PHL File Extension

PHL file icon

Kindle Popular Highlights Format

What is a PHL file?

Files with the PHL extension are specifically tied to Kindle Popular Highlights Format, a Developer Files type, and there are 1166 files in this category.

The Kindle Popular Highlights Format (PHL) was developed by Amazon, which created file format and 5 programs to work with them.

PHL file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Mac OS. To open a PHL file, you can choose from 8 programs such as Eclipse, Atom and Adobe Dreamweaver.

How to open a PHL file?

If you cannot open a PHL file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.

Thanks to their popularity, Eclipse, Atom and Adobe Dreamweaver are often the go-to programs for managing PHL files. If you need the newest version of Sublime Text, just access the Sublime HQ Pty website. From there you can download the installer compatible with all systems.

Once Sublime Text is installed, the OS should configure it as the default tool for opening PHL files.

Make Sublime Text the default PHL viewer

Change the default app to open files on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired PHL file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
  2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
  3. Towards the bottom of the window, find the "Enable" menu, which is already set to the default option, "Recommended Programs";
  4. In this menu, select "All Programs" and search for Sublime Text. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default option.

Change a default app in Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your PHL file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
  2. Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Sublime Text as the application to associate with your PHL file;
  3. Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Finding answers to PHL file problems

If PHL files are giving you trouble, small modifications to your software can help. Check out the troubleshooting tips below to fix these issues.

What can lead to sudden Sublime Text crashes?

Insufficient updates for Sublime HQ Pty products can cause Sublime Text to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software updates.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

What is the recommended approach to repair a damaged PHL file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged PHL file, and in the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Wait for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically restore the damaged developer files.

What are the ways to check if my PHL file is damaged?

Characteristics of corrupted PHL developer files can include:

  • The file encounters problems during the opening process or shows error indications;
  • Editing the archive in Atom is hampered by poor overall performance;
  • The file causes Sublime Text or other software to hang or crash during various operations;
  • An unexplained increase in the size of the PHL file;
  • Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;

How to edit a PHL file?

To modify PHL files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit developer files. Online PHL editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Kindle Popular Highlights Format.

Best PHL editors 2026

According to these factors, we have compiled a list of available PHL editors.

PHL Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
EclipseEclipseWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.7 out of 5 (38 reviews)
PSPadJan FialaWindows4.7 out of 5 (41 review)
Notepad++Notepad++ TeamWindows4.6 out of 5 (37 reviews)
Sublime TextSublime HQ PtyWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.6 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Adobe DreamweaverAdobeWindows, Mac OS4.5 out of 5 (38 reviews)
Zend StudioZend TechnologiesWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.3 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Atom-Windows, Mac OS, Linux4.1 out of 5 (36 reviews)