Extract text from System and backup files (EFS)
To convert EFS Backup files to another format, you need eSignal or other System software.
To convert other file formats to the "Encrypted File System Data" file type, you need software like eSignal or a similar tool.
The .EFS file extension represents several distinct, highly technical formats. Most notably, it acts as an Encrypted File System backup for Android devices, a Windows NTFS encrypted file, or an eSignal Formula Script. On Android devices, the EFS partition holds crucial hardware data like the IMEI number, Wi-Fi MAC address, and baseband information. Enthusiasts back up this data using tools like EFS Pro or TWRP before flashing custom ROMs. Microsoft Windows uses .EFS for files locked with file-system level encryption. In the financial sector, traders use .EFS files for proprietary algorithmic trading scripts. Additionally, .EFS can denote a CAdES digitally signed PDF document.
These formats suffer from severe accessibility and portability disadvantages. Windows and Android EFS files are fundamentally locked behind device-specific encryption keys. You cannot simply open them on a different computer; if you lose the certificate, the data is permanently gone. eSignal scripts are proprietary text files locked to an expensive subscription platform. Standard converters fail because they cannot bypass encryption or interpret proprietary script syntaxes.
If your .EFS file is an uncompiled trading script, converting it to a standard TXT file is the best approach to read the source code. Android EFS backups are often just standard container files; converting them to TAR or ZIP allows you to extract the internal file structure. Signed CAdES documents can typically be restored to standard PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Because .EFS files frequently rely on system-level encryption or proprietary engines, they are notoriously difficult to convert. Often, only the original hardware, decryption key, or native software can properly read the data. However, just drag and drop your file to identify the format, view the internal hex data or text strings, and convert it when possible using convert.guru. If our analysis detects a supported underlying or embedded format, viewing or extraction may still be possible.
Use Convert.Guru to open and convert your EFS file.
Users also converted $EFS, EPS, PDF, SAGE, AHK, RB and EF files.
If you want to convert EFS file to EF, MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WMA, M4A, AIFF, OPUS, ALAC or APE, you can use eSignal or similar software from the "Encrypted Data & Script Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MIDI, AAC, TTA, AU, WV, DTS, MID, FLAC, RA, MP3, PCM or WAV files to EFS, try eSignal or another comparable tool in the "Encrypted Data & Script Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our EFS converter.