, adjust your desktop’s file association for .pot, keeping in mind it may be used for two different formats.
Security note
Treat PowerPoint .POT files as potentially risky when sourced from untrusted senders: legacy Office binary formats can be abused via malicious content or parser vulnerabilities, so prefer opening them in up-to-date software.