How to open a .bin file on iMac

.bin is a fairly generic extension.

This .bin file may not be intended for the Mac to open. Safari may be trying to open it because it thinks that it might be, say, a Mac file encoded using MacBinary II format (to preserve data + resource forks). But seems possible that we're dealing with a process like that for digital cameras, where the idea is to

• Download the .bin file intact
• Place it on a memory card (probably in a top-level directory), according to the printer manufacturer's directions
• Turn the printer off
• Insert the memory card into the printer
• Turn the printer on, and let the printer read the .bin file from the memory card, and carry out the firmware update

The last step might happen automatically, or you might have to go into some printer menu and ask for the printer to carry out a firmware update.

One thread that I found referred to a microSD card and said it couldn't be bigger than 8 GB. I would recommend for the OP to do some searches, especially on the SoVol 3D forums, and maybe ask questions there.

https://forum.sovol3d.com/t/sv06-firmware-update/1788/8

While the idea of having a device install its own firmware updates is very familiar to me, the exact steps needed for this device are as clear as mud.

If you used Safari to download the file, it was most likely within a .zip archive, but Safari's default setting is to open known safe files, so macOS opened the .zip file you likely downloaded & extract its contents which consisted of the .bin file, then macOS discarded the original .zip file making it appear you downloaded the ".bin" file instead. I personally don't agree with this default setting since it causes so much confusion & people end up losing the original archive file in the process. It is possible to modify the Safari setting to never open "safe" files.

Try the following:

1. From Apps > Utilities, launch Disk Utility.
2. Choose "File" > "Open Disk Image" to start.
3. Click "Open" after selecting the bin file you want to view.
4. The bin file will show up on your desktop once it has been mounted.

Bluetarp17 wrote:

Thanks Kauf! As it turns out I was trying to open something that wasn't intended nor needed to be opened. Just shows how un-savvy I am about tech stuff!

There used to be a restaurant in the city where I live called "The Blue Tarp."

They were kind of an unlicensed, informal restaurant in someone's front yard. The city council person and a local real estate developer finally helped them get a real building and navigate the city's rather corrupt License & Inspections department to get licensed. They are still in business and serve great Vietnamese/Laotian food.

So, a fine username!

That is a wonderful story!

See you around the forums!