Zipping and unzipping files on Mac is a simple and convenient way to save space, send files over the internet, or backup your data. In this blog, I will show you how to use the built-in Archive Utility tool, as well as a third-party alternative, to compress and decompress files and folders on your Mac.
How to Zip Files and Folders on Mac
To zip files and folders on Mac, you can use the Finder app and the Compress command. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the Finder app and locate the files or folders that you want to compress.
- If you want to compress multiple items, hold the Command key while selecting them.
- Right-click on the selected items and choose Compress from the shortcut menu.
- A new compressed file will appear in the same folder as the original items. It will have the name of the original item with the .zip extension, or Archive.zip if you compressed multiple items.
- You can rename the compressed file by clicking on it and pressing the Return key.
How to Unzip Files and Folders on Mac
To unzip files and folders on Mac, you can use the Archive Utility tool and the double-click method. Here are the steps to follow:
- Locate the .zip file that you want to unzip in the Finder app. If you downloaded it from the internet, it might be in the Downloads folder.
- Double-click on the .zip file to unzip it. The unzipped item will appear in the same folder as the .zip file.
- If the .zip file contained a single file or folder, it will have the same name as the original item. If it contained multiple items, it will have the name of the .zip file without the .zip extension.
How to Change Archive Utility Settings
If you want to customize the behavior of the Archive Utility tool, you can access its preferences and change some settings. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open Spotlight on your Mac by pressing Command+Space.
- Search for Archive Utility and open it.
- Click on the Archive Utility menu and choose Preferences.
- In the Preferences window, you can change the default destination for compressed and uncompressed files, as well as choose to move archived files to the Trash or delete them after expanding.
Third-Party Alternative: The Unarchiver
If you need more features or want to unzip different formats such as RAR, 7z, Tar, and so on, you can try The Unarchiver, a free and popular app for Mac. Here are the steps to follow:
- Download and install The Unarchiver from the App Store or from its official website1.
- Open The Unarchiver and choose which formats you want it to open by default.
- Locate the file that you want to unzip in the Finder app and right-click on it.
- Choose Open With and select The Unarchiver from the list of apps.
- The Unarchiver will unzip the file and place it in the same folder as the original file.
Learn more