How to Open a Zip File: 4 Easy Step-by-Step Methods

This wikiHow guide shows you how to open and extract a ZIP file on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. ZIP files are used to compress files into smaller versions, making them easier to store and transport. In order to view and use a ZIP file's contents in the proper format, you'll need to extract (or "unzip") the ZIP file to a regular folder. Fortunately, Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all come with the built-in ability to unzip ZIP files.

Things You Should Know

On Windows, double-click a ZIP file, then click “Extract All” in File Explorer.
On Mac, double-click a ZIP file to extract it to the same folder location.
On iPhone, find the ZIP file in the Files app and tap it to extract the contents.
On Android, find the ZIP file in the Files by Google app. Then tap the file and select “Extract.”

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

On Windows

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1
Right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All. This will open a new window with extraction options. This method uses Window's built-in file extraction feature to open the ZIP file. This works for Windows 8, 10, and 11.
- If you want the extracted files folder to open automatically, check the "Show extracted files when complete" box.
- Note that if you've installed a 3rd-party file archiver, you may have the option to extract the ZIP file using that software as well.
- Opening a RAR file on Windows will require additional software.
2
Select an extraction location if necessary. By default, your ZIP file will extract its contents to the same folder in which it is located (e.g., if the ZIP file is on the Desktop, the extracted folder will also appear on the desktop). If you want to extract the folder to a different location, do the following:
- Click Browse... to the right of the text box in the middle of the window.
- Select a folder.
- Click Select Folder in the bottom-right corner.
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3
Click Extract. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so extracts the ZIP file's contents into a regular folder.
- Need to make a ZIP file? Check out our expert guide to making ZIP files here.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

On Mac

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1
Move the ZIP file if necessary. Unzipping a ZIP file on Mac is easy using the built-in tool! The ZIP file's contents will automatically extract to the folder in which the ZIP file is located. To copy the ZIP file to a different location, do the following:
- Click the ZIP file to select it.
- Click Edit at the top of the screen.
- Click Copy in the drop-down menu.
- Go to the folder where you want to extract the ZIP file.
- Click Edit, then click Paste in the drop-down menu.
Doing so will prompt the ZIP file to begin extracting into a regular folder in your current location.
3
Wait for the extracted folder to open. Once the ZIP file finishes extracting, the new folder will open to display the extracted files.
- If you’re trying to send a lot of files to someone, you can zip the file folder and email the compressed ZIP file.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

On iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

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It’s a blue folder icon on a white background. iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch have a built-in ability to unzip files.^{[1]
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Research source}
If the ZIP file was downloaded directly to your device, tap On My iPhone under the “Locations” section. Then look through your folder to find the ZIP file.
3
Tap the ZIP file. This will immediately extract the contents of the ZIP file to a new folder in the same file location.
- You can rename the folder by tapping and holding down on the folder, then selecting Rename.
This will display the files extracted from the ZIP file.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

On Android

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1
Download the ZIP file if necessary. If the ZIP file isn't already on your Android, you should be able to download it by going to its location and tapping its download link. This will place the ZIP file in your Android's "Download" folder.
- If the ZIP file is in Google Drive, long-press the ZIP file, then tap Download in the resulting menu.
- If the ZIP file is in Gmail, tap the "Download"
  icon next to the folder's name in the email.
It’s a blue rectangle in front of a green rectangle.^{[2]
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This will allow you to find the ZIP file.
It will typically be in your “Downloads” folder.
This will show you the contents inside the file.
A preview of the files will appear on screen.
A folder with the files extracted from the ZIP file will appear in the same location as the ZIP file.
This will display the extracted files.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I open a password protected zip file?

Community Answer

If you forgot the password, this will be very difficult. You can download a zip password cracking program and try to decrypt the password, but it will take days or even months to work.

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Question

How do I open a ZIP file on Android?

Community Answer

Download a ZIP-management app from the Google Play Store.

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Question

How do I open zip files on my iPhone?

Community Answer

Install a zip opener app. Just check the app store and download one.

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Tips

You can delete a ZIP file after extracting its contents.

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Warnings

While you may be able to see and open a ZIP file's contents while the ZIP file is compressed, the files may appear corrupted or otherwise incomplete until you extract them.

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