The Unarchiver is a free macOS utility for opening archive formats that Finder’s built-in Archive Utility does not always handle. Assign it as the default opener and it extracts the contents of an archive without turning compression formats into a separate technical problem.
It is especially handy when receiving RAR, 7z, multi-part, old, or foreign-language archives from another platform. Select the archive as usual, let the app unpack it, and return to Finder with the resulting files.
Features
- Extract common archive formats including ZIP, Zipx, RAR, 7z, TAR, Gzip, Bzip2, XZ, CAB, and many disc-image formats.
- Handle features such as Zip AES encryption, Zip64, RAR encryption, and multiple RAR volumes where supported.
- Open a broad set of legacy formats, including StuffIt, ARJ, ARC, Amiga archives, and older compression systems.
- Work with archives whose filenames use non-Latin characters.
- Set The Unarchiver as the default application for archive files through Finder’s Open With controls.
Where it fits
The Unarchiver suits most Mac users who occasionally receive an archive that macOS cannot open. It is a sensible replacement for the built-in extractor when compatibility matters more than advanced controls.
It is not for creating archives or repairing damaged files. Check the developer’s current support table when a particularly old, encrypted, or unusual format is important.
Privacy and requirements
The Unarchiver supports macOS 10.13 or later and processes selected archives locally. Archives can contain misleading filenames, unexpected executables, or paths intended to escape the destination folder, so extraction is not a guarantee of safety. Inspect unfamiliar contents before opening them and review MacPaw's current privacy disclosure for diagnostics or update behavior.
Pricing
The Unarchiver is free to download and use.
QSpace