How to Unzip Files on Mac (ZIP, RAR, and 7z)

To unzip a file on Mac, double-click the .zip file — macOS extracts it automatically into a folder with the same name, right next to the original. For RAR and 7z files, install the free The Unarchiver app. On Windows instead? See how to unzip files.

Unzip a ZIP file (built-in)

1. Double-click the .zip file in Finder.
2. macOS’s Archive Utility extracts the contents into a new folder with the same name.
3. Open the new folder to see your files.

That’s it — no extra software needed. Archive Utility is built into every Mac.

Unzip RAR or 7z files

macOS can’t open .rar or .7z natively. Use The Unarchiver (free):

1. Install The Unarchiver from the App Store.
2. Right-click the .rar file → Open With → The Unarchiver.
3. The contents extract to the same folder.

You can also set The Unarchiver as the default for all archive types in its settings, so any .rar/.7z just opens on double-click.

Extract to a specific folder

1. Right-click the .zip file.
2. Choose Open With → Archive Utility.
3. Or extract manually: double-click to extract in place, then drag the folder where you want it.

Open password-protected zips

If the zip asks for a password:

• Double-click it and enter the password when prompted.
• If it’s a .rar/.7z, The Unarchiver also prompts for the password.

You must have the password — there’s no way around encryption.

Other archive tools

macOS handles .zip, .tar, and .gz natively. For everything else:

FAQ

How do I unzip a file on Mac without extra software?

Double-click the .zip — Archive Utility (built into macOS) extracts it automatically.

How do I open a RAR file on Mac?

Use the free The Unarchiver app, since macOS doesn’t support RAR natively.

Where do unzipped files go on Mac?

Into a folder with the same name as the zip, in the same location as the original file.

Why can’t I open a 7z file?

macOS doesn’t support 7z by default. Install The Unarchiver or Keka (both free) to open it.

How do I unzip a password-protected file on Mac?

Double-click it and enter the password when prompted. For RAR/7z, The Unarchiver will ask for it too.

Can I unzip a file to a different folder?

Yes — extract it first, then move the resulting folder, or use Archive Utility’s options (right-click → Open With → Archive Utility).

Is unzipping on Mac safe?

Only unzip files from sources you trust — archives can contain malware. Scan them if they came from an unknown sender.

How do I create a zip file on Mac?

Right-click the file or folder → Compress “[name]”. See how to zip a file for every device.

Can I unzip several files at once on Mac?

Yes — select multiple .zip files in Finder and double-click (or right-click → Open). Archive Utility extracts each into its own folder.