What is a .KOTLIN_METADATA file?
A .KOTLIN_METADATA file is a special kind of file that gets made sometimes when someone is building an app for Android phones and tablets using a programming language called Kotlin. Kotlin is a popular language for making Android apps, and it's used in special computer programs where developers write and test their apps, like Google Android Studio.
When a developer is almost done making their app and they put everything together into one complete package, called an APK file, sometimes these .KOTLIN_METADATA files get added inside the APK file. These files are like extra information about the app that isn't really needed for the app to work. Because they're not essential and can make the app's file bigger than it needs to be, many people who make apps decide not to include them in the final version of the app that people download.
There aren't any specific programs designed just to open and look at .KOTLIN_METADATA files because they're not meant to be used by themselves. They're more for the app's internal use if needed at all.
For developers who want to make sure these files don't get added to their app by accident, there's a special line of code they can put in their app's settings file (called build.gradle) that tells the app packaging tool not to include .KOTLIN_METADATA files or any similar files. This helps keep the app's size down, making it quicker to download and take up less space on your phone or tablet.
If an APK file does have .KOTLIN_METADATA files, you would typically find them stored in parts of the APK file named "kotlin" and "kotlinx." But remember, for most apps and users, these files aren't something you need to worry about or deal with directly.
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