How to Unzip RAR Files on Mac (Free & Easy Methods)

Ever downloaded a file on your Mac that ends in “.rar” and couldn’t open it? You’re not alone. RAR files are a popular way to compress data, but macOS doesn’t support them by default like ZIP files.

So, how can you unzip RAR files on a Mac without paying or dealing with complicated steps? This guide shows you quick and free ways to unzip RAR files easily.

Part 1. What Are RAR Files and Why macOS Can’t Open Them by Default

RAR files are a type of compressed file format, just like ZIP files. They’re used to shrink file sizes and bundle multiple files into one, making them easier to share or download. You’ll often find RAR files when you download software, media, or large documents from the internet.

While ZIP files open easily on any Mac without needing extra tools, RAR files are a bit different. macOS doesn’t support RAR files by default, which means you can’t just double-click to open them. To unzip a RAR file on a Mac, you’ll need a special app or tool that can read the RAR format.

But don’t worry. There are plenty of free and easy ways to unzip RAR files on Mac, and we’re about to show you how.

Part 2. Best 2 Free Tools to Unzip RAR Files on Mac

Below are some of the best free apps that make unzipping RAR files on macOS quick and easy.

1. FossZip

Need a quick and reliable tool to unzip RAR files on your Mac? FossZIP isn’t just another unzipping tool. It’s a complete file compression solution built to keep things simple, fast, and secure. With its modern design, wide file support, and helpful features, it unzips RAR files in seconds, even when dealing with large or multiple files. You spend less time waiting and more time getting things done.

Key Features:

• FossZIP handles varied compressed formats including RAR, ZIP, and 7Z with ease.
• FossZIP’s interface is simple, elegant, and easy to navigate. Ideal for beginners and pros alike.
• Take a quick look inside RAR files without extracting them. This saves time and helps you unzip only what you really need.
• Keep your files secure with built-in strong AES encryption and optional password protection.
• Easily split large files into smaller parts for easier sharing or storage.
• Offer better compression for groups of small files by combining them into a single block.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Install and run FossZIP on your Mac. Once installed, find it in your Applications folder.

Step 2: Open the app. In the settings, choose the file formats you want FossZIP to handle (RAR is selected by default). Under the Extract tab, pick a location where you want the files to be saved.

Step 3: Right click your RAR file, pick Open With, and hit FossZIP. FossZIP will extract it automatically. You can extract multiple RAR files in bulk, too.

Step 4: Now, you can see the unzipped RAR files on your Mac.

Bonus: FossZIP includes a handy Preview feature that lets you see the contents of a RAR file before extracting it. This is great if you only need specific files or want to check that the contents are safe and correct.

2. The Unarchiver

Looking for a fast and easy way to open RAR files on your Mac? The Unarchiver is one of the best free tools out there. It’s much more powerful than macOS’s built-in Archive Utility and supports a huge range of archive formats, including RAR, ZIP, 7Z, and many more. Plus, The Unarchiver makes handling compressed files effortless, even those with non-English names.

Key Features:

• Easily unzip RAR files, including older and complex formats that other tools might miss.
• Just a few clicks to install and set as your default app for opening all kinds of archive files.
• No hidden costs or in-app purchases. All features are free.
• Opens files with non-Latin characters. Great for international archives.
• Supports 30+ archive formats. Works with ZIP, RAR, and 7Z to older and obscure formats like StuffIt, ARJ, LZH, and even Amiga-specific files.
• Works on macOS 10.13 and later versions.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Go to The Unarchiver’s website, download, and install it on your Mac. It will automatically become your default tool for RAR files.

Step 2: Seek your RAR file and double-click it. This will launch The Unarchiver and start extracting the contents as this was set as default. Also, you can right-click your RAR file, pick Open With, and hit The Unarchiver.

Step 3: The app will quickly extract the files for you.

Step 4: Once done, you’ll find the extracted files in the same folder as the original RAR file.

Part 3. What to Do If RAR Files Won’t Open or Are Corrupted?

Sometimes, you might run into trouble when trying to open a RAR file on your Mac. It can be frustrating. But don’t worry! Here’s what might be causing the issue and how you can fix it.

Here are the popular zipped RAR extraction errors and causes:

• “Cannot Open File” or “File Is Not Supported”: This usually means the RAR file is either incomplete or the software doesn’t support it properly.
• “Unexpected End of Archive”: This error shows up when the download was interrupted, and part of the file is missing.
• “CRC Error” or “Checksum Error”: A CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) error means the file might be damaged or corrupted during download or transfer.
• “File Is Broken or Corrupted”: This typically points to a corrupted RAR file, possibly caused by hard drive issues or file system errors.

If you think your zipped RAR file is corrupted, a regular unzipping tool won’t help. Instead, try using Repairit RAR File Repair for Mac. It’s a powerful tool that can repair damaged files, including broken RAR archives.

Why use Repairit?

• Repair damaged zipped RAR files and restore their contents automatically.
• Fix multiple zipped RAR files at once, saving you time and effort.
• See what’s inside your repaired zipped RAR archive before extracting. Great for verifying successful recovery.
• Repaired zipped RAR files are automatically decompressed and restored to their original structure.
• No technical skills needed. Just upload your zipped RAR files with a few clicks.
• Repairs zipped RAR files without changing formatting, structure, or data inside your archives.

Instead of giving up on your important zipped RAR files, let Repairit do the heavy lifting. Just upload the damaged zipped RAR file, and Repairit will quickly fix it for you. Simple, fast, and reliable.

Step 1: Launch Repairit File Repair for Mac. Open More Types Repair and hit File Repair.

Press +Add or drag and drop your damaged zipped RAR files into the window.

Step 2: Hit Repair to begin the zipped RAR file scanning and fixing procedure.

Bonus: If a zipped RAR file is severely damaged, Repairit will alert you and suggest uploading it for expert help.

Step 3: Once repaired, click Preview to review the fixed zipped RAR file. If it looks great, click Save and find where to store the fixed zipped RAR file on your Mac.

That’s it! Your zipped RAR files are now readable and ready to use again.

Conclusion

Unzipping RAR files on your Mac doesn’t have to be a complex task. With free tools like FossZIP and The Unarchiver, you can extract RAR archives easily and securely. And if your RAR file is corrupted or won’t open, Repairit File Repair is a reliable way to restore damaged files in just a few clicks.