Contents

Select the files either by hitting the “Add files” and “Add Folders” tabs or by just dragging and dropping the files, which you need to compress. To update or add new file /folder to the ZIP file, just click on “Open / Upgrade RZIP File” option from the main screen and hit the “Add files” or “Add Folders” option.

Locate the files or folders you want to archive using Mac Finder. Select the files you want to zip, and right click on their selection. Select Compress Items. Zip file is created and save in the current working directory. If single file is zipped, a.zip extension is added to the name of the file. If multiple files are zipped, “Archive. Mac OS X Hints By Rob Griffiths Aug 1, 2008 4:26 am PDT. This simple workflow makes short work of the task of creating separate zip archive from multiple individual files.

I will share a method to create a Zip file on Mac. Users can compress several files or folders together. I will also share a method to Unzip file or folder on Mac. You can also check the software and extract any .zip format file.

Zip Into Multiple Files

Mostly we use zip files to compress the data so that we can save the storage of our Laptop. We can send zip files via Gmail or Google Drive and etc. The best part is you can combine many files or folders and create a zip file on Mac. It will save the size and display space.

How to Create a Zip File on Mac With or Without any Software

We all want to reduce the storage on Mac as the storage is very less. To get more storage we need to spend more money. So the majority of the people buy Mac with less storage. Now to increase the space, we either need to delete files/folder or compress them. So compress is the best way as it even increases the storage size and we don’t need to remove the data.

Read more: Free Zip Software to Compress Files

How to Create a Zip File on Mac without Software

You wonder how to make a zip file in Mac. It is very easy to zip a file or a group of files of any format and we can even zip folders, using a simple command in the finder on your mac. You can even create a Zip file on Mac without using any external software.

Compressionof files or folders is very easy all you need to do is follow the below steps and create a Zip file on Mac.

1. Choose a file or folder and right-click on it.
2. Click on the option called “compress”.
3. You will get the same file or folder name with a different format “.zip”

If you want to zip multiple files or folder on the Mac. Then you can select the files or folder and compress them all at once. You can even compress one by one or all at once.

Read more: How to Zip a File in Windows 10 Without any Software

How to Unzip the file

To unzip a file or folder on the Mac. All you need to do is tap on the zip file. It will automatically unzip the files or folder. The unzipped file will be on the same path with the same name. For example: If you unzip a file or folder on the desktop, then you will find the file there only.

How to Unzip a Zip File on Mac With Software

There are several softwares available on the Apple store. But they will not create a Zip file or folder. They will only extract the file. I am sharing the free software to retrieve a file from .zip.

1. Go to the app store search “extractor”.
2. Open the app and you will see a popup to drag archive.
3. Now simple drag and drop the file inside the popup.
   It will ask for permissions > give all permissions.
4. Select the destination where you want to unzip the file.
5. Thats it! Your .zip file has been extracted.

Read more: How to Make a Folder on Mac

Conclusion

So how many of you know about this hidden method to create a Zip file? I am sure the majority don’t know about this method. Its always easy to create a Zip file on Mac. Mac is great and this inbuilt zip feature is an example. Users can add as many files they want and can compress the data. There is no software required to zip a file. Users can use this method to zipping or Unzip a file.

By Gina Barrow, Last updated: August 27, 2019

Are you new to compressing folders onMac? Today we will find out everything there is to know about how folder compression works, how to process it, why it is important and what are the best ways to efficiently and easily compress folders on Mac.

Part 1. Brief Introduction to Compressing Folders

File compression began way back in the 1970s where scientists were searching for ways to reduce file sizes through working with algorithms. Since then, the development of various computing processes and technologies kept on evolving until today.

What is a Zip File?

A zip file is an archive format that is supported by lossless compression. It allows a number of compression algorithms which reduces the file size. Today, we can easily locate a zip file because its extension ends with .ZIP/.zip (for multimedia files: application/zip) and with the zipper icon.

It was first used publicly by Phil Katz in 1989, in replacement to the ARC compression format made by Thom Henderson.

How does compression work on Mac?

If you work with data transfers almost every day, files compression could be your ultimate solution for ease of use, size, and transfer time.

Just like we mentioned earlier, compressing files takes up lesser disk space, and files can be easily sent and received more quickly.

Compression is done by working with the computer codes and has two different types:

Types of Compression

There are two types of compression known today, first is lossless and the next is lossy. Lossless compression is focused more on searching long codes and replaces them with shorter ones and recreates the same exact file.

Lossy compression, on the other hand, searches for codes it can delete and mostly used for multimedia files. A file on lossy compression seems to be identical but is entirely different at the code level.

Part 2. Advantages of Compressing Folders on Mac

Every byte counts if you're short on disk space or when you're sending a large file over the Internet. This is where file compression comes in. File compression has several advantages that users can highly benefit from.

Storage Space

Lossless compression, used in zip file technology, can reduce a file to 50 percent from its original size. Some files such as documents can be zipped and reduced to 90% from its original size. Thus file compression saves you a lot of space in your disk and you can use it for more important storage options.

Transfer Speed

If you happen to notice that all your downloads are in kept inside zipped files, this is because it takes a faster time to transfer these data when they are compressed rather than individually.

These compressed files use lesser bandwidths (the speed used for network transfers).

Cost

Using archives or software for file compression can save you lots of money because it reduces the cost of purchasing a new hard drive for more storage. If all files inside your desktop are organized and compressed, you will have more space to use for other programs required by the system.

Zip Into Multiple Files Mac

Part 3. How to Compress Folders on Mac Using PowerMyMac – Unarchiver

FoneDog PowerMyMac – Unarchiver is a powerful tool you can use in compressing and decompressing files on Mac. This special program has a complete toolkit that works seamlessly to any issues hindering you from getting the most from your device.

This software can be anything you need, a Mac cleaner, optimizer, keeper, uninstaller, unarchiver, and many more.

FoneDog PowerMyMac – Unarchiveralso supports decompressing of files from .RAR and .7z on Mac. Using this tool is so easy!

• Simply launch FoneDog PowerMyMac – Unarchiverand proceed to Unarchiver under Toolkit. Meanwhile, you can also choose to scan your Mac to check its health status from the main menu.
• Select or drag/drop the files you want to decompress. Click Compress to continue
• Wait until the program successfully finishes decompressing

To compress files on your Mac and you got the program installed; all you need is to double-click on the file/s and it will be zipped into .RAR or .72 file format. All files you have compressed and decompressed will have the PowerMyMac icon beside.

Part 4. How to Compress Folders on Mac Manually

Compressing files or folders on Mac is so easy because it already has a built-in compression and decompression option which uses ZIP file format. Each Mac has different compression capabilities depending on its processor. Some file compression can take time especially if you are using older models. Macs with faster processors and bigger RAM can compress and decompress files quicker.

How to zip a file on Mac?

Right-Click

1. Choose the file/folder you want to compress from Finder
2. Right-click on the file to show the pop-up menu. You can also use CTRL + Click
3. Select Compress + your file name
4. Wait until Mac successfully compresses your file. You can now see that the file/s ends in .ZIP
5. You can now delete the original file (optional)

People Also ReadHow to Clean up A Mac17 Reasons Why Your Mac Running Slow!

How To Unzip Files On A Mac

Using terminal

You can also opt to use the terminal in archiving and compressing files. Simply use the command:

zip archive.zip file.txt

Alternatively, you can use the drag & drop support, by typing ‘zip’ as usual but drop the file/s to compress into the Terminal command.

How to compress multiple folders at a time?

1. Select the file/folder you need to compress in finder
2. Right-click on the file/folder and select “Compress __ items”
3. Wait until compression is done and check the file/folders ending in.ZIP
4. Multiple files or folders compressed will end in Archive.zip

How to Open a Zip file on Mac:

• Double-click the zip file/folder you need to decompress

If you are unzipping a single file, it will have the same file name as the original file but with a number appended.

For zip files containing multiple items, the unzipped files will be decompressed and saved in a folder that has the same name as the zip (for example Archive.Zip) but it will be named Archive only.

Part 5. Conclusion

Compressing files and foldersonMac does not need to be intimidating. If you want to practice saving more space and enjoy faster data transfer, you can conveniently use the built-in compressor on your Mac. Otherwise, if you need more tools to keep up with all you need, try FoneDog PowerMyMac. It has all the complete and comprehensive solution!

Do you have any concerns regarding compressing your files on Mac? Comment us below!