How to open and extract RAR files on Mac

Here's everything you need to know about RAR files and how to extract the contents of RAR files on Mac.

How to open and extract RAR files on Mac

What are RAR files?

RAR files are similar to ZIP files. Both are file formats that store multiple files compressed into one. This way, you only need to upload that one compressed file and the recipient only needs to download it instead of many individual files.

RAR is the abbreviation for Roshal ARchive, named after the Russian software engineer who created it. The RAR format was created to overcome some of the flaws in the ZIP format and gives users a number of benefits, including: smaller file size, easier splitting of files into parts and error recovery.

How to open and extract RAR files on Mac

Mac systems do not have their own tools to handle this file format. However, you can easily use a third-party app to open RAR files on Mac.

Open RAR files with Keka

How to open and extract RAR files on Mac

Keka is a compression and decompression tool available on the Mac App Store and works as a standalone installation. Once installed, all you have to do is double-click on the RAR file to extract it or right-click on a file, then select Open.

Note, Keka can create its own compressed files but does not support the RAR format. You can only compress files in ZIP, 7-Zip, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2 formats.

  • Download Keka for Mac

Use unRAR on Mac Terminal

To extract RAR files using Terminal, you need to install Homebrew - an "all in one" tool to install other tools.

For example, using Homebrew, you can install RAR file compression software with one command:

brew install unrar

You must enter the above command into Terminal. You can access it by opening Spotlight (use the keyboard shortcut Cmd + Spacebar), typing terminal , and opening Terminal.app .

If you receive a message UnRAR needs to be created from the following source:

How to open and extract RAR files on Mac

First, you must install the Xcode command line tools with the command:

xcode-select --install

Once UnRAR is installed, you can extract the RAR file by navigating to it in Terminal and entering the command:

unrar x example_file.rar

Use The Unarchiver to extract RAR files

How to open and extract RAR files on Mac

The Unarchiver is a free RAR file decompression software on macOS. You can use it to open any RAR archive with one click. Like Keka, The Unarchiver does not allow you to view the content inside files before extracting them. However, this tool has many customization options so you can extract them the way you want.

Another useful feature is that it supports non-Latin characters for archive names. Thanks to that, you can extract RAR files with foreign names.

The Unarchiver supports many different compressed file formats, including ZIP, 7Z, GZIP, CAB…

  • Download The Unarchiver

Above are some ways to open RAR files on Mac . Hope the article is useful to you.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

Step by step guide to creating and interpreting numerology charts by name

Step by step guide to creating and interpreting numerology charts by name

Numerology reveals exactly what's in your name. From destiny to soul path, here's how to calculate your numerology chart based on your name.

How to choose video caller in WhatsApp group

How to choose video caller in WhatsApp group

WhatsApp has been updated with a new feature to select video callers in groups, no need to make a call with all members in the group. Here is a guide to select video callers in WhatsApp groups.

How to use Meta AI chatbot on Messenger

How to use Meta AI chatbot on Messenger

Meta AI has been updated on Messenger for you to experience this chatbot, interact with the chatbot for any issue you care about.

Instructions for inserting stickers into photos on iPhone

Instructions for inserting stickers into photos on iPhone

If you have a personal photo that you want to cover some information or even a certain image, you can insert stickers into the photo on iPhone.

How to delete Google account

How to delete Google account

For some reason, you no longer want to use your current Google account, and want to completely delete it. So how can you permanently delete your Google account?

How to use ChatGPT on WhatsApp

How to use ChatGPT on WhatsApp

You can now chat with the official ChatGPT on WhatsApp without resorting to third-party chatbots.

How to search for files using Copilot on Windows 11

How to search for files using Copilot on Windows 11

On Windows 11 you can now use the Copilot app to find, open, and ask questions about files stored on your computer.

How to remove objects in photos on iOS 18

How to remove objects in photos on iOS 18

iPhone 15 and later after upgrading to iOS 18 are equipped with new Apple Intelligence technology, capable of removing objects in photos via the Clean Up tool.

How to create Snoopy style images using ChatGPT

How to create Snoopy style images using ChatGPT

Not only does ChatGPT feature AI photo generation using your description, you can now create Snoopy style photos very simply.

How to enable Android System WebView

How to enable Android System WebView

Android System WebView is a feature that allows apps to open web content within the app itself instead of opening it in another browser.

Instructions for solving Math problems using Gauthmath AI tool

Instructions for solving Math problems using Gauthmath AI tool

Gauthmath math solver uses AI to assist users in their learning process. The website supports many types of math from algebra to geometry for many subjects from students to teachers to refer to.

How to use Disk Quota to limit Windows storage capacity

How to use Disk Quota to limit Windows storage capacity

Disk Quota controls the storage capacity on a computer, ensuring that users cannot use more storage than is allocated.

Instructions for building animations with messages on ScratchJR

Instructions for building animations with messages on ScratchJR

In addition to setting up animations on ScratchJR with different dialogues, you can upgrade it by creating messages between characters.

ScratchJR Animation Development Guide

ScratchJR Animation Development Guide

Once students have acquired the basic knowledge of building animated scenes on ScratchJR, they can easily develop the scenes to their liking, adding more content and more characters.

Instructions for creating the latest iCloud email on phones and computers

Instructions for creating the latest iCloud email on phones and computers

An iCloud email address is separate from creating an Apple ID account, you need to manually create a new iCloud email account.