How to Open a Zip File

September 2022 · 5 minute read

This wikiHow teaches you how to open and extract a ZIP folder on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. ZIP folders are used to compress files into smaller versions, making them easier to store and transport. In order to view and use a ZIP...

Method 2 of 4:

On Mac

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    Go to the ZIP folder. Open the location in which the ZIP folder that you want to open is located.

  • Picture 11 of How to Open a Zip File Move the ZIP folder if necessary. The ZIP folder's contents will automatically extract to the folder in which the ZIP folder is located. To copy the ZIP folder to a different location, do the following:
  • Click once the ZIP folder to select it.
  • Click Edit at the top of the screen.
  • Click Copy in the drop-down menu.
  • Go to the folder in which you want to extract the folder.
  • Click Edit, then click Paste in the drop-down menu.
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    Double-click the ZIP folder. Doing so will prompt the ZIP folder to begin extracting into a regular folder in your current location.

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    Wait for the extracted folder to open. Once the ZIP folder finishes extracting, the regular folder to which it extracted will open to display the extracted files.

    • Method 3 of 4:

    On iPhone

  • Picture 14 of How to Open a Zip File Download the Unzip app. This app, which allows you to extract and view ZIP folders' compressed files, is free in the App Store:
  • Open your iPhone's Picture 15 of How to Open a Zip File App Store.
  • Tap Search.
  • Tap the search bar at the top of the screen.
  • Type in unzip, then tap Search.
  • Tap GET to the right of the "Unzip - zip file opener" heading.
  • Enter your Touch ID, Face ID, or Apple ID password when prompted.
  • Picture 16 of How to Open a Zip File Find your ZIP folder. Open the app or location in which your ZIP folder is stored. This step will vary, but common locations for ZIP folders on an iPhone include the following:
  • Email — Open your email app (e.g., Gmail or Mail), select the email in which the ZIP folder is stored, and scroll down if necessary to view the ZIP folder's name.
  • Files — Tap the Picture 17 of How to Open a Zip File Files app icon, tap Browse, tap the location in which the ZIP folder is located (you may have to navigate through a few different folders).
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    Tap the ZIP folder. Doing so will open the ZIP folder's preview.

  • Picture 19 of How to Open a Zip File Tap the "Share" Picture 20 of How to Open a Zip File icon. It's usually in the bottom-right or top-right corner of the screen. This will bring up a menu at the bottom of the screen.
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    Scroll right and tap Copy to Unzip. You'll find this in the menu's top row of apps. Doing so opens the Unzip app with your ZIP folder in it.

  • Picture 22 of How to Open a Zip File Tap your ZIP folder's name. You should see it in the middle of Unzip. This will automatically extract the ZIP folder's contents to a regular folder of the same name.
  • Unfortunately, Unzip doesn't allow you to view the ZIP folder's files without extracting them.
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    Tap the unzipped folder. It's a yellow item with the same name as your ZIP folder. Doing so opens the folder to display your ZIP folder's formerly compressed files.

    • Method 4 of 4:

    On Android

  • Picture 24 of How to Open a Zip File Download the ZIP folder if necessary. If the ZIP folder 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 folder in your Android's "Download" folder.
  • If the ZIP folder is in Google Drive, long-press the ZIP folder, then tap Download in the resulting menu.
  • If the ZIP folder is in Gmail, tap the "Download" Picture 25 of How to Open a Zip File icon next to the folder's name in the email.
  • Picture 26 of How to Open a Zip File Download the WinZip app. You can download the free WinZip app in order to find and extract your ZIP folder:
  • Open the Picture 27 of How to Open a Zip File Google Play Store.
  • Tap the search bar.
  • Type in winzip.
  • Tap WinZip - Zip UnZip Tool in the drop-down results.
  • Tap INSTALL.
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    Open WinZip. Tap OPEN on the WinZip page, or tap the WinZip app icon in your Android's App Drawer.

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    Tap ALLOW when prompted. Doing so lets WinZip access your Android's files.

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    Scroll right and tap START. You'll have to scroll through four screens to get to the START button.

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    Select your default storage. Depending on the ZIP folder's location, you'll either tap Internal to select your Android's internal storage or tap SD card (or similar) to access your Android's SD card if available.

  • Picture 32 of How to Open a Zip File Open the ZIP folder's location. Go to the folder in which you've saved the ZIP folder.
  • You may have to scroll down to find the correct folder.
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    Select the ZIP folder. Find the ZIP folder in the current location, then tap once the checkbox to the right of its name to select it.

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    Tap the "Unzip" icon. It's a box with a zipper on it at the top of the screen, just left of the empty checkbox. A pop-up menu will appear.

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    Select a folder in which to store the unzipped folder. Tap Storage, tap your preferred storage option (e.g., Internal), and tap a folder in which you want to extract the ZIP folder.

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    Tap UNZIP HERE. It's at the bottom of the screen. Doing so extracts the ZIP folder's files into your selected folder from which point you should be able to open them.

    • Kareem Winters Kareem Winters

    Update 05 March 2020

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