You just downloaded a file in RAR format and when you try to open it, your Mac gives you an error message. Sound familiar? This is one of the most common problems faced by all Apple device users. Although macOS has a powerful native file compressor and decompressor, it only supports the ZIP format. Does this mean that we can’t open RAR files on Mac? Of course not. We’ll simply need to download a third-party program and we’re here to help you find it.
If you have taken a look at the App Store, you will have noticed that there is an endless selection of programs to decompress files in RAR format. However, many of them are either paid or simply don’t work as well as they should. That’s why in today’s article we are going to offer you a selection of the best free programs to unzip RAR files on Mac. We hope they will help you!
1. The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is, for many, the best free program to decompress RAR on Mac. It is able to open all types of files from any macOS device without having to open the app. One of its strengths is that, in addition to being able to open RAR files, it is also compatible with Zip, 7-Zip, Tar, Gzip and many other formats.
Another interesting point of The Unarchiver is that it is even capable of decompressing files with characters in other languages. That is why with this app on your computer, you will hardly need any other program to open and extract compressed files.
To open a RAR file with The Unarchiver you simply double-click on the compressed file or drag it from your Mac to the application icon. Alternatively you can also right click on the RAR file and you will see that this will open a drop down menu where you can select “Open with…” and among these options will be “The Unarchiver”.
Once this is done, simply select the destination folder where you want to decompress the RAR format or create a new one from the same program. Click on the “Extract” button and wait for The Unarchiver to do the rest. It’s that simple!
2. B1 Free Archiver
Secondly, we would like to recommend B1 Free Archiver, another exceptional application ideal for managing files on your Mac. From it you can compress and decompress files in the main formats on the market. This file manager supports any file format B1, ZIP, JAR, XPI, RAR, 7Z, ARJ, BZ2, CAB, DEB, GZIP, TGZ, ISO, LZH, LHA, LZMA, RPM, TAR, XAR, Z, DMG and many others. That’s why it’s a perfect solution to open any type of file from your macOS computer.
One of the strengths of B1 Free Archiver is its simplicity of use. Say goodbye to spending long hours reading tutorials. Simply install the application and you can start using it instantly thanks to its intuitive interface. Besides that, B1 Free Archiver is a cross-platform program, so you’ll be able to use its app not only on your Mac, but also on any computer running Windows, Linux and even Android devices.
It is important to note that B1 Free Archiver not only works with individual files, but it is also capable of compressing and decompressing files divided into different parts as well as those that have been protected by a password. It is, therefore, an excellent free option to open RAR archives from any computer running macOS.
3. Stuffit Expander
Stuffit Expander is one of the most veteran applications for Mac when it comes to decompressing files and for many, the best option you can find for Apple devices. It has a very simple and at the same time very nice interface, since it fits perfectly to the Mac environment. To open a file you just have to drag and drop it into the program window and let Stuffit Expander take care of the rest.
In terms of compatibility, Stuffit Expander supports more than 30 different formats, including RAR, ZIP, TAR, BTOA, ARJ, LHA, LZMA, 7-ZIP, MacBinary, GZEP, CAB and many more. However, as a weak point, this application only allows you to decompress files, so you won’t be able to compress and create new files from it. Even so, it is a perfect and completely free option to open RAR files from any macOS device.
4. UnRar X
UnRar X is an application designed not only to decompress RAR archives but also to repair corrupted or missing files. This makes it a really interesting tool if, for example, you need to extract a file from a RAR archive that you don’t have any part of.
A great attraction of UnRar X is its simplicity. You just have to open UnRar X and drop the compressed file on its interface. After that, the program will decompress its contents to the destination of your choice. Once the process is finished, UnRar X will show you a history of the actions performed by the app so that you have a clear view of all the steps followed by the program.
It is important to note that UnRar X is a free program designed only to decompress files. Therefore, if you are thinking about creating your own RAR archive, you’d better opt for other alternatives such as The Unarchiver. Even so, it is an excellent program, ideal for all those who are looking for an archive manager capable of repairing damaged or corrupted files.
5. MacPAR deLuxe
Looking for an alternative to unRarX to repair damaged files and decompress RAR archives on Mac? Introducing MacPAR deLuxe, a free application that is fast, efficient and allows you to decompress and recover compressed files in the blink of an eye.
MacPAR deLuxe is a program designed for all Mac users who download files compressed in different parts. By simply clicking on a .PAR file, you can quickly and effectively check, recover (if necessary) and decompress any file. Moreover, being a shareware program, it is totally free and very easy to use!
6. Decompressor
Decompressor is a utility that, even though it is not as veteran as some of the previous options, has nothing to envy them. It stands out for its speed, simplicity and, of course, for being completely free.
In addition to compressing and decompressing the main file types (ZIP, RAR, 7-ZIP, TAR, etc.), Decompressor has the attraction of being able to work with batches of files. This is really useful if you are trying to decompress many files at once and don’t want to waste time opening them one by one.
As for its interface, it is completely customizable and also receives constant improvements from its developers, so it is constantly receiving new features. That is why it is a perfect option if you want a program that is always up to date and 100% compatible with your operating system, regardless of how much it is updated.
This is how easy it is to open a RAR file on Mac
We hope that our selection of free programs to unzip a RAR archive on Mac has helped you. And remember, if you liked what you read, do not forget to share it with your friends on social networks.
