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EnglishWhat Is The Unarchiver and What Is It Used For?
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The Unarchiver is a free macOS application for opening and extracting archive files. It is used when you need to unpack formats the built-in macOS Archive Utility does not handle well, especially RAR, and it can be set as the default app for archive files so double-clicking an archive opens it directly. It requires macOS 10.13 or later; the latest version listed on the site is 4.3.9 (18 Mar 2025).
What problems it solves
The native macOS utility covers common Zip files but is limited with other archive types. The Unarchiver is positioned as a replacement that supports many more formats and is described on its site as “times more powerful than the native macOS utility.”
Its practical uses include:
- Opening RAR files on Mac, including encrypted and multi-volume RAR archives.
- Extracting Zip and Zipx files, including AES-encrypted zips, Zip64 large-file archives, and WinZip compression modes.
- Unpacking 7z, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, LZMA, and XZ archives.
- Reading archives with non-Latin file names, which the site explicitly lists as supported.
- Handling disc images such as ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG, and CDI.
- Joining split files named .001, .002 and similar, when no extra wrapper format is used.
Supported formats at a glance
The site groups support into full, extensive, partial, and basic levels. The table below reflects what the page states.
| Format | Support level | Notes from the site |
|---|---|---|
| Zip | Full | AES encryption, Zip64, Mac OS extensions, unusual compression methods; can extract Zip-based .EXE self-extracting files |
| Zipx | Full | Supports WinZip's newer compression modes |
| RAR | Full | Encryption and multiple volumes; can extract RAR-based .EXE self-extracting files |
| 7z | Full | Common compression methods and Unix extensions |
| Tar, Gzip, Bzip2 | Full | — |
| LZMA, XZ | Full | Both .lzma and .xz |
| CAB, MSI | Full | MSI support also lets you extract internal data from some DOC and PPT files |
| NSIS | Extensive | Versions from 1.10 onward |
| EXE | Some | Many self-extracting .exe formats; unsupported ones can be reported on the bug tracker |
| ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG, CDI | Extensive | Normal and raw disc images |
| Split files | Basic | Joins .001, .002 files without a wrapper format |
| StuffIt | No encryption | — |
| StuffIt X | Partial | Some obscure features and JPEG compression unsupported |
| DiskDoubler | Almost full | A few old compression methods missing |
How to use it
The site describes a quick install that takes a few clicks and sets The Unarchiver as the default app for all archive files. The general flow is:
- Download the latest version from the site (4.3.9 for macOS 10.13 or later; older versions are linked separately for earlier systems).
- Install it and, when prompted or in its settings, choose to associate archive files with The Unarchiver.
- Double-click an archive to extract it, or use the app to open it directly.
Expected result: the archive's contents are extracted to a folder, and future archive files open in The Unarchiver by default.
Common sticking points:
- If an archive still opens in Archive Utility, the default-app association did not take effect; reassign the file type.
- If an .exe self-extracting archive fails, the site notes that not every variant is supported and suggests reporting it on the bug tracker.
- StuffIt X archives with JPEG compression or obscure features may not extract fully.
Is it the right choice for you?
Choose The Unarchiver if you are on macOS 10.13 or later, regularly receive RAR, 7z, or disc image files, or need to open archives with non-Latin names. It is free, with no in-app purchases for additional features, according to the site.
You may not need it if you only ever open standard Zip files, since macOS already handles those. If you work with unusual StuffIt X archives or uncommon self-extracting .exe files, check the support notes above first, because those areas are listed as partial or limited.