In this article, I’ll show you exactly how you can zip and unzip files and folders on your Mac.
macOS features a built-in compression system, called Archive Utility, which
can help you do the job.
Zip files are also known as compressed. These files do not take up
large storage space.
Also, a zip file is pretty easy to send or receive over the Internet. For instance, you can send a whole heap of documents in a zip file through email, instead of attaching
each file individually. It’s easy to create zip file on MacBook. In the same token, it’s easy to open Zip file on Mac.
How to zip files on MacBook)
Here’s how to compress files on Mac:
- Select file(s) and /or folder(s). You can command-click (press and hold down the Command key and then select files or folders) to select multiple files or
folders. - Next, control-click or right-click.
Compress items - You will see a shortcut menu. From the menu, simply click Compress.
It’s worth noting:
- If you zip multiple files or folders, the name of the zip file will be Archive.zip. You can change this if you want. To do this, Select the Archive.zip file,
and click Return and type in a new name. - If you zip a single file or folder, the name will be its name with .zip extension like GeeksModo.zip.
How to zip files on Mac using Terminal
TheTerminal app on Mac also allows users to create zip files. Here is how:
- On your Mac, launch Terminal (Applications >
Utilities). - You can type in the following command:
- zip archive.zip file.txt
- Alternatively, you can type zip and then drag and drop the files you want to compress into the Terminal window.
How to unzip (uncompress)
Here’s how to open compressed zip file on Mac:
- Locate the zip file.
- Double-click it. Alternatively, you can right-click it, then choose Open With > Archive Utility.
It’s worth noting:
- Your unzip file will remain in the same folder/location that zip file stored in. For instance, if you’re extracting an archive named “GeeksModo.zip” on
your desktop, the extracted folder, named GeeksModo, will be created on the desktop.
How to open Zip files on Mac with Terminal
You can also use Terminal to unzip your files. Here is how to use terminal to unzip files on Mac:
- On your Mac, launch Terminal.
- And type in the following command:
unzip archive.zip