RAR to ZIP
Convert RAR to ZIP on Mac
macOS's built-in Archive Utility can't open RAR files at all, so converting one to ZIP starts with a third-party extractor.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
Steps on macOS
- 1Install a RAR-capable extractorOptions include The Unarchiver or Keka, since there is no WinRAR app for macOS.
- 2Extract the RAR fileOpen the
.rarwith your extractor, or right-click it and choose the extractor's Extract option. - 3Select the extracted files in FinderClick, or Cmd-click to select multiple items.
- 4Compress with FinderRight-click the selection and choose Compress. Finder creates an
Archive.zipin the same folder. - 5Verify the resultDouble-click the new ZIP to confirm the files are correct before deleting the original RAR.
Command-line method
macOS's Terminal doesn't include a RAR extractor by default, but tools like unar (from The Unarchiver project) or unrar can be installed separately, typically via a package manager. Once installed, a typical sequence is:
| Step | Command |
|---|---|
| Extract the RAR | unar archive.rar (or unrar x archive.rar) |
| Compress the result to ZIP | zip -r archive.zip extracted-folder/ |
Notes for MacBook users
Everything above applies the same way whether you're on a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or a desktop Mac — the limitation is macOS itself, specifically Archive Utility, not the hardware. See open a RAR file on a MacBook Air for a device-specific walkthrough of just the extraction step.
Troubleshooting
- RAR opens as gibberish or won't extract: confirm all volumes are present if it's a multi-part RAR.
- "zip: command not found" in Terminal:
zipships with macOS by default; if missing, check your Xcode Command Line Tools installation. - Extracted files look correct but Compress fails: check available disk space, since Compress needs room for the new ZIP alongside the extracted files.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Can macOS open RAR files without any extra app?
No. Archive Utility, the built-in tool, only handles ZIP-family formats; RAR always needs a third-party extractor on macOS.
Is there a WinRAR app for Mac?
No, RARLAB does not publish a WinRAR GUI application for macOS. Mac users rely on other RAR-capable tools instead — see [RAR for Mac](/rar-for-mac).
Does Finder's Compress feature support passwords?
No, Finder's built-in Compress creates a plain ZIP with no password option; a third-party tool is needed for encryption.
Is the process different on a MacBook versus an iMac?
No, the steps are identical across all Mac hardware since they depend on macOS itself, not the specific device.
Related guides
- RAR to ZIP: How Archive Conversion WorksThere's no way to change a RAR file directly into a ZIP file byte-for-byte. Every method works the same way underneath: extract the RAR, then compress the result as a ZIP.
- RAR for Mac: How to Handle RAR ArchivesThere is no single official "RAR for Mac" app, but several reliable ways exist to open and, less commonly, create RAR archives on macOS.
- Convert RAR to ZIP on WindowsOn Windows, converting RAR to ZIP takes two built-in-friendly steps: extract with a RAR-capable tool, then compress the result with Explorer's own ZIP feature.
- How to Convert RAR to ZIPIf you just need one RAR file turned into a ZIP as quickly as possible, here is the shortest path for your platform.
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