What is MIME type "text/x-vmessage"?

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

text/x-vmessage is a MIME type for files that store SMS messages in a structured, text-based format. It is used to capture saved messages from Nokia devices, recorded in a VMG file format.

Messages in this format include details like sender information, timestamps, and the message content. The text is encoded in Unicode, which allows for a wide range of characters.

Main use: Backing up and restoring SMS messages on Nokia devices.
Key fact: It stores both message data and metadata using a text structure.
Additional use: Data interchange between SMS management tools and for debugging SMS backups.

Files with this MIME type can be read with any text editor. However, a specialized parser is needed to interpret the message structure properly. For more technical details about MIME types, see MIME on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.vmg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: text/x-vmessage

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.vmg

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.