{"id":68587,"date":"2026-11-12T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=68587"},"modified":"2026-11-10T16:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:24:15","slug":"how-to-unzip-files-on-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Unzip Files on Mac (and Open RAR or 7z Files)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering how to unzip files on Mac? Good news: you don&#8217;t need WinZip or any paid app. macOS can open ZIP files on its own with a simple double-click, and the built-in Terminal can do it too. Only other archive formats, such as RAR and 7z, need a free extra app. This guide covers every method, including password-protected ZIP files and what to do when a file won&#8217;t open.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-68588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac.webp\" alt=\"Colourful zippers in a row, for a guide on how to unzip files on Mac\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> To unzip a file on a Mac, double-click the .zip file in Finder. macOS expands it with the built-in Archive Utility and puts the unzipped file or folder in the same folder as the ZIP. To unzip in Terminal, type <code>unzip<\/code> followed by the file&#8217;s path. To open RAR or 7z files, install a free app such as The Unarchiver or Keka.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af5caf60283a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af5caf60283a\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_to_Unzip_Files_on_Mac_with_a_Double-Click\" >How to Unzip Files on Mac with a Double-Click<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_to_zip_files_on_a_Mac_the_reverse\" >How to zip files on a Mac (the reverse)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_to_Unzip_Files_on_Mac_Using_Terminal\" >How to Unzip Files on Mac Using Terminal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_to_Unzip_a_Password-Protected_ZIP_File_on_Mac\" >How to Unzip a Password-Protected ZIP File on Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_to_Open_RAR_and_7z_Files_on_Mac_Free_Apps\" >How to Open RAR and 7z Files on Mac (Free Apps)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#The_Unarchiver\" >The Unarchiver<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#Keka\" >Keka<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#Why_Wont_My_Mac_Unzip_a_File\" >Why Won&#8217;t My Mac Unzip a File?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#Common_ZIP_Files_You_Will_Unzip\" >Common ZIP Files You Will Unzip<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#Can_you_unzip_files_on_a_Mac_for_free\" >Can you unzip files on a Mac for free?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_do_I_unzip_files_on_Mac_with_Terminal\" >How do I unzip files on Mac with Terminal?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_do_I_unzip_RAR_files_on_a_Mac\" >How do I unzip RAR files on a Mac?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_do_I_open_a_7z_file_on_Mac\" >How do I open a 7z file on Mac?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#How_do_I_unzip_a_file_with_a_password_on_Mac\" >How do I unzip a file with a password on Mac?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/11\/how-to-unzip-files-on-mac\/#Where_do_unzipped_files_go_on_a_Mac\" >Where do unzipped files go on a Mac?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Unzip_Files_on_Mac_with_a_Double-Click\"><\/span>How to Unzip Files on Mac with a Double-Click<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is the fastest way, and it works on every recent Mac, from a MacBook Air to an iMac. Apple&#8217;s own steps in the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/mac-help\/zip-and-unzip-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp2528\/mac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mac User Guide<\/a> are short:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <strong>Finder<\/strong> and go to the folder that holds the ZIP file (downloads usually land in the <strong>Downloads<\/strong> folder).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Double-click the .zip file.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The unzipped file or folder appears in the same folder as the .zip file.<\/li>\n<li>If you no longer need it, drag the original .zip file to the Trash.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Behind the scenes, macOS uses <strong>Archive Utility<\/strong>, a small app built into the system, so there is nothing to install or update.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_zip_files_on_a_Mac_the_reverse\"><\/span>How to zip files on a Mac (the reverse)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Making a ZIP is just as easy. Control-click (or right-click) a file or folder in Finder and choose <strong>Compress<\/strong> from the menu. A single item becomes a ZIP with the same name plus .zip; if you select several items, the ZIP is called <strong>Archive.zip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Unzip_Files_on_Mac_Using_Terminal\"><\/span>How to Unzip Files on Mac Using Terminal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Terminal is handy when you want to choose where the files go, unzip many files at once, or work on a Mac you control over SSH. macOS includes the standard <strong>unzip<\/strong> command.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <strong>Terminal<\/strong> (Applications &gt; Utilities &gt; Terminal, or search for it with Spotlight).<\/li>\n<li>Go to the folder with your ZIP, for example: <code>cd ~\/Downloads<\/code><\/li>\n<li>Unzip it into the same folder: <code>unzip photos.zip<\/code><\/li>\n<li>Or unzip it into a folder you choose with the <strong>-d<\/strong> option: <code>unzip photos.zip -d ~\/Desktop\/photos<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Tip: instead of typing a long path, type <code>unzip<\/code> and a space, then drag the ZIP file from Finder into the Terminal window. The full path is filled in for you. Press Return to run it.<\/p>\n<p>To see what is inside a ZIP without extracting anything, use <code>unzip -l photos.zip<\/code>, which lists the contents.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Unzip_a_Password-Protected_ZIP_File_on_Mac\"><\/span>How to Unzip a Password-Protected ZIP File on Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A ZIP file can be locked with a password by whoever created it. You need that password from the sender; there is no legitimate way around it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Terminal:<\/strong> run <code>unzip secret.zip<\/code> as above. When the file is encrypted, Terminal asks for the password. Type it (nothing shows on screen as you type) and press Return.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free app:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/keka.io\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keka<\/a> supports password-protected archives, so it is a good choice for encrypted 7z files too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Open_RAR_and_7z_Files_on_Mac_Free_Apps\"><\/span>How to Open RAR and 7z Files on Mac (Free Apps)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Archive Utility is made for ZIP files. For RAR, 7z and other formats, install one of these free apps from their official pages.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>App<\/th>\n<th>Price<\/th>\n<th>Opens<\/th>\n<th>Best for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>The Unarchiver<\/td>\n<td>Free<\/td>\n<td>ZIP, RAR (incl. RAR5), 7z, Tar, Gzip, ISO and many more<\/td>\n<td>Just opening files<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Keka<\/td>\n<td>Free from its website (paid on the Mac App Store to support the developer)<\/td>\n<td>7z, ZIP, RAR, Tar, DMG, ISO and many more<\/td>\n<td>Opening and creating 7z or encrypted archives<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Unarchiver\"><\/span>The Unarchiver<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theunarchiver.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Unarchiver<\/a>, made by MacPaw, is a free app with no in-app purchases. It opens Zip, Zipx, RAR, 7z, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, XZ, CAB, ISO and BIN disc images, split files (.001, .002) and many older formats such as StuffIt. It is also on the <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/the-unarchiver\/id425424353?l=en&amp;mt=12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mac App Store<\/a> (macOS 10.13 or later).<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Install The Unarchiver from its website or the Mac App Store.<\/li>\n<li>Double-click a RAR or 7z file in Finder, or Control-click it and choose <strong>Open With &gt; The Unarchiver<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keka\"><\/span>Keka<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Keka is a macOS file archiver that can both extract and create archives. It extracts 7Z, ZIP, ZIPX, RAR, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, DMG, ISO, CAB, CPGZ and more, and it can create 7Z, ZIP, TAR, DMG and ISO files. When you set a password, Keka uses AES-256 encryption for 7z files. The download on its website is free; buying it on the Mac App Store is the same app and supports its development. The current version needs Mac OS X 10.10 or newer.<\/p>\n<p>To use it, drag a RAR or 7z file onto the Keka icon, or Control-click the file and choose <strong>Open With &gt; Keka<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Wont_My_Mac_Unzip_a_File\"><\/span>Why Won&#8217;t My Mac Unzip a File?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple suggests two checks when a ZIP won&#8217;t open:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Free up space.<\/strong> The unzipped files can be much bigger than the ZIP, so make sure your Mac has enough free storage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Get a fresh copy.<\/strong> If someone sent you the file, it may be damaged or only partly downloaded. Download it again, or ask the sender to zip it again and resend it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the file is actually a RAR, 7z or another format with the wrong name, Archive Utility may not be able to open it: try The Unarchiver or Keka instead. Copying archives to a USB stick? Our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/01\/how-to-format-usb-pen-drives\/\">how to format a USB flash drive on Windows 11 and Mac<\/a> walks you through it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_ZIP_Files_You_Will_Unzip\"><\/span>Common ZIP Files You Will Unzip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once you know how to unzip files on Mac, you&#8217;ll use it often, because many downloads arrive as ZIP files: fonts, photo albums, game mods and data exports. For example, when you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/08\/download-all-twitter-tweets\/\">download all your Twitter tweets<\/a>, X sends your archive as a ZIP file, which you can open with a double-click as above. And if you want to show someone the steps, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/10\/how-to-screen-record-on-mac\/\">screen record on your Mac<\/a> for free.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_unzip_files_on_a_Mac_for_free\"><\/span>Can you unzip files on a Mac for free?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. macOS opens ZIP files for free with Archive Utility: just double-click the file. You don&#8217;t need WinZip or any other paid app.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_unzip_files_on_Mac_with_Terminal\"><\/span>How do I unzip files on Mac with Terminal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Open Terminal, go to the folder with <code>cd ~\/Downloads<\/code>, then type <code>unzip filename.zip<\/code>. Add <code>-d<\/code> and a folder path to extract the files somewhere else.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_unzip_RAR_files_on_a_Mac\"><\/span>How do I unzip RAR files on a Mac?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>macOS can&#8217;t open RAR files on its own. Install a free app such as The Unarchiver or Keka, then double-click the RAR file or use Open With.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_open_a_7z_file_on_Mac\"><\/span>How do I open a 7z file on Mac?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Use The Unarchiver or Keka. Both are free and open 7z files; Keka can also create them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_unzip_a_file_with_a_password_on_Mac\"><\/span>How do I unzip a file with a password on Mac?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Run <code>unzip<\/code> on the file in Terminal and type the password when asked, or open it with Keka. You need the password from whoever created the file.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_do_unzipped_files_go_on_a_Mac\"><\/span>Where do unzipped files go on a Mac?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you double-click a ZIP, the unzipped item appears in the same folder as the ZIP file, usually your Downloads folder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering how to unzip files on Mac? Good news: you don&#8217;t need WinZip or any paid app. macOS can open&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":68588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-68587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68587"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70167,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68587\/revisions\/70167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}