Zipping and unzipping files on a Mac (zip and rar)

Making or extracting a zip file on a Mac is very easy, because macOS can do it without extra programs. You make a zip in two clicks. For rar files, or to put a password on a zip, you need a little more. This article explains how to zip and unzip files on your MacBook, how to deal with rar and 7z, and what to do when extracting fails.

Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam. We write practical guides like this for anyone who wants more from their Mac.

Making a zip

1. In the Finder, select the file, folder or several files.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) and choose Compress.
3. A zip file appears in the same folder. With one file it is named after that file; with several it is called "Archive.zip".

Right-clicking on a trackpad: see right-clicking on your MacBook.

Extracting a zip

Double-click the zip file. Archive Utility extracts it in the same folder. The contents appear as a folder or as separate files. The zip file itself stays; you can delete it afterwards. If you want the extracted files somewhere else, simply drag the folder to the right place in the Finder. Downloaded zips usually land in the Downloads folder.

Rar, 7z and other archives

macOS cannot open rar and 7z itself. WinRAR has no normal Mac app. Use a free extraction app from the App Store instead, such as The Unarchiver or Keka. After installing, you can open rar, 7z and other files with a double-click. Preferably install apps from the App Store or the maker's official website, not from download sites.

A zip with a password

The Finder cannot put a password on a zip. Terminal can:

1. Open Terminal and go to the right folder, for example with cd ~/Desktop.
2. Type zip -er protected.zip foldername and press Return.
3. Enter a password twice.

Note: zip encryption is not very strong. For sensitive files an encrypted disk image via Disk Utility is better. See opening and using Terminal.

Zips for Windows users

A zip from a Mac sometimes contains an extra "__MACOSX" folder and hidden ".DS_Store" files. They are harmless, but Windows users do see them. To avoid that, use an app that makes "clean" zips, or make the zip in Terminal with the option to exclude those files.

Extracting fails

• "Unable to expand": the file may not have downloaded completely. Download it again.
• The archive is large and your drive is nearly full: free up space first.
• A zip in several parts (for example .z01, .z02): put all parts in the same folder and open the first part with The Unarchiver or Keka.
• An app downloaded in a zip is sometimes blocked by macOS. That is protection; only open apps whose source you trust.

Sharing files easily

To send files to someone nearby, AirDrop is often faster than a zip. For large files to someone far away, a link via iCloud Drive works well.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

If extracting keeps failing, your drive is full or slow, or files behave oddly, something may be wrong with the storage. We test your MacBook and tell you what is needed. More on our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Does WinRAR exist for the Mac?

Only as a command-line version. An extraction app from the App Store is easier.

Why is my zip bigger than the original?

Photos, videos and PDFs are already compressed. Zipping helps little then.

Can I open a zip without extracting it?

With Quick Look (space bar) you see the contents of some archives. To edit, you need to extract.