# Could not open database file in DB Browser for SQLite

**URL:** <https://discuss.zetetic.net/t/could-not-open-database-file-in-db-browser-for-sqlite/6739>\
**Category:** Issues\
**Created:** [November 14, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://discuss.zetetic.net/t/could-not-open-database-file-in-db-browser-for-sqlite/6739 "2024-11-14T18:01:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![KamTata](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.zetetic.net/kamtata/32/2330_2.png) [@KamTata](https://discuss.zetetic.net/u/KamTata)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://discuss.zetetic.net/t/could-not-open-database-file-in-db-browser-for-sqlite/6739/1 "2024-11-14T18:01:52Z")

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Hello!

I have the latest nightly of DB Browser for SQLite from here [SQLite-universal.dmg](https://nightlies.sqlitebrowser.org/latest/DB.Browser.for.SQLite-universal.dmg).  
I’m trying to open an encrypted database file in DB Browser for SQLite. I open the file, enter the password and then the window closes, but there are 0 tables and an error in the logs:

> (26) file is not a database in “SELECT COUNT(\*) FROM sqlite\_master;”  
> (21) API called with NULL prepared statement  
> (21) misuse at line 91676 of [c9c2ab54ba]

That file opened successfully in my android app. I create it like this:

```groovy
    implementation "net.zetetic:sqlcipher-android:4.6.1"
    implementation "androidx.sqlite:sqlite-ktx:2.4.0"
    implementation "androidx.room:room-runtime:2.5.1"
    kapt "androidx.room:room-compiler:2.5.1"

```

```kotlin
                System.loadLibrary("sqlcipher")
                val factory =
                    SupportOpenHelperFactory(password.toByteArray(Charsets.UTF_8))
               Room.databaseBuilder(
                            applicationContext,
                            EncryptedDatabase::class.java,
                            "db_name.db",
                        ).openHelperFactory(factory)
                        .build()

```

I try to check it in DB Browser for SQLite and can’t do it. What is can be error?

 ![Снимок экрана 2024-11-14 в 21.01.03](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/zetetic/original/2X/5/52df04abf9639cc6dd898eca488325f4ea06d5c5.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sjlombardo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.zetetic.net/sjlombardo/32/3_2.png) [@sjlombardo](https://discuss.zetetic.net/u/sjlombardo)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://discuss.zetetic.net/t/could-not-open-database-file-in-db-browser-for-sqlite/6739/2 "2024-11-18T18:32:24Z")

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@KamTata - there isn’t enough information here to say what the problem is. You could try building the SQLCipher command line tool, and see if you can open up the database that way. We don’t author the DB Browser for SQLite, so it might be better to open up this ticket with that project:

> **[Issues · sqlitebrowser/sqlitebrowser](https://github.com/sqlitebrowser/sqlitebrowser/issues)**
>
> Official home of the DB Browser for SQLite (DB4S) project. Previously known as "SQLite Database Browser" and "Database Browser for SQLite". Website at: - Issues · sqlitebrowser...

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**Author:** ![Amal\_A\_Bolland](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.zetetic.net/amal_a_bolland/32/2392_2.png) [@Amal\_A\_Bolland](https://discuss.zetetic.net/u/Amal_A_Bolland)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://discuss.zetetic.net/t/could-not-open-database-file-in-db-browser-for-sqlite/6739/3 "2025-03-23T17:44:10Z")

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Hi.. I need help with an encrypted database n sql that I need to access the messages on. All I see now is jibberish. And I have changed my password over 10 times and none of them work. Any suggestions? thanks.

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**Author:** ![sjlombardo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.zetetic.net/sjlombardo/32/3_2.png) [@sjlombardo](https://discuss.zetetic.net/u/sjlombardo)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 1:23am UTC](https://discuss.zetetic.net/t/could-not-open-database-file-in-db-browser-for-sqlite/6739/4 "2025-03-24T01:23:46Z")

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@Amal_A_Bolland - no, like the OP there isn’t enough information here to say what the problem is. There isn’t even enough information to confirm the database is using SQLCipher.