WinRAR is one of the leading programmes to compress files on Windows, Mac, and Android devices.The latest version of free WinRAR download supports various file formats, including ZIP, RAR, TAR, ISO, LZH, CAB, ARJ, UUE, ACE, and RAR5. See full list on diffen.com.
Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
When Phil Katz invented the Zip file format over 30 years ago, it's highly arguable if he ever imagined his invention would see such profound and widespread use. Zipping files for Mac entails you take several files and compress them into a single file, all the while reducing the overall size of the resultant single file. How convenient is that?
Knowing how to Zip or Unzip files for Mac should thus be a prerequisite for you. If you don't know how to go about doing it, have a look below for an extensive lesson.
Part 1: What Is a Zip File on Mac
Zip is simply a data archive and compression format. Rar is very similar to the Zip but they are quite different too. For one, Zip files were invented long before Rar, meaning there are more software out there capable of opening and decompressing Zip files because it is a standard file format.
Along the same vein, compatibility is also a difference. Because the Zip format is older, both Windows and Mac come pre-installed with software that is capable of opening it. The same can't be said for the Rar format because it often requires third-party software to be opened. The Zip file format is a free and open-source, making it more popular. Thus, the majority of users have software that can open Zip files primarily. And when it comes to the archive creation process, its speed is relatively faster than that of the Rar format.
Zip files are well and truly capable of saving over 80% or more of the space in your Mac's hard drive. Do you now see the marked difference between the two formats?
Part 2: How to Zip a File on Mac for Free
You might ask yourself if knowing how to create and open Zip files are really worth taking the time out to know. Well, ask yourself these questions too: Don't you want to reduce email-transmission time? And wouldn't it be great to save many emails despite your mailbox's space limit? What about the time it takes to upload or download files via the web?
Zipping a file on Mac gives you great solutions to these questions. It uses a native tool called 'Archive Utility' that does the job for you. There are several ways to the Zip file on Mac. Some are free but there are paid options too (third-party software). Only the free solutions will be given out to you today, though. You're welcome.
How to Zip a File on Mac
1. Open a Finder window, then locate the file or folder you want to zip.
2. Right-click on the said file or folder.
3. Select 'Compress' in the drop-down menu you see. The file is then Zipped while the original is left just the way it was.
How to Create Zip Files and Folder on Mac
1. Open a Finder window.
2. Make a folder for the file or files you want to Zip.
3. Highlight the newly-created folder.
4. Click on 'File' in the top menu bar.
5. In the drop-down menu that appears, click on 'Compress.' A zip file will be created in the same directory as the original folder.
How to Zip Files Using Mac Terminal
You can Zip your files in Mac's Terminal in different ways, but the simplest method will be outlined here for you.
1. Open up a Finder window.
2. Open up Terminal by typing in 'Terminal' at the search bar located on the top right part of your screen.
You can also launch Terminal from your Mac's 'Applications/Utilities' folder.
3. Either way, you will see the program. Click on it to launch it.
4. If the Zipped file is not located on your desktop, move it to the desktop (it's more convenient in this way).
5. Type this command in the Terminal and leave a space: zip
6. Drag and drop the file (s) to be Zipped into the Terminal's window.
7. Press 'Enter/Return'. The files will be compressed and Zipped into a single file.
How to Zip Files with Password on Mac
1. Choose the file you want to Zip and right-click on it (to make it easier, make sure the file is on your desktop).
2. Select 'Compress.'
3. Open up a Finder window.
4. Navigate to your Mac's 'Utilities.'
5. Find and click on 'Terminal' to launch it.
6. Type in these commands in the Terminal: zip -er archive_name target_folder
7. A popup window will appear, prompting you to enter a password (you will have to enter the password twice; the second time will be for verification). Type in the secure password and click on 'OK' or press 'Enter/Return.' Your Zipped files are now password-protected.
Part 3: How to Unzip and Open Files on Mac for Free
Knowing how to zip files on Mac is good and fine but sometimes, the files you want are already Zipped. This is especially true if you downloaded the files from the web.
The internet of yesterday is not the same as the internet of today. More and more of the files uploaded to websites come in Zipped formats to make downloads faster and easier. So, what happens when youdownload these files but don't know your way around opening them? Bummer. That is just one reason why knowing how to open zip files on your Mac is now a necessity. But just like Zipping files, Unzipping them is quite easy too. There are, of course, different ways you can do that. Here are a few:
How to Unzip files on Mac
Method 1 (Archive Utility):
1. Navigate to wherever the Zipped file is (your desktop, downloads, etc.)
2. Double-click on the file. Because 'Archive Utility' is integrated into your macOS, the Zipped file will automatically open up and dump the contents into a folder bearing its name; the folder will be in the same directory as the Zipped file too.
Method 2 (Archive Utility):
1. Move your cursor over to the Zipped file or files and select them.
2. Right-click on them.
3. Select 'Open.' The Zipped archive will be extracted into a folder that's in the same directory as the archive.
Method 3 (Terminal):
1. Open up a Finder window.
2. Launch Terminal by typing in 'Terminal' at the search bar on the top-right section of your Mac's screen. Click on it to launch it.
3. Type this command in the Terminal: unzip {the name of the Zipped file}.zip
4. If the Zipped file is not located on your desktop, move it to the desktop because it makes things easier and faster for you. This is not necessary but it is advised, or else you have to type in the directory of the Zipped file before typing in its name. Like so:
unzip ~/Downloads/example.zip
5. Press on 'Enter/Return'. The contents of the Zipped file or files will be Unzipped to the same directory as the Zipped file.
Method 4 (Terminal)
Maxima machine. You can Unzip multiple files all at once into a single directory using Terminal.
1. Open up 'Spotlight.'
2. Type in 'Terminal' and then launch it.
3. Type the following commands in Terminal:
cd /Users/phil/Downloads/folder_with_zips
(The above command is to navigate to where your multiple Zipped files are. Input the right directory as proper. In the above example, the Zipped files are in 'Downloads').
unzip *.zip
(This is the command that will Unzip the multiple files)
4. Press 'Enter/Return.' All the files will be Unzipped simultaneously.
Part 4: How to Recover Deleted Zip Files on Mac
Try as you may, it's almost impossible for you to use your Mac without Zipping your files for one reason or another. Even if you don't download much from the internet, it can be quite tempting to want to Zip your files simply because you're well aware it will save your hard drive much-needed space.
Likewise, it will be nearly impossible for you to not delete your Zipped files; again, for several reasons. Maybe you didn't do it intentionally, or maybe you did, but then you realize you want the Zipped files back for one or various reasons.
Look no further than Recoverit Mac Data Recovery to be your one and only savior. It comes loaded with features that thoroughly scan your drive for deleted Zipped files and recovers them back to their exact state. And this is all achieved with a few simple steps:
Step 1: Choose a Location
- Open up Recoverit and choose the hard disk to be scanned. The disk should be where the deleted Zipped files had once been in. Click the 'Start' button.
Step 2: Scan the Location
- The scan will begin. After it's done, a window will display a preview of the deleted Zipped files. You can select and deselect filters during the scan to make your search quicker.
For instance, you can use 'File Type' or 'File Path' to alter your search and make judicious use of time. You can pause or stop the scan before it completes too; that's a feature that easily makes the operation even more convenient, wouldn't you agree?
Step 3: Preview & Recover Data
- A window will open up where you will see a preview of the deleted Zipped files to be recovered. Choose the files.
- Click on the 'Recover' button located below and to the right. Your Zipped files will be recovered.
- As a final note, you are advised to save the recovered ZIPPED files in a secondary location and not the one they were initially deleted from.
Isn't Recoverit Mac Data Recovery the most user-friendly software you've seen? The three steps are so simple even a child could do it: Choose a drive, scan it, preview your files, and recover them.
Part 5: How to Fix Zip File on Mac
There are those rare but alarming situations when your Zipped files get corrupted. This is an unavoidable flaw on computers. Fortunately, it's fixable.
Zip Or Rar For Mac Download
As to why the Zipped file got corrupted in the first place, it's possible the files within the Zip were already damaged; or an error occurred while downloading the file from the web. Below are common errors plaquing Zip files.
Unable To Expand Zip File on Mac - This error is mostly caused by an unstable internet connection. If your network keeps going on and off while you're downloading a Zipped file, the end result could be a corrupted archive.
The problem could also stem from you, the user. You might have been too hasty in closing the web browser while the Zipped file was still downloading, consequently corrupting it.
Sometimes, even if you manage to completely download the Zipped file, don't be surprised to learn it's few megabytes short of the size it's supposed to be. Because of those missing megabytes, your entire Zipped file could be corrupted.
The Archive is Corrupted – Believe it or not, even exposing your Mac to magnetic fields or excessive temperatures and mechanical problems could also corrupt a Zipped file. Likewise, unzipping very large files can also corrupt them.
End-of-Central-Directory Signature Not Found – Here's another pervasive error. The probable reason you will see this error is because of the incomplete download of a Zipped file. Another possible reason is the file was one part of a multi-part archive, and the other components are missing.
All the same, the most important thing for you here is to know how to repair corrupted Zipped files, isn't it? These errors can be fixed via Terminal or any decompression utility software, which of course will be a third-party software:
Method 1 (Terminal):
1. Launch Terminal on your Mac.
2. Type this command in the Terminal: unzip ~/Downloads/example.zip
(Replace the 'Downloads' you see in the above example with the directory of your Zipped file. If it's in your Downloads folder too, then leave the command as it is.
Method 2 (Unarchiver):
1. Go to your Mac App Store, download Unarchiver, and install it.
2. Open it.
3. Drag your files into the square, blank space on the left side of the software.
4. Click on 'Decompress.' Your files will be extracted. This software can even succeed where Terminal fails.
Closing Words
By now, you should fully agree with the infinite Mac users out there and on how significant Zip files are. No more are they deemed less important than other software. Indeed, the majority of websites hosting files do so with the files being Zipped.
What's more, you don't have to worry about the state of your Zipped files and the multitude of important files you have within them because of what Recoverit Mac Data Recovery can do for you. This software can be something of an 'insurance' for your Zipped files. If anything befalls them, Recoverit will be there to help recover ZIP and RAR files.
What's Wrong with Mac
- Recover Your Mac
- Fix Your Mac
- Delete Your Mac
- Learn Mac Hacks
Unlike Windows, macOS can handle ZIP archives natively, but for other archive types like RAR and 7-Zip, you’ll need a third-party app. Getting a quality RAR or ZIP file ready on your computer can make a world of difference when you’re trying to keep your data organized while avoiding taking up too much disk space. But it is often tough for Mac users to find a quality program that can help with getting these files ready. After all, WinRAR is not available on Mac and this kind of puts us in a quandary. But that’s where these good WinRAR alternatives for Mac users can come in handy.
You don’t have to struggle with trying to get RAR or ZIP files ready on your computer when you have a great program that lets you create those files while also unpacking files you might find. Besides, there is no real reason why Mac users should not be able to get their files packed into RAR or ZIP files.
Read: How to reduce PDF size without losing quality
WinRAR Alternatives For Mac
1. The Unarchiver
Does the Unarchiver sound like a strange name for a WinRAR alternative for Mac users? Maybe it is, but the Unarchiver is perfect for your work. With the Unarchiver, you can handle more file formats than the Archive Utility program that Mac OS X comes with.
This is a free open source program that works quickly as a basic option. Consider this if you just want something that is generally no-frills but still works with support for more file types than what OS X can already work with. On a related note the Unarchiver stores all of the files/folders within reach, unlike Apple’s archive tool that hides it in CoreServices folder. The app is also available on App store.
Pros: Supports files with foreign characters, does not use lots of system resources.
Cons: Does not work on OS X 10.6 or lower, does not compress files. Also, it doesn’t let you extract individual files from a full zip/rar/iso file.
Zip Rar Mac 10.6.8
Price: Free
2. The Archive Browser
The Unarchiver only allows you to extract the full zip/rar/iso file. If you want to see the list of contents and let you extract individual files, then go for “The Archive Browser” — another app made by the same dev.
Like The Unarchvier, it can handle a large number of different archive formats, but on top of them, it also lets you easily peek into the archive, find the files you need, preview and extract them without unarchiving everything.
Pros: Can extract single files from the archive and works with almost every different archive format including the older ones like StuffIt, DiskDoubler, LZH, ARJ, and ARC.
Cons: It’s a paid software
Price: $3.99
3. Keka
While 7- Zip is not officially available on macOS, Keka is the best 7zip alternative you can find. The app is a ported version of the 7-Zip, so you’ll be able to extract 7z, Zip, Tar etc, along with other popular archive formats like RAR, Zip, Tar, ISO, EXE etc.
The app is free to download from the official website, but if you want to download the App Store you’ll have to shell out $2. We haven’t tried the App store version, so can’t really say if it spots some new feature. That said, the version downloaded from the official website offers faster compression, compared to other apps in the list.
Pros: Faster compression. You can also specify different compression level like you do with 7- zip. It also supports Password protection.
Cons: You have to drag and drop files to compress them, which may or may not be intuitive depending on how you like to use your compression app.
Price: Free Email hack for mac os.
4. WinZip Mac Edition
Don’t assume that WinZip is just a Windows-only program. WinZip has been running a Mac version of its program since 2010. It works with many of the functions that WinZip has supported since it was first introduced in 1991. But the user interface on WinZip Mac Edition is cleaner than what the Windows version offers.
It lets you choose from many file formats including not only the RAR and ZIP formats but also the LHA, Zipx and 7Z formats. You can also preview the contents of a file before opening it through WinZip. You can also share your files with Dropbox, iCloud Drive and Google Drive among many other cloud-based programs. WinZip Mac Edition lets you get all those files linked up to a database with ease.
Pros: Does well with Mac application bundles, simple and easy to use, does not use lots of memory.
Cons: Relatively lesser options for compressing files. Pricey
Price-Free Trial/$30 for Premium
5. BetterZip
It is very easy to organize your files with BetterZip. If anything, you can use this if you have a regular need for handling files at the workplace as this works with a faster interface for keeping it working well. You can add or delete files from your archives fast. You can rename files or even move them into different folders. BetterZip reviews your changes and adjusts the files accordingly to ensure everything stays intact and can be read well enough as you open up your files.
You can open and edit ePub files and even get images off of PDF or Flash files. DMG files can also be extracted or opened through the BetterZip program. You have the option to work with a quick look option too so you can preview everything inside the unit.
Pros: Simple preview interface, review all photos before you extract a file.
Cons: Takes a bit long for the program to load up previews.
Price:Free Version/ Paid costs $24.95
6. Zipeg
You can use another free option in Zipeg. It is another bare-bones option but it is fine if you simply want a program you can use right now without having to get through lots of technical stuff just to make it work. But you might be impressed with how flexible the program is as it works with many types of files.
Zipeg works for not only common file formats but also for rare ones like CPIO, ARJ, LHA and WAR files. You can move over each file in a package to get a quick preview of it before you open up the entire pack.
Pros: Simple and intuitive design, works with Gmail and Facebook files, works fast.
Cons: Not as intensive as some other options on the market.
Price-Free
7. iPackr
iPackr has not gone through many updates since it was first released in 2011, but it is still useful for when you are aiming to get your files compressed and opened up the right way. iPackr gives you added help for getting files open quickly and effortlessly. You can compress ZIP and 7Z files and then decompress them and RAR files. The 64-bit computing feature on iPackr helps you to open files quickly.
Pros: Drag and drop support, works for many volumes on a single archive.
Cons: Does not compress RAR files although it can decompress them, not much for a preview feature.
I encountered some sluggishness while unpacking RAR files
Price: Free
8. SimplyRAR
SimplyRAR is the last of the options for you to see when finding a great archiver for your Mac needs. However, this is a program that has not been updated in a while, what with the company that built SimplyRAR no longer being operational. But the good news is that SimplyRAR is stable and should work well for your needs when getting files ready.
The SimplyRAR, you can right-click on a RAR or ZIP file and automatically get it opened up through SimplyRAR. You can use this quickly without using up lots of resources on your computer.
Pros: Simple design, easy to use for many file formats.
Rar Zip Files Free Download
Cons: Does not have any updates coming
Installation issues on latest macOS High Sierra
Price-Free
Wrapping it up: WinRAR Alternatives
No wonder you need a great WinRAR alternative if you want to get your ZIP and RAR files read well enough. You as a user should not have to struggle with trying to compress files or by opening up such files as you see fit.
For 90 percent of Mac users, The Unarchiver should be sufficient. Keka is another good choice if you are looking a free 7-zip alternative to Mac that supports password protection and different level of compression.
The choices that are available offer many ways for you to get more out of a program without being a challenge for you to utilize or handle in any form.
Read: Compress Videos for YouTube Without Lossing Quality