How to Open 7Z and RAR Files on iPhone
The built-in iOS Files app can only unpack standard ZIP archives and cannot open 7Z or RAR files natively. File Acture extracts 7Z, RAR, and TAR archives directly into your Files app on the iPhone, supporting password-protected archives without uploading contents to the cloud.
Updated November 4, 20263 min read
By the File Acture team
When you download an archive on an iPhone, the built-in Files app handles standard .zip files effortlessly: you just tap the archive and iOS extracts a new folder next to it. But tap a .7z or .rar archive, and iOS shows a blank preview screen with a generic document icon and an unsupported file notice.
Many third-party extractor apps on the App Store are cluttered with invasive tracking or full-screen ads, and cloud unzipping websites require uploading your entire folder. Here is why iOS cannot open these files on its own, and how to unpack them safely on your device.
Why the iPhone Files app fails on 7Z and RAR archives
Apple includes built-in archive extraction specifically for the open ZIP specification. Formats like 7-Zip (.7z) and WinRAR (.rar) rely on specialized compression algorithms like LZMA2 and proprietary RAR decoding blocks that iOS does not ship with out of the box.
Because the operating system lacks the decoders, tapping the file in Files only shows metadata like file size and modified date, with no option to browse or extract the contents.
How to unpack 7Z and RAR files with File Acture
Open Extract Archive in File Acture and select your .7z, .rar, or .zip file from the Files app or your Downloads folder. You can also tap Share on any archive in the Files app and pick File Acture directly from the share sheet.
The app inspects the compression tables and extracts the folder to On My iPhone › File Acture › Archives. All original file names, subfolders, and documents are preserved without corruption.
Extracting password-protected archives on iOS
Many confidential archives are encrypted with AES-256 passwords before sharing. When you open a protected archive, File Acture prompts you for the password and decrypts the contents locally.
Because the decryption happens entirely on your phone processor, your password and files are never transmitted across the network.
Which archive formats are supported?
You can decompress almost any common archive format you encounter on the web or receive via email.
- 7Z & RAR: High-compression formats frequently used for software, games, and large asset bundles.
- ZIP & TAR: Common web archives and Unix bundles unpacked without external utilities.
- PDFs inside the archive? If the extracted folder contains PDFs you need to shrink, use Compress PDF on your phone.
Why online unzipping sites are a security hazard
Websites that offer to unzip files online require you to upload the entire archive to remote servers. If the compressed archive contains financial spreadsheets, private photos, or personal backups, uploading it exposes your private files. File Acture runs 100% offline on your iPhone.
How to extract 7Z and RAR files on iPhone with File Acture
- 1
Open Extract Archive
Open File Acture on your iPhone and tap Extract Archive.
- 2
Select the archive
Tap Choose Archive and select your 7Z or RAR file in the Files app.
- 3
Enter password if needed
If the archive is encrypted, type the password in the decryption prompt.
- 4
Extract contents
Tap Extract to unpack all enclosed folders and files onto your device.
- 5
View extracted files
Tap Open in Files to inspect or share your newly extracted items.
Unpack 7Z, RAR, and ZIP archives directly on your iPhone.
Free to try · on iPhone and iPad
| Format | iOS Files app | File Acture | Password support |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7Z | No | Yes | Yes |
| RAR | No | Yes | Yes |
| TAR / GZ | No | Yes | Yes |
Questions
Can iPhone open 7Z files without an app?
No. The default iOS Files app only supports standard ZIP archives and cannot unpack 7Z or RAR files without a dedicated tool like File Acture.
How do I open a RAR file received in WhatsApp or Mail on iPhone?
Tap the RAR attachment, tap the Share icon, choose File Acture, and tap Extract to save the contents to your Files app.
Does extracting large 7Z archives consume extra storage?
Extraction requires enough free space to hold the unpacked files alongside the original archive. Once unpacked, you can delete the compressed file to save room.
Can File Acture open encrypted 7Z files with passwords?
Yes. When you select a password-protected 7Z or RAR archive, File Acture asks for the password and decrypts the contents locally.
Is File Acture safe for unpacking sensitive company archives?
Yes. All decompression happens strictly on your iPhone hardware without sending any data over the internet.