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What is The Unarchiver?
The Unarchiver is a free macOS utility for opening compressed archives. Its core job is to extract files from formats the built-in macOS tool won't handle—most notably RAR, including encrypted and multi-volume archives—alongside Zip, 7z, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, LZMA/XZ, CAB, MSI, and many disc images (ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG, CDI). It also reads archives named with non-Latin characters, which trips up plenty of other tools.
Who it suits
- Everyday Mac users who receive
.raror.7zfiles and don't want to buy a commercial extractor. - People handling mixed or legacy formats—StuffIt, DiskDoubler, self-extracting
.exearchives—where breadth of support matters more than polish. - Anyone opening archives with foreign-language filenames, since that's an explicit design goal.
Where it's less suited
- StuffIt X and DiskDoubler are only partially supported, so obscure features and some old compression methods may fail.
- Disc images are described as "extensive" rather than complete, so unusual raw images may not unpack cleanly.
- Windows or Linux users need a different tool; this is macOS-only.
A practical next step
If a download won't open, try The Unarchiver before assuming the file is corrupt—RAR and 7z are the usual culprits on a clean Mac. Set it as the default handler during install so double-clicking any archive just works. For a second opinion on format coverage, 7-Zip is the long-standing reference implementation on Windows, and its format list is a useful cross-check when an archive fails here. If a specific .exe self-extractor or disc image is refused, the project's bug tracker is the right place to report it rather than hunting for a workaround.
How do I set The Unarchiver as the default app for opening archive files on macOS?
Open The Unarchiver once after installing it, then set it as the handler for the archive types you actually use. macOS does not offer one global "default archive app" switch; you change the default per file type.
Steps
- Install The Unarchiver and launch it once so macOS registers it.
- In Finder, select an archive of the type you want to change (for example a
.zipor.rarfile). - Choose File → Get Info (or press ⌘I).
- Expand Open with, pick The Unarchiver, then click Change All… and confirm.
- Repeat for each format you routinely open, such as
.7z,.tar,.gzor.iso.
You only need to do this for formats you encounter often. Rare formats can be opened by right-clicking the file, choosing Open With → The Unarchiver without changing the system default.
Practical notes
- The site describes a "quick install" that sets The Unarchiver as the default for all archive files in a few clicks; the Finder method above is the manual equivalent and gives you finer control.
- Changing the default for
.zipaffects every zip file, including ones you might prefer to open in Finder's built-in Archive Utility. If you rely on the native tool for some workflows, leave.zipalone and set The Unarchiver only for formats macOS cannot handle, such as RAR. - If The Unarchiver does not appear in the Open with list, launch the app directly once, then reopen the Get Info window.
For a reader who mainly downloads RAR and 7z files, the simplest approach is to set defaults for just .rar and .7z and leave zip to macOS.
Can The Unarchiver open password-protected or encrypted RAR and ZIP files?
Yes. The Unarchiver handles encryption in both RAR and ZIP archives. On the official page, the ZIP entry lists support for AES encryption, and the RAR entry says it supports encryption and multiple volumes. So a password-protected RAR or AES-encrypted ZIP is within its stated scope, not just plain archives.
What that means in practice
- You still need the password. The app extracts encrypted archives; it does not recover or crack passwords. If you don't have the password, an encrypted RAR or ZIP will fail to open regardless of the tool.
- Encrypted RAR is the main reason many Mac users install it. macOS's built-in Archive Utility does not open RAR at all, so a password-protected RAR is a case where The Unarchiver does something the native tool simply can't.
- ZIP is a narrower advantage. macOS can already unzip ordinary ZIP files. The Unarchiver's edge is AES-encrypted ZIPs, Zip64 large-file support and unusual compression methods — the situations where the built-in tool stumbles.
A quick way to decide
If your task is "open this encrypted RAR a colleague sent" or "extract this AES ZIP that macOS refuses," The Unarchiver is a reasonable free choice. If you only ever handle standard, unencrypted ZIPs, the built-in utility is enough and you don't need a second app.
For command-line or scripted extraction of encrypted archives, a terminal tool may suit you better than a GUI. If you want a broader archiving app with compression and format conversion, Keka is a known alternative on macOS.
One practical note: encrypted archives often arrive alongside split volumes (.part1, .part2 and so on). The Unarchiver lists multi-volume RAR support, so keep all parts in the same folder and open the first one.
How does The Unarchiver compare to the built-in macOS Archive Utility for extracting files?
The Unarchiver is a free Mac app built to open the archive types macOS's own Archive Utility can't handle, most notably RAR. Where Archive Utility covers the basics—Zip, and some standard formats—The Unarchiver adds broad format support, encryption handling and foreign-character filenames. For most everyday unzipping the two behave similarly; the difference shows up when you hit a file Archive Utility refuses to open.
Where they differ
| Aspect | Archive Utility (built-in) | The Unarchiver |
|---|---|---|
| RAR and multi-volume RAR | Not supported | Full support, including encryption and volumes |
| 7z, Zipx, LZMA/XZ, CAB, MSI | Limited or none | Full support claimed for common methods |
| Disc images (ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG, CDI) | Not a focus | Extensive, normal and raw |
| Self-extracting EXE (Zip/RAR-based) | No | Can extract these |
| Encrypted Zip (AES) | Limited | Supported |
| Non-Latin filenames | Can garble names | Handled |
| Old formats (StuffIt, DiskDoubler) | No | StuffIt full, StuffIt X partial, DiskDoubler near-complete |
| Cost | Included with macOS | Free, no in-app purchases |
Practical reading
The site's own comparison—"times more powerful than the native macOS utility"—is marketing, but the format list backs up the core claim. The honest trade-off is that Archive Utility is already there and needs no install; The Unarchiver is worth adding only if you regularly receive RAR, 7z, disc images or Windows self-extractors. Coverage is uneven at the edges: StuffIt X is partial (JPEG compression unsupported) and some EXE self-extractors may fail, so a rare file can still stump it.
Next step: if a colleague sends you a .rar or a .7z and double-clicking does nothing useful, install The Unarchiver and set it as the default for those types; keep Archive Utility for plain .zip if you prefer the system behavior. For a concrete test, try a multi-volume RAR set—that's the clearest case where the built-in tool simply can't help.
What should I do if The Unarchiver fails to extract a specific EXE, StuffIt X, or disc image file?
Start by identifying which of the three cases you have, because the page's own support levels differ. The Unarchiver describes broad but not complete coverage for EXE self-extractors, only partial support for StuffIt X, and "extensive" support for disc images. A failure means you've hit the edge of that coverage, not that you did something wrong.
Match your next step to the file type
| File type | What the page claims | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| EXE (self-extracting) | Many kinds supported, but some are not | Try a second extractor that specializes in installers, such as 7-Zip on Windows or Egnyte-style online converters only if the file isn't sensitive; otherwise open it in a disposable VM |
| StuffIt X | Partial: some obscure features and JPEG compression unsupported | Fall back to a dedicated StuffIt tool or an older Mac with the original expander; expect some archives to stay unreadable |
| Disc image (ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG, CDI) | Extensive, normal and raw | Mount the image in macOS Disk Utility or a virtual drive tool before assuming extraction failed; some images are meant to be mounted, not unpacked |
Concrete steps
- Confirm the file isn't truncated or misnamed. A partial download is the most common cause of "unsupported format" errors.
- Update to the current release. The page lists version 4.3.9 (18 Mar 2025) for macOS 10.13 or later, so older builds may lack fixes for newer variants.
- For EXE files, remember these are Windows installers. Extraction often yields the payload, but some use custom packers no general tool reads.
- For StuffIt X, treat failure as expected for JPEG-compressed or obscure variants and look for the original StuffIt Expander.
- For disc images, try mounting first. If mounting fails, check whether the image uses a raw or unusual sector format.
Decision criterion
If the archive contains data you need and two tools fail, verify the file's integrity with a checksum before spending more time on extractors. If it's intact and still unreadable, the format variant is likely outside any free tool's support, and the practical route is the original application that created it.
Is The Unarchiver really free, and does it work on older macOS versions?
Yes. The Unarchiver is free, and its page says it will stay free with no in-app purchases for extra features. It also runs on older Macs: the current download is version 4.3.9 and requires macOS 10.13 or later, with a separate link for earlier versions.
What "free" covers
The free app handles the core job without a paid tier: opening and extracting archives, setting itself as the default handler for archive files, and reading archives with non-Latin filenames. If your needs are unzipping, opening RAR, 7z, Tar, ISO and similar files, there is nothing to buy.
Older macOS
- macOS 10.13 or later: use the latest version (4.3.9).
- Earlier than 10.13: the page points to an older build rather than dropping support entirely.
That matters if you keep an old Mac around for light work or a secondary machine. Check your version under → About This Mac before downloading, and use the earlier-versions link if you are below 10.13.
Practical scenario
Suppose you inherit a 2012 MacBook running an old macOS and need to open a RAR file someone sent you. The current build will not install, but the older-version link gives you a working extractor without a subscription. On a newer Mac, the same app can be set as the default so double-clicking any archive just opens it.
Decision criterion
If you only need occasional extraction and already run a recent macOS, the built-in Archive Utility covers Zip but not RAR; The Unarchiver fills that gap for free. If you need features like archive creation or advanced repair, that is a different tool category—this app is focused on extraction.
For the exact download and the older-version link, see The Unarchiver.
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