The Unarchiver is a free, lightweight, and highly capable file extraction tool for macOS that supports far more archive formats than the built-in macOS Archive Utility. Whether you're working with ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, ISO, or obscure legacy formats, The Unarchiver is your go-to solution for uncompressing and exploring archived files.
It's a must-have app for users who deal with downloaded files, cross-platform archives, or older compressed formats.
📦 What Is The Unarchiver?
The Unarchiver is a small utility app designed to decompress and extract files from a wide variety of archive formats. Unlike the macOS default Archive Utility, The Unarchiver is built to handle complex and less common formats, including password-protected archives and multi-part files.
🔓 Supported Formats
The Unarchiver can handle virtually all popular and obscure formats, including:
- Common formats: ZIP, RAR (including v5), 7z, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2
- Disk images: ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG
- Old/legacy formats: StuffIt, LZH, ARJ, ARC, HQX
- Other formats: CAB, XAR, RPM, DEB
This makes it perfect for developers, researchers, or users who often receive files from various operating systems.
🛠️ How to Install & Use
🔽 Installation:
- Download it for free from the Mac App Store or from The Unarchiver website.
- Drag it into your Applications folder if using the website version.
- Open it and set file associations for formats you'd like it to handle.
📁 Usage:
- Right-click (or double-click) any supported archive file and choose “Open With > The Unarchiver”.
- It will automatically extract the contents to the same folder or a custom path (as configured).
- You can batch extract multiple archives as well.
⚙️ Features & Customization
- Set default extraction folder
- Choose to keep or delete original archives
- Supports password-protected archives
- Extracts split archives (e.g., .r01, .r02) automatically
- Localized in many languages
✅ Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free and lightweight
- Supports an impressive range of archive formats
- Simple, clean UI
- Fast and reliable performance
- No ads or bloat
Cons:
- Doesn’t create/compress archives (only extracts)
- No advanced management or preview tools
- Minimal support for cloud drives or automation
👤 Ideal For
- Everyday Mac users who need more than ZIP support
- Developers or archivists working with obscure file types
- Anyone downloading or sharing files from Windows/Linux systems
- Users looking for a fast, hassle-free decompression tool
🖥️ Compatibility
- macOS High Sierra and later, including Ventura and Sonoma
- Works on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
🔚 Conclusion
If you’re frustrated by macOS’s built-in Archive Utility or constantly run into archive formats it doesn’t support, The Unarchiver is the solution. Fast, free, and highly compatible, it opens practically anything you throw at it. For users who value simplicity and functionality in a single tool, The Unarchiver is an essential addition to your Mac software toolkit.