Since iOS 11, it has been possible to unzip or compress files on Apple iOS products within the default Files app. This means that zipping and unzipping files on iOS is very easy and there’s no risk doing it on your iOS device.
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Aug 07, 2019 The Best Third-Party App to Unzip Files on Mac- Unarchiver Using third-party apps is always a good idea when you know which one is the best, safest and most reliable option. There are many apps present in the Apple Store to decompress files on Mac, but my personal favorite and the best considered one among them all is- Unarchiver.
The process is straightforward and will take just a few minutes to learn. For those that want more control over the archives they create, we’ll also suggest some alternative apps you can use to zip and unzip files on iOS.
How To Unzip Files On iOS
First, you’ll need to have your archive file on your iPhone. You can download this in Safari, via email, or from contacts on instant messaging apps. Simply tap the file link and a message prompt will ask you whether you’d like to download it. Tap download and the file will be saved to your files app.
- Swipe down from the home screen to access search.
- Search for Files and tap the Files app when it appears.
- You can find the recently downloaded zip file by tapping recents or by searching for the file name.
- Next, navigate to the location that the .zip file was saved to. Long press the .zip file and new options will appear. Tap Uncompress and the files will be uncompressed into a new folder.
- On an iPhone, the original .zip file will remain after uncompressing it. To delete it, long press the .zip file and press delete.
How To Zip Files On iOS
If you’d like to zip files up on an iPhone, it’s very simple. First, you’ll need to move the files you’d like to compress into a single folder.
- Create the folder by swiping down in the Files app.
- Tap the three dots icon on the left side.
- Tap New Folder – give it a name and tap done
Now that you have a folder, it’s time to move your files to it. Repeat step 1 and 2 for each file you’d like to add to your new zip file.
- Find the file in your files app, long press it and tap move.
- Tap the folder you just created.
- Repeat the steps above for each file.
- Once you’ve moved all of your files, long press the folder you created and a list of actions will appear.
- From here, tap Compress. The Files app will automatically create a new .zip file for you that you can send to others, transfer to other devices, or keep on your iPhone.
Why Should You Create Zip Files On iOS?
Creating a .zip file is a process known as compressing. It gets that name for a reason. When you zip files together, the files are compressed and the overall file size is reduced. This means that you can store more files on your phone by zipping files together.
When you are ready, you can decompress archives and the content of the zip archive will be added to your device in their original quality. If you have thousands of photos or videos, creating archives could be a great way to save storage space.
You must remember that file browsers and apps cannot access the files in the archive until they are decompressed again. You should only archive files if you know you aren’t going to be accessing those files regularly.
Zipping files can also be a great way to send files to others. It’s very easy to zip together multiple files and folders into one archive, then send that single archive via email or instant messaging. If you try to send multiple files and folders without archiving them first, you’ll find that it’ll take a lot of time to send over each file manually.
As .zip archives reduce the overall size of files, you can use zipping to reduce upload and download times for files that you share too.
Alternative Zip & Unzip Apps On iOS
Whilst you can use the default Files app on iOS to zip and unzip files, if you want more control, you can use an alternative app from the App Store.
These apps can add new archive file formats, introduce encryption, or add passwords to your zip files.
Before we showcase these apps, please remember that these are third party apps so we cannot expect as smooth of an experience as the default Files app. With third party apps, ads or in-app purchases must be expected.
iZip
iZip has a straightforward file browser with plenty of advanced features in the settings menu. You can browse for specific categories, such as files, photos, audio and documents. You can also browse files via Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive.
With this approach, it can be difficult to select multiple folders at once, or multiple files of different file types. Instead, you’ll need to go through and select files of similar file types and archive them together.
For example, you can select multiple videos at once, or multiple selfie photos at once, but not both types together.
Once you’ve selected files, you can then tap to zip them in iOS and a new archive will be created immediately. To unzip files, simply tap an archive and you’ll be prompted to decompress them.
To change the settings for zipping files, tap the settings button in the top right. From there you can choose what settings you’d like to automatically apply each time you create a zip archive.
iZip isn’t perfect, but it is relatively unobtrusive with its ad placements and the functionality works well, even if you have to tap through more menus to get to the features you need.
Unzip
Unzip is an archiving app that has been designed to be as simple as possible to use. Tap an archive file and it will automatically uncompress without any other menus or prompts. By default, Unzip also has very limited access to your files, so if you are worried about privacy, Unzip is a great option.
To gain access to more files, you must press the + button at the top right and tap import photos or import music. You can then select which files or photos to import. A permission request will appear every time you request new files.
If you want to add a passcode lock for your archives and remove ads, you must purchase the pro version for $1.99. Alternatively you can purchase each feature (ad removal and passcode lock) for $1. Without this, the ads can be a bit intrusive – you have regular 5 second unskippable ads and banner ads at the bottom of the app.
To create a zip file, you must tap the edit button in the top right, then tap to select the files you’d like to archive. When archiving, you have the option to add standard password protected encryption too.
In summary, Unzip is far simpler than iZip and there’s more control over what files it accesses – you get less control over archive file type or compression settings, but it’s a great alternative for those that want to unzip files at the tap of a button.
Summary
Did this article help you to learn how to unzip and zip files on iOS? Have any questions for us or tips of your own? Join in the comments section below and we’ll see you there.
Jun 08, 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 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 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 Zip a 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 the desktop (it’s more convenient 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)
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
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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 a number of 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Step 2: Scan the Location
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
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 of computers. Fortunately, it’s fixable.
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 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.
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2. Open it.
3. Drag your files into the square, blank space on the left side of the software.
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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.
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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.
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