How to Unzip Files: Mac, iPhone, Android, Windows

Easily access all the files in the ZIP bundle you just downloaded.

Lincoln W Daniel
OurTransfers
4 min readApr 28, 2024

--

Zipped file archives are essential for efficient transfer of multiple files, especially when dealing with large files. In this article, we’ll walk through how to download and use ZIP bundle files seamlessly across various devices.

If you’ve received multiple files via OurTransfers.com, this will help you understand how to unzip the .ZIP file you’ve downloaded.

When you receive a package with multiple files via OurTransfers.com, you can download all the files in a ZIP bundle.

Table of Contents:

  1. How to Use ZIP Files on Mac Computers
  2. How to Use ZIP Files on Windows Computers
  3. How to Use ZIP Files on iPhones
  4. How to Use ZIP Files on Android Phones

How to Use ZIP Files on Mac Computers

Mac OS’s built-in Archive Utility makes unzipping files straightforward. When you download a ZIP file, simply double-click to open it. For a more managed approach, use the ‘Open With’ option and select ‘Archive Utility’ to specify your extraction preferences and destination.

How to Use ZIP Files on Windows Computers

Windows has integrated ZIP file support through Windows Explorer. To unzip files, right-click the ZIP file and choose ‘Extract All.’ This opens a dialogue box where you can specify where to place the uncompressed files, allowing for better organization.

How to Use ZIP Files on iPhones

With the introduction of iOS 11, iPhone users can handle ZIP files directly in the Files app. When you receive a ZIP file, find it in the Files app, tap on it, and it will automatically unzip. If you’re sharing these files, you can compress them into a ZIP directly in the Files app before sending.

  1. Open the Files App on your iPhone
  2. Scroll to locate the ZIP bundle you want to open in Locations or tap Browse to search larger directories for files by name.
  3. To preview the ZIP’s contents, tap and hold the icon. Then, select Quick Look from the drop menu.
  4. To unzip the bundle and access the files, tap the ZIP file.
  5. The Files App will create a folder matching the name of the ZIP bundle.
  6. Tap to open the new folder to see all the files from the now unzipped bundle.
  7. tap on it, and it will automatically unzip. If you’re sharing these files, you can compress them into a ZIP directly in the Files app before sending.

How to Use ZIP Files on Android Phones

Since 2017, Android devices have included native support for ZIP files through the Files by Google app, eliminating the need for third-party apps for basic file management. Here’s how you can easily manage ZIP files on your Android phone or tablet:

  1. Open the Files by Google app.
  2. Locate the ZIP file you want to open, or use the ‘Browse’ function to search by name.
  3. Tap on the ZIP file to view its contents.
  4. Tap ‘Extract’ to unzip the file.
  5. After extracting, you can choose to delete the original ZIP file or tap ‘Done’ to finish and save the unzipped folder.

This streamlined process ensures Android users can efficiently handle ZIP files, enhancing usability and file management on the platform.

Safety Tips When Using ZIP Files

Always verify the source of any files downloaded from the internet. Avoid opening ZIP files from unknown or suspicious sources to mitigate the risk of malware infection.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how to efficiently manage ZIP files across devices enhances your productivity and ensures a smooth workflow, particularly when using OurTransfers to handle large or multiple files. Whether you’re a professional or casual user, these tips will help you maintain organization and security in your digital interactions.

Easily Send and Receive Files Using OurTransfers

Do you frequently need to send large or many files? Use OurTransfers to transfer files of any size more securely & quickly for free.

If you’re the one who often receives files, have them sent to you via OurTransfers for easy access. Once you receive all the files, you can click “Download All” to download a single ZIP bundle of all the files.

--

--

Lincoln W Daniel
OurTransfers

Chief Bull @ BullAcademy.org ® Elevating writers @ ManyStories.com. Author @JavaForHumans Ex: Editor in Chief MarkGrowth (acq.), Engineer @Medium @GoPuff