How to open RAR files on Mac: Easy methods and tools that actually work

RAR files are more like ZIP files in that they compress folders and bundle up several files into a tidy package. The format is even better than ZIP in compressing files, but Mac doesn’t really know what to do with .rar files. If you download one or a co-worker shares a RAR file, your Mac will just stare at you.

That’s why most of us end up turning to .rar extractor Mac tools at some point. Apps like Archiver and BetterZip bring native-level RAR support to Mac, making it possible to open, extract, convert, and secure compressed files. Terminal also works, but it’s better suited to advanced users.

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

The goal	How to achieve it
An easy-to-use interface for opening RAR	Install Archiver > Drag and drop RAR file into the window > Click Extract.
A platform for browsing and extracting multiple folders and files.	Install BetterZip > Select RAR folder to open > Click Extract.
To extract RAR files using Mac Terminal	Use /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

If you're having trouble opening a RAR file even after following these steps, the Fix My Mac GPT tool can help troubleshoot what's going wrong. It walks through common file association issues and suggests specific fixes based on your Mac's configuration.

How to open RAR files on Mac using Archiver and BetterZip

Macs don’t have built-in applications to help you open RAR files natively, so you’ll need to download a third-party tool to do so. Here are two nifty solutions to make opening RAR files on Mac as smooth as butter: Archiver and BetterZip.

Archiver lets you effortlessly compress and decompress a range of files, all on one user-friendly interface. Rather than struggle on browser-based platforms, this handy program can open RAR, ZIP, and other compressed file formats – no problem.

Let’s say we’ve got a bunch of pictures of dogs in costumes that exist in an RAR file, and you want to open it to show your friends.

Here’s how to open .rar files on Mac and convert them to ZIP or 7-Zip format:

1. Install and open Archiver.

2. Drag and drop the RAR file into the window.

3. Preview your files and click Convert.

4. Choose the destination format and compression level.

5. Tick Encrypt and type a password.

6. Click Convert.

Just like that, your file will be converted to an encrypted ZIP/7-ZIP archive.

Archiver allows you to preview the contents of your file before even unzipping it. It also lets you extract multiple RAR files at the same time, and convert them into many other formats, including ZIP, 7ZIP, TAR.BZ, TAR.Z, and TAR. The app also provides different compression levels (none, low, medium, high) and password protection.

If you prefer a full-on platform to handle all your file compressing, BetterZip acts as a convenient file reader and manager for over 30 archive formats. It can be integrated into a bunch of productivity apps and is especially useful if you deal with lots of files and archives on a regular basis.

Rather than a simple drag-and-drop format like Archiver, BetterZip lets you browse through the folders on your computer or drag your RAR folder into the window for extraction or compression. Here’s how to use it:

Here’s how to open .rar files on Mac using BetterZip:

1. Download and open BetterZip.

2. Select the RAR folder you want to open.

3. Browse individual files with details such as size, kind, and dimensions.

4. Choose specific files or entire folders for extraction.

5. Click Extract.

You can also edit compressed files without uncompressing them and batch process files using AES encryption if needed.

How to open RAR files on Mac with Terminal (for advanced users)

There’s also another way you can unpack RAR files on Mac, and that’s by using a Mac Terminal. While this method might sound a little more technologically advanced, it’s not as intimidating as you might think.

Simply:

1. Install Homebrew.

2. Install unar.

3. Extract RAR files.

Here’s the complete process: 

1. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities > Terminal. 

2. Type and enter the command /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)". Enter your password when prompted, and it will install Homebrew.

   

3. Use the command brew install unrar to install Terminal’s unarchiver tool.

   

From there on, you now only need to navigate to the specific folder and use Terminal to open RAR files on Mac.

1. Navigate to the directory (e.g., Downloads) using the command cd ~/Downloads. You can also drag the file to Terminal.

2. Run unar filename.rar to extract the file. Replace “filename” with the exact name of your file.

   

RAR vs ZIP: When to use each on Mac

ZIP files are another similar type of data compression file format you might’ve heard of. They function just about the same way, with both RAR and ZIP supporting lossless data compression, which means you won’t be left with a downgraded version of your original files when you archive them (compress them).

While it’s obvious that ZIP has the fame that RAR doesn’t, RAR files are a dream when it comes to storage space. As they have a higher compression ratio, they’re able to provide smaller and more condensed files. 

The only problem is that RAR files can be trickier to deal with because of this. While ZIP runs on just about any operating system, unpacking RAR files on Mac isn’t as straightforward because Macs don’t have the instincts to know how to open them. The good news is that, while your Mac might not have the built-in skills to handle RAR files, there are third-party tools you can use to help it out.

Here's an overview of the two:

Feature	ZIP	RAR
Compression	Fast, lightweight compression. Great for everyday files	Higher compression ratio
Compatibility	Works natively with Mac and Windows	Requires a RAR Mac extractor
Security	Basic password protection	Stronger encryption options for sensitive documents
Speed	Faster to compress/decompress	Slightly slower due to deeper compression
Use cases	Emails, quick transfers, simple attachments	Large folders, secure archives, multi-file projects

There are a variety of reasons why someone would want to use RAR over ZIP and vice versa:

Use ZIP when – 

• You want a universally recognized file type that can be opened by the built-in software on different operating systems, including Mac. If you’re planning to share these files among many people who potentially use different systems, ZIP can make life a lot easier.
• You have an extremely large amount of data to deal with. ZIP files are able to decompress and compress a lot faster, which is useful if you don’t want to wait and want better efficiency.

Use RAR when –

• You’re looking for advanced features like error recovery, password protection, and creating multi-part archives, where you can pack and unpack them on their own without affecting other parts.
• Your priority is compressing to small sizes to send files online or conserve space. RAR usually offers superior compression rates, which will give you smaller sizes than ZIP.
• You’re dealing with sensitive information. RAR works with a stronger encryption algorithm, so there’s a higher level of security provided. 

If you’d like a refresher on handling ZIP files on macOS, here’s a simple way to zip and unzip files on Mac.

What is a RAR file, and why can’t Mac open it natively

RAR stands for Roshal Archive, and it’s a file format that was developed in 1993 by a software engineer named Eugene Roshal. If you picture one of those vacuum storage bags that can compress clothes, towels, and stuffed animals, that’s essentially what a RAR file is. It houses tons of data and files, whether audio, video, or another document type, and puts them into a handy, space-saving bag that’s a lot easier to store and share. The beauty of RAR files is that when it does come time to unpack them, they won’t change in terms of quality.

Compression serves to save space or decrease the time it takes to send something over the internet. But this doesn’t mean that a 10 GB file will magically turn into a 1 GB file – it all depends on the file type and the maximum compression ratio the tool and file allow. For example, while text files are easy to make small, multimedia files can prove more difficult as they are naturally much larger.

There are a couple of instances when RAR is most commonly used:

• Downloading large files or volumes of data. When you download anything from the internet, whether it’s a video game or another piece of software, you’ll often find that their files are neatly put into a compressed folder to save space and improve download speed.
• Sending files over email. Email providers often have a cap on how much data you can send over to a recipient, hence why file transfer services exist in the first place. They also don’t allow you to send entire folders, only files. If you compress these files into RAR files, you might be able to successfully send them as a singular file.
• Freeing up space on your computer. We’re sure many of you have been in a situation where your computer starts to slow down and lets you know that it’s running out of storage space. RAR files are the way to go if you want to make room yet still have access to those files.
• Dealing with sensitive files. An underrated feature of RAR files is that you can encrypt them with a password. If you’ve got legal files, personal information, or other sensitive documents, it’s a suitable way to share, store, or distribute them in a secure manner.

There are two terms you’ll frequently come across when it comes to RARs. While “compression” is all about reducing the size of your files, “archiving” refers to putting multiple files into one to make storage and transfer more effective. These actions can exist independently of each other as some might want to archive files without compressing them into smaller sizes, and others might want to compress certain individual files without archiving them. Most common tools offer both features, as it’s considered most practical to use both techniques together.

Open and manage RAR files on Mac seamlessly with Setapp

Where there’s a will, there’s a way – and we’ve proven that by showing you just how to unrar on Mac. We discussed what RAR files are and how they differ from ZIP files, as well as how to use a RAR extractor Mac tools like Archiver, BetterZip, and Commander One for the most secure and effective unpacking possible.

These three tools are available on Setapp, a gateway to an array of 260+ incredible apps under a single subscription. The platform helps Mac users avoid paying for multiple subscriptions, and you get a wide variety of tools, from file extraction to performance management. You can check out the platform using its 7-day free trial. The trial offers the entire catalog with no feature restrictions, so feel free to try out any app you’d like.