What is MIME type "application/x-pocket-word"?

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

application/x-pocket-word is a MIME type used for Pocket Word document files. It defines how files created by Pocket Word version 1 are packaged and interpreted, especially on mobile devices with limited resources.
It helps applications correctly identify and process these files.

This format supports basic text and minimal formatting details. It is most often encountered when opening or transferring legacy mobile documents. Files of this type are commonly saved with the PSW or PWD extension.

Main Use Case: Handling simple text documents on handheld devices.
Key Functionality: Ensures proper reading and display of basic word-processed text.
Additional Uses: Useful in legacy file conversion and mobile document archiving.

For further details on MIME types and related formats, check out the MIME specification on Wikipedia or the IANA Media Types registry.

Associated file extensions

.psw, .pwd

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-pocket-word

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-pocket-word">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/x-pocket-word');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.psw, .pwd

FAQs

How do I open a file with the application/x-pocket-word MIME type?

Files with this MIME type, typically ending in .psw or .pwd, are legacy documents created by Pocket Word for Windows CE. You can often open them using Microsoft Word (with legacy converters installed) or open-source suites like LibreOffice. If direct opening fails, use a dedicated file conversion tool to convert them to .doc or .docx.

How do I configure Apache to serve Pocket Word files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct Content-Type header, add the following directive to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/x-pocket-word .psw .pwd. This prevents the server from misidentifying the files as generic binary data or plain text.

Why does my browser download the .psw file instead of displaying it?

Modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not include a rendering engine for application/x-pocket-word. Because the browser cannot natively display the proprietary Pocket Word format, it defaults to downloading the file so you can open it with a desktop application.

What is the difference between application/x-pocket-word and application/msword?

While application/msword is used for standard desktop Microsoft Word documents (.doc), application/x-pocket-word is specific to the stripped-down mobile version used on Pocket PCs. Pocket Word files support fewer formatting features and use a different binary structure optimized for low-resource devices.

Is application/x-pocket-word a standard IANA media type?

No, the x- prefix indicates that this is a non-standard or experimental subtype. It was defined by Microsoft for the Windows Mobile ecosystem and is not officially registered in the IANA Media Types registry, unlike standard types such as text/plain or application/pdf.

Can I convert application/x-pocket-word files to PDF?

Yes, but you usually cannot do it directly without opening the file first. You must open the .psw or .pwd file in a compatible word processor (like LibreOffice Writer) and then use the "Export to PDF" function to save it as application/pdf.

What Nginx configuration is needed for .pwd files?

For Nginx, you should update your mime.types file or add a types block within your server configuration. Add the line application/x-pocket-word psw pwd; to ensure the server delivers these files with the correct MIME type headers to clients.

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.