If you don’t know how to open an HTML file on iPhone, Android, Windows or macOS, we are going to help you out. We will show you several solutions, both native and third-party applications to open an HTML file on smartphones and computers.
How to open HTML files on Windows?
If you want to open an HTML file in Windows, I will show you some tools that will allow you to open this type of file both through web browsers and through editing tools.
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer
You can use Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer for this task. In fact, they allow you to open an HTML file without the need to install third-party web browsing software.
Usually, double-clicking on an HTML file opens it through the browser configured by default in Windows.
If this is the first time you try to open an HTML file, Windows will display a box to choose one of the recommended programs listed.
You can also right-click and select the “Open with” from the context menu, then choose one of the browsers present among the various options.
If you need to open an HTML file with other browsers you can install Google Chrome or Firefox.
Notepad++
If your goal is to view the source code of an HTML file, the best solution I can recommend is Notepad++, it is a free and open-source program that allows you to edit an HTML file.
If you are interested in Notepad++, go to the official website and download the app from the menu that appears on the left.
Now press the download button to download the 32-bit version of the software or use the links in the section below to download the 64-bit version.
After downloading the .exe file, double click on it and press yes on the Windows User Account Control screen. Select English from the drop-down menu to choose the language and then press OK. Now, press the key sequence Next, I accept, Next, Next, Next, Install and finally press Finish to complete the installation.
To use Notepad++ as an HTML file editor, simply select the corresponding item in the context menu that is displayed when you right-click on this type of file. Click on Edit with Notepad ++ and the file will be opened directly with this software.
All changes you make to the HTML file can be tested in real-time through a specific feature of Notepad++. Click on the run entry in the menu bar at the top and select one of the options shown to open the file with one of the indicated browsers, if installed.
Other solutions to open an HTML file on Windows
One example is Adobe Dreamweaver, a paid software developed by the Adobe company, known for its high-quality professional tools, such as Photoshop.
Adobe Dreamweaver allows you to design a website from scratch and professionally, using the integrated automatic creation and compilation tools.
It is recommended for more experienced users but, even beginners can create an HTML page or a complete website, with the help of the numerous tutorials available on the Internet.
There is also other free software such as BlueGriffon or SeaMonkey.
How to open an HTML file on macOS?
You can use the built-in Mac browser to view HTML pages or some third-party tools to edit them. Choose according to your needs.
Safari
If you own a PC with a macOS operating system, you can easily open an HTML file thanks to Safari.
It allows you to browse the Internet and open XML or HTML extensions.
To open an HTML file, simply double-click on it. This way you can start Safari and then view the contents of the selected page.
In addition to Safari, you can install other browsers to open HTML files such as Google Chrome or Firefox.
Brackets
To view and edit the source code of an HTML file, you can use a free and open-source solution, such as Brackets which is available on macOS but also on other operating systems, such as Windows and Linux.
If you are interested in this software, you can download it by going to its official website. Then click on the Download Brackets x.xx button.
After downloading the dmg file, drag the app icon in the Applications folder and enter your Mac password to install.
The changes made to the HTML file can be previewed through the Live Preview function, available by clicking on the files, in the top menu bar.
Other applications to open HTML files on macOS
In addition to the solutions I mentioned in the previous paragraphs, you can install other applications for macOS that allow you to view the source code of an HTML file.
As I have already pointed out to you in this chapter, there are several free or paid programs that can be useful for your purpose: Adobe Dreamweaver, BlueGriffon and SeaMonkey.
How to open an HTML file on Android?
If you do not have the possibility to use a PC to open or edit an HTML file, in the next chapters I will show you some applications that can help you achieve this through an Android phone or tablet.
Android browser
On smartphones and tablets with the Android operating system, opening an HTML page is a procedure that takes only a few minutes.
In fact, this type of file can be opened with any web browser application, such as the Google Chrome browser or the native HTML Viewer tool.
To open an HTML file, find it in the file explorer and tap on it. You can choose the browser to open the file.
HTML Reader/Viewer
Alternatively, you can download a third-party application to view the source code of HTML files. In this case, I recommend the HTML Reader/Viewer application, which allows you to view an HTML file and its source code.
If you are interested in this application, you can download it for free from Google Play Store. Tap the install button. After starting the application, press accept.
On the main screen of HTML Reader/Viewer so tap the folder icon at the top and go to the location where the HTML file is located. After selecting it, it will open immediately, displaying its contents. In case you want to view the source code, tap the </> icon at the top.
Other applications to open HTML files on Android
HTML Editor is a simple and completely free HTML file editor that supports banner ads
anWriter free HTML editor is the most complete editor on this list. In addition to modifying and automatically completing the attributes of the programming language, it has an import and export functionality of HTML files via FTP protocol, to download files from the server and re-upload them with the changes made.
How to open an HTML file on iOS?
In case you have an iPhone or an iPad, to open an HTML file on these devices, you can use the default tools or some third-party applications.
iOS and Safari Preview
The iPhone and iPad come with a built-in feature called Preview. The latter allows you to preview many types of files, including those in HTML format.
If you have downloaded a file in this format on your Apple device it will open the file immediately and you will be able to view its contents.
HTML Viewer Q
Some applications are available on the iOS App Store that allow you to view the source code of an HTML file stored on your device or imported from a URL. This is the case with the free HTML Viewer Q app that allows you, in a few moments, to import an HTML file to analyze its source code.
If you are interested in this application, go to the link I provided and tap the icon get, unlock the download and install via Face ID, Touch ID or iCloud password. Finally, press the open button.
After launching the app, select iCloud Drive, to import an HTML file from this cloud storage.
Since your intention is to open an HTML file, if you have previously uploaded it to iCloud, tap the iCloud Drive voice and select it. By doing so, the file will be imported into the application and you will see its contents. By tapping on the </> icon located at the top left, however, you can view the source code of the selected HTML file.
Other applications to open HTML files on iOS
If the solutions I mentioned to you in the previous chapters do not meet your needs, you can refer to the list of apps for opening HTML files on iOS below.
HTML and HTML5 Editor is a free app that allows you to open HTML files on your device or iCloud.
IEditor is a free editor that modifies different types of files, such as text files or HTML files.
EasyHtml is a free application that allows you to view and edit the source code of an HTML file that is in the memory of the iPhone or iPad.
