What is MIME type "application/vnd.symbian.install"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/vnd.symbian.install signals a package designed to install software on devices running the Symbian operating system.

It bundles the necessary installation instructions and resources for the OS installer. The package can include digital signatures to verify its authenticity and integrity.

Installing applications: It provides a complete package that the device uses to install new software.
Ensuring security: Digital signatures help confirm that the package has not been tampered with.
Software distribution: It is the primary method for delivering apps to Symbian devices.

Files with this MIME type are typically distributed as SIS and SISX formats.

For additional details about the platform, consult the resources on Symbian OS.

Associated file extensions

.sis, .sisx

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/vnd.symbian.install

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.symbian.install">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.symbian.install');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.sis, .sisx

FAQs

What is the purpose of the application/vnd.symbian.install MIME type?

This MIME type represents installation packages for devices running the Symbian Operating System, such as older Nokia smartphones. It tells the device that the file (usually a .sis or .sisx file) contains software, themes, or updates that need to be installed via the OS package manager.

How do I configure Apache to serve Symbian install files correctly?

To ensure browsers and devices recognize the file correctly, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main Apache configuration: AddType application/vnd.symbian.install .sis .sisx. This forces the server to send the correct content-type header instead of a generic binary stream.

How do I set up Nginx to handle Symbian SIS and SISX files?

You should modify your mime.types file or the server block configuration. Add the following entry inside the types block: application/vnd.symbian.install sis sisx;. After saving the file, reload Nginx to apply the changes.

What is the difference between .sis and .sisx files using this MIME type?

While both use application/vnd.symbian.install, the .sis extension was primarily used for older Symbian versions (S60v2 and earlier). The .sisx extension was introduced with Symbian S60v3 to mandate digital signatures for improved security, though the underlying MIME type often remains the same for serving purposes.

Can I open application/vnd.symbian.install files on Windows or Android?

You cannot natively run these files on modern operating systems as they are compiled for Symbian architecture. However, you can use Symbian emulators like EKA2L1 on Android or Windows to run the software, or use archive tools to extract the internal resources.

Why do I get a "Certificate Expired" error when installing these files?

This is a common issue with legacy Symbian packages because the digital signature embedded in the application/vnd.symbian.install file has an expiration date. To bypass this on physical hardware, users often had to temporarily set their device's date back to a year when the certificate was still valid.

Why does my browser download the file instead of installing it?

Modern desktop and mobile browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) do not have built-in support for the Symbian OS environment. Consequently, they treat application/vnd.symbian.install as a generic download object, prompting you to save the file rather than executing it.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.