How to extract data from a corrupted ZIP: 2025 edition

Have you ever come across a ZIP file that refuses to unzip? There's valuable data trapped inside, but it just won’t open, no matter what you try. Even if you're the most patient person on the planet, you could end up tearing your hair out.

But don’t worry. I'm here to help. In this article, I’ll show you how to retrieve data from a corrupted ZIP and get your files back. 

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Extract files from a corrupted ZIP archive

Sometimes, even if a ZIP archive is corrupted, you can still extract specific important files from it using the right apps. 

BetterZip is a Mac app that lets you open, preview, and extract files from archives without unzipping everything. It works with formats like ZIP, RAR, and 7-ZIP, and you can add encryption to protect your files.

Here’s how to recover data from a corrupted ZIP folder using BetterZip:

1. Install and open BetterZip on your Mac.
2. Choose the zipped folder with the file(s) you want to extract.
3. Right-click the file you want to extract.
4. Choose Extract Selected from the drop-down menu.

Extract files using Terminal

On Mac, Terminal is the built-in option for extracting data from a corrupted ZIP. Here’s the process:

1. Open Terminal. You can find it in the Utilities folder or search for it using Spotlight (Command + Space).
2. Type unzip followed by a space.
3. Drag and drop your ZIP archive into the Terminal window, then press Return. 

Your unzipped files will be placed in your user account folder, which you can easily access using Finder. If this doesn’t repair the corrupted ZIP, proceed to the next step. 

Recover data from a corrupted ZIP with iBoysoft Data Recovery

If nothing else works, don't despair, because there's still one more option to try. iBoysoft Data Recovery is a tool that can scan your drive, locate the corrupted ZIP, and help you recover the files inside, even when other methods fail.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Install and open iBoysoft Data Recovery. 
2. Select the affected drive in which the damaged ZIP folder is stored. 
3. Click Search for Lost Data.
4. Select the files and click Preview on the right pane, then click Recover. 

How to repair a damaged or corrupted ZIP archive

You can also try using Terminal to fix a corrupt ZIP file with the following commands:

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac (find it in the Utilities folder or search with Spotlight by pressing Command + Space).
2. Type the following command line: zip -F broke.zip --out pleasework.zip, then press Return. This Terminal command tells Terminal to target the archive named broke.zip in your home folder and attempt to create a new archive named pleasework.zip.
3. Try another command if you see a warning: zip -FF broke.zip --out pleasework.zip.
4. Confirm when Terminal asks if this is a single-disk archive by typing Y and pressing Return.
5. Wait as Terminal extracts what it can from the damaged archive and repacks the files into the new archive you specified.

Why can’t I extract files from a zipped folder?

There are several reasons why you may not be able to expand a ZIP file on your Mac. Some of the most common reasons are:

• Incorrect compression: A file that's not compressed properly may not open later. This can happen if the power goes out, your computer shuts down suddenly, or something interrupts the process. As a result, the file will get damaged and refuse to open. 
• Physical damage: Another reason a ZIP file may become corrupted is physical damage to the storage device. If you stored the ZIP file on an external hard disk or a flash drive, the removable disk might be malfunctioning.
• Incomplete downloads: When you download files in a browser on macOS, it’s possible that the file is not downloaded completely and correctly. In this case, you can fix the problem by downloading the file again.

Final thoughts on how to recover data from a corrupted ZIP folder

If your ZIP file accidentally becomes corrupted, don’t worry. Going through the above steps can help you recover your data. While Terminal may be an effective option, not everyone is comfortable with its complex commands and instructions. 

Tools like BetterZip, Archiver, and Commander One make it simple to preview and extract files, even from damaged archives. If the corruption happened during download, WiFi Explorer can help you troubleshoot network issues and re-download the file. And if the corruption is severe, iBoysoft Data Recovery can go a step further by scanning your drive and recovering files when other methods fail.

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