PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

RAR files are compressed files similar to ZIP files that consume less storage and can be transferred to other locations more quickly than uncompressed files. RAR files cannot be opened using native programs in Windows or Mac OS X, but can be opened or “unrar-ed” using free third-party applications that support the RAR file format.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Navigate to the 7-Zip downloads page at https://www.7-zip.org/download.html . 7-Zip is free, open-source file-archiver software that opens and manages RAR files in Windows.
  2. 7-Zip is available for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
    Advertisement
  3. The program will launch, and display files and folders on your computer.
  4. This extracts the contents of the RAR file.
  5. The contents of the RAR file will display in the application selected. [1]
  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Mac OS X

PDF download Download Article
  1. Navigate to the Unarchiver downloads page at https://wakaba.c3.cx/ . Unarchiver is a free data compression utility that opens RAR files in Mac OS X.
  2. This opens the Unarchiver Preferences window.
  3. This extracts the contents of the RAR file using Unarchiver, and saves it to the location specified earlier.
  4. The contents of the RAR file will display in the application selected.
  5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Mobile Devices

PDF download Download Article
  1. Examples of useful search terms include “unrar files,” “open rar files,” and “extract rar files.”
  2. Examples of high-rated apps that open RAR files are iZip by ComcSoft  for iOS, and Simple Unrar by Resonance Lab for Android.
  3. The app will open and extract the contents of the RAR file on your device.
  4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Try opening the RAR file on your computer prior to installing any third-party RAR extraction software. The file will open in the event you already have compatible RAR software installed on your system.
      • Consider using ZIP files instead of RAR files to compress large files. Most computers and devices have built-in utilities that open ZIP files without your needing to install additional software.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,018 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement