What is a zip file and how to open it

You may have received an email with a zip file attachment and not know what to do. You can open ZIP files on any computer, regardless of its operating system. You will need to do more than double-click the ZIP file to access its contents. This article will show you how to open a zip file on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices.

What is a ZIP File and how do you use it?

A ZIP file is a file format that stores compressed files and folders. It can be used for storage, transmission, and archiving. When it is transferred from one digital storage area to another, it is considered one file. These files are identified by the extension “.zip” at their end.

Many operating systems include software that allows you to create and open ZIP files. There is third-party software, WinZip 7zip, and WinRAR that can do the same.

How to open a ZIP file on Windows 10

You can open ZIP files with the Windows Compressed Folder if you have a home PC. Follow these steps to open a ZIP file with Windows 10.

1. Find the ZIP file that you wish to open.
2. Right-click the ZIP file to select “Extract All ” Once you have selected “Extract All,” a pop-up menu will appear.
3. Select a location where you want to extract the files from the pop-up menu. Click “Browse” to select another location for your files.
4. After you have selected the destination folder, click “OK”.
   Important: After the file has been extracted and opened, make sure you check “Show extracted folders when complete”. This will allow you to immediately locate the unzipped files.
5. Click “Extract” to close the popup menu. The software will begin extracting files from the ZIP folder.
6. After the extraction is completed, a window will open displaying all extracted files from the ZIP folder.

How do I open ZIP files on Mac?
You can unzip and extract files from ZIP files using the Archive Utility tool on Mac. How to open a ZIP file with the Archive Utility in Mac

1. Find the ZIP file that you wish to open. Check the Downloads folder to confirm where the ZIP file was saved after you have downloaded it.
2. Double-click on the ZIP file. Depending on how many files are being extracted, this may take several seconds to a minute.

Once the extraction is completed, a window will open to display the extracted folders or files. If the window does not open after the extraction is completed, locate the extracted folder and display the extracted files.

On Android, can you open ZIP files?

To extract files from a ZIP archive on Android phones you’ll need to install the file application from Google Play Store. Many Android phones already have the application installed. Tap the Apps button to check if the app is already installed on your phone. It looks like a square with four or nine dots on the home screen.

1. Open Files app. If you are going through the initial setup you might need to grant the app access photos, media and files on your device. To do this, click Allow.
2. Click Browse at the bottom to access
3. Find the ZIP file that you wish to extract. It may be in the “Download” folder if you have it as an attachment to an email.
4. Select the file that you wish to open, then tap Extract. This will open the ZIP folder’s file list.
5. Tap Done. To access any file, tap “All” at top of screen and click the downward arrow to the right. Next, tap “Open With” to choose an application.

How to open zip files on an iPhone

iPhones and other Apple devices, like Mac computers, have a default feature which allows you to view your ZIP files. To extract files from ZIP files on your smartphone, you will need to download an archiving app such as izip from Apple’s App Store. iZip, which is similar to the Files app for Android has no subscription fees and is free.

1. Download and install the iZip App.
2. Next, tap Files at top of screen. Only after you have downloaded and saved the ZIP file to the iPhone.
3. Find the ZIP file that you wish to extract files. . Check your Files app for the ZIP file if you have downloaded it from a website.
   Notification: If your ZIP file is not visible in Files, you can go back to it and click the “send” button. Next, tap “More”, and then select “Copy To iZip”.
4. Select the ZIP file to be extracted. Tap and hold for a few seconds to open a popup menu.
5. Next, click OK in the popup. All files within the ZIP folder will be automatically extracted or unzipped. This may take several seconds or minutes depending on how large the files are.

After you have extracted all files and folders, the iZip App will allow you to view them. Tap the “Open in” button at bottom of screen to open a file that is associated with an app.

You now know how to open ZIP files on Windows, Mac and Android.