How to open 7z files on Mac: Apps, methods, and quick fixes

We often interact with 7z files as we need them to save storage space, share large folders, and protect sensitive data. Mac even makes it easy to handle these files as it has the built-in Archive Utility. However, the tool can only unzip 7z files. It can’t view them, and it can’t rezip them.

I'm always looking for ways to make my Mac experience as smooth as possible, so I’ve had to find better ways to handle 7zip files. I now rely on dedicated 7-Zip Mac tools like Archiver, BetterZip, and Commander One as they can even view and edit the files without necessarily unarchiving them.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to open 7z files on Mac using various methods and tools.

But first, let’s take a quick look at the best solutions I’ve found:

You want to	Do this
Open a 7z file on a Mac	Use Archiver, BetterZip, or Commander One for the best experience.
Extract a 7z file using a built-in tool	Double-click the 7z file to extract it with Archive Utility.
Preview files inside a 7z archive	Use BetterZip or Commander One to see inside compressed folders without extracting them.
Convert a 7z file to another format	Use BetterZip to save the file as a ZIP or another format.
Create a 7z archive	Use Archiver to compress files into a 7z format.
Open a 7z file without installing an app	Use an online tool like ezyZip.

For persistent issues with 7z files that won't extract or open properly, the Fix My Mac fix Mac issues assistant is worth consulting. Describe what's happening, and it'll suggest targeted fixes based on your Mac's configuration.

How to open a 7z file on Mac

When looking for how to open 7z files on Mac, it all comes down to the tool that fits your workflow, as there are several options. They range from the built-in Archive Utility to more advanced tools like Archiver, BetterZip, and Commander One. There are even online options, and we’ll look at each in detail.

Use Archiver to unarchive files in one click

Archiver is one of the best 7z file openers. It has a simple interface but still offers lots of advanced functionalities. My favorite is that you can split a huge file into chunks while archiving it for quick transfer. You can then combine them easily during extraction.

Here's how to open a 7z file on Mac using Archiver:

1. Install and open Archiver.
2. Drag and drop your .7z file into the app. The app will extract the file within seconds.
3. After you do it, you’ll see your file unzipped immediately. Click the arrow next to the folder name to open the drop-down with the files it contains. That’s it!

Check out our guide on how to open RAR files on Mac for more details.

Use BetterZip to unzip files on Mac easily

BetterZip is my fav file compression tool because it's powerful yet super easy to use. One of the coolest things about it is that you can check out what's inside a compressed folder — you can preview, open, and even move files around without having to unzip everything. Plus, it lets you grab specific files, toss new ones into the folder, and delete any that you don't need.

Here's how to unzip 7z files using the tool:

1. Install and open BetterZip.
2. Drag items to the compress field.

3. Once you drop it, it’ll immediately show the .7z file contents.

BetterZip is especially useful to users who often work with compressed files and need advanced control over them. 

Use Commander One to manage files in two-pane mode

Commander One is another of the best archiver tools for Mac and a great Finder alternative. Its standout feature is a two-pane view that makes it super easy to manage files and archives. It also supports lots of file formats, and you can check and edit 7z files without having to extract them first.

Here's how to open a 7z file on Mac with Commander One:

1. Install and open Commander One.
2. Fond the 7z file and simply double-click to open it. It will appear as a regular folder. 
3. From there, you can view and move files to any folder on your Mac using the second pane.

Using the built-in Archive Utility app to extract 7z files 

Archive Utility is macOS's built-in tool for handling compressed files, and yes – it can extract 7z archives. It won't let you preview them or edit the files inside the compressed folder, but it's still a quick and easy option if you just need to unzip a 7z folder without installing additional software.

Here's how to unzip 7z files using Archive Utility:

1. Locate your 7z archive on Mac.
2. Right-click on it > Open With > Archive Utility app.
3. Access the newly created folder with the name in the same location.

Using Keka to extract many files at once

Keka is a lightweight but handy 7z Mac tool that lets you create and unzip files in different formats. The app makes it easy to extract multiple archives using its drag-and-drop interface, which makes the process quite efficient for users who often deal with compressed files.

Here's how to unzip 7z Mac files with Keka:

1. Install and open the app.
2. Drag and drop your .7z file onto the Keka window.
3. Keka will automatically extract the contents of the .7z file to the same folder or location where the .7z file is stored.

Using ezyZip to extract files online

If you're not into downloading apps, ezyZip is a great option. It's a web-based tool that lets you unzip and zip files, including 7z and other formats. The coolest part? You can use it offline. 

Here's how to open 7z files with ezyZip:

1. Visit ezyZip.com.

2. Go to Uncompress > 7z files.

3. Drag and drop your file.

4. Click Save > Save.

The tool is easy to use. But like all other free online tools, ezyZip is subject to privacy concerns, annoying ads, and file limits.

Should you use online tools to open 7z files?

Are online 7z extractors safe to use? If ezyZip isn't suitable for you, there are many online services that can help you extract your 7z files. However, it's important to note that uploading your files to these services can pose privacy risks as your data resides on their servers. These services are quite convenient as they are free and you don't need to install software. But as you can expect, there's a catch. Many online tools have restrictions on file sizes, which can be inconvenient. You'll also need to be careful to avoid uploading your sensitive files to an unknown server, as this risks your privacy. For better privacy, security, and efficiency, I recommend using apps like BetterZip or Archiver to open 7z files.

How to create 7z files on Mac

Even though the built-in Archive Utility can unzip 7z files, it doesn’t have the ability to create them. But don’t worry; making a 7z file on a Mac is pretty easy if you use the right app. 

From what I've seen, Archiver is a good app for creating 7z files on a Mac since most other tools can only handle unzipping and not creating this type of file. 

Here’s how to create a 7z file with Archiver:

1. Open Archiver and drag the files you want to compress into the app.
2. Click Archive on the top right corner > Choose 7ZIP as the format. You can also set the compression level and add encryption right here.
3. Click Archive. Once finished, simply click Export to save the file.

What are 7z files used for on a Mac?

7z is an archive format created by Igor Pavlov in 1999. It offers much better compression and security than ZIP, which makes it perfect for sharing large and sensitive files. It’s also open-source (unlike RAR) and so highly compatible, although you’ll still need a 7z file opener to create and open 7z files on Mac.

7z is widely used on Mac and other devices for various reasons:

• Reducing file sizes – It uses a much better compression method compared to ZIP, so it saves a lot of storage space.
• Sharing large files – It makes it easier to work with larger files.
• Splitting archives – You can split large files into smaller parts to make sharing easier and faster.
• Protects sensitive data – 7z uses the super-secure AES-256 encryption standard to protect files.
• Archiving rarely accessed files – It significantly helps free up space used by old files.

The efficiency makes 7z one of the best compression formats.

Extract 7z files on Mac in a few clicks 

Extracting 7z files on Mac is pretty simple when you have the right tool. Choosing one depends on your workflow and the control you’d like, but there are several options.

Archive Utility is built right into Mac and makes it fast and easy to open 7z files, but it’s also limited as you can’t edit files or create an archive. Advanced tools like Archiver, BetterZip, and Commander One give you more control and speed, while online tools offer convenience. And when you want to reduce the size even further, PDF Squeezer will let you share large files in a smaller format.

And the cool part? You can try out all four through Setapp’s 7-day free trial. It’s a fantastic platform for Mac, iOS, and web apps. It offers all sorts of tools, from file management to optimizing your Mac.