Many of the files you tend to open these days come in either a ZIP (.zip) file or a RAR (.rar) file. But unlike ZIP files, Apple’s macOS (or OSX) which is the operating system on your Mac does not have the tools needed to open RAR files on its own. You will need a third-party app to open an RAR file and extract its contents. You can open RAR files on your Mac computer with free apps like The Unarchiver.; RAR is a compressed file format - similar to ZIP - that can hold many files in one place, and is especially useful.
Whether in real life or the digital world, archiving stuff is always the best practice to keep our data organized. Managing stacks of data require a lot of hassle and effort, especially when we have to attach and send many files via email. (Yes, we have all been there) The process of zipping and extracting files offers ease and compresses the file’s size as an added perk.
Call it the magic of technology, but what’s more astonishing than bundling a batch of files in a single file format. On Windows, one can quickly zip and unzip files with the help of the popular WinZip tool. But what about Mac?
Also Read: How To Create And Open Zip Files On iPhone?
How to open RAR on Mac? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a RAR File?
@Johannes Bols: Thanks for the feedback. Rar file = a file with “.rar” as it’s file extension = a file with a “.rar” file name ending = a file that has been compressed using the RAR method of file compression, and should be decompressed before revealing the original file (which could be a.jpg-picture or a.doc-Word-document or any other file type). Download an app from the these link which can identify rar files, both apps are fine but we like.
RAR is a commonly used file format that stores a bunch of compressed files. Think of a RAR file like a huge box of carton that includes all kinds of stuff. Similarly, a RAR file contains data and files of different formats, including documents, videos, pictures, and everything else bundled together in one space. Using RAR files reduces the file’s size and lets you save a considerable amount of file download time.
You can easily extract the contents of any RAR file with a file extracting software or tool. Once your files are extracted, you can easily access all the content like you usually do in the forms of folders and subfolders.
How to Open RAR on Mac?
To open RAR on Mac, you would need to install the “The Unarchiver” tool on your macOS device. The Unarchiver is an easy to use utility tool designed for macOS environment that allows you to open RAR files on Mac. The tool supports a wide range of formats, including ZIP, RAR, GZP, BZIP, 7-ZIP, and many more
To install “The Unarchiver,” you can either find it on the Mac App Store or download it directly from its website, via this link.
Once you’ve successfully installed this tool on your Mac, it will prompt you to pick all the file formats you’ll use with this tool, under the “Archive Formats” tab. Check on all the file formats you want to deal with and then switch to the next tab, i.e., “Extraction.”
In the Extraction window, customize the options as per your preference. You can tweak with general settings like how you would want to create a folder, manage data & time preferences, and more.
After setting the general settings on the tool, let’s learn how to open RAR on Mac.
Once you Mac is installed with the “The Unarchiver” tool, all the RAR files will display a different icon. Also, to always use “The Unarchiver” tool to open RAR on macOS, right-click on any file, select the “Open With” option, and then tap on “The Unarchiver.”
To open RAR files on Mac, double tap on the file icon.
As you’ve changed the default setting on your device, the file will automatically be opened in the “The Unarchiver” window.
Pick a location where you need to extract the contents of your RAR file. Tap on the “Extract” button placed on the bottom-right corner of the window.
Rar Extractor Mac
After the extraction process is completed, all your files will be copied at the desired location ou picked to extract files.
And that’s it, folks! All your files will now be accessible at the selected destination, and you can browse through the folders anytime.
Also Read: Who Needs A PC? Learn How To Zip/Unzip Files On Your Android
The Unarchiver is a must-have utility tool for your Mac that helps you open RAR on Mac for free.
How To Open .rar Files For Mac
This wraps up our quick guide on how to open RAR on Mac with the help of the “The Unarchiver” tool. Feel free to reach out for any other queries or tech-assistance!
How To Open Rar Files On Mac For Free
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