The simplest way to open a RAR file on Mac

The built-in Archive Utility on Mac does not handle RAR files — it only works with ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, and a few other formats. To open a RAR file, you need a third-party tool. The most straightforward option is The Unarchiver, a free app from the Mac App Store that handles RAR along with dozens of other archive formats.

Download The Unarchiver from the Mac App Store, then double-click any RAR file on your Mac. It will open with The Unarchiver by default and extract the contents to the same folder. That is the entire process — no configuration needed.

If you prefer not to use the App Store, Keka is another free option available from its own website. Both tools work the same way: install once, then RAR files open automatically when you double-click them.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac's built-in Archive Utility cannot open RAR files, so you need a separate tool like The Unarchiver or Keka.
  • The Unarchiver is free, available on the Mac App Store, and requires no setup — just install and double-click RAR files.
  • Keka is another free option if you want to avoid the App Store, downloaded directly from its website.
  • Once installed, your chosen tool becomes the default for RAR files, so you do not have to select it each time.

Why Mac cannot open RAR files natively

RAR is a proprietary compression format owned by RARLAB, a Russian software company. Apple chose not to license RAR support in Archive Utility because ZIP became the standard for most everyday file sharing. Archive Utility handles ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, and 7z, which covers the vast majority of compressed files people encounter.

RAR files are still common in certain communities — particularly for large software distributions, game mods, and older archives — but they are not common enough for Apple to include native support. This is why you see the same limitation on Windows machines without WinRAR or 7-Zip installed.

Installing and using The Unarchiver

Open the Mac App Store, search for "The Unarchiver," and click Install. The app is free and made by Objective Development, a Swiss software company. Once installed, it sits in your Applications folder but does not need to be opened manually.

When you download a RAR file or receive one via email, right-click it and select "Open With" — The Unarchiver should appear in the list. Click it, and the file extracts immediately. The extracted files appear in the same folder as the RAR file itself. If you want RAR files to always open with The Unarchiver, right-click a RAR file, select "Get Info," go to "Open With," choose The Unarchiver, and click "Change All."

The Unarchiver also handles password-protected RAR files. When you double-click a password-protected archive, a dialog box appears asking for the password. Type it in and the extraction proceeds.

Using Keka if you prefer not to use the App Store

Keka is a free compression tool available at keka.io. Download the DMG file, drag Keka into your Applications folder, and you are done. Like The Unarchiver, Keka opens RAR files by default once installed.

Keka also lets you create new archives in multiple formats, including RAR, though creating RAR files requires a separate license from RARLAB. For opening RAR files, Keka is completely free with no restrictions.

What to do if a RAR file will not extract

If The Unarchiver or Keka shows an error when you try to open a RAR file, the file is likely corrupted or incomplete. This happens most often when a download was interrupted. Try downloading the file again from the original source.

If the file is password-protected and you enter the wrong password, the tool will reject it. Make sure you have the correct password — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" is different from "password."

Occasionally, very old RAR files created with RAR version 4 or earlier may not extract cleanly in newer tools. If you encounter this, try Keka instead of The Unarchiver, or vice versa — one tool sometimes handles legacy files better than the other.

Alternatives if you need more control

If you work with RAR files regularly and need features like batch extraction or advanced compression settings, BetterZip is a paid option ($29.99) that offers a graphical interface for managing archives. It handles RAR along with most other formats and lets you preview files inside an archive before extracting.

For command-line users, Homebrew can install the open-source unar tool, which extracts RAR files from the terminal. This is useful if you automate file extraction as part of a workflow, but it requires familiarity with the command line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a RAR file without installing anything?

No. Mac does not support RAR natively, so you must install a tool first. The Unarchiver is the fastest option because it is free and available immediately from the App Store.

Is The Unarchiver safe to use?

Yes. The Unarchiver is made by Objective Development, a legitimate software company, and is available on the official Mac App Store. It does not contain ads, malware, or tracking.

What happens to the RAR file after I extract it?

The RAR file stays on your Mac. Extraction creates new files from inside the archive but does not delete the original RAR file. You can delete the RAR file yourself once you confirm the extracted files are what you need.

Can I open a RAR file that is split into multiple parts?

Yes. If you have a RAR archive split into parts (usually named file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, and so on), place all parts in the same folder. Open the first part with The Unarchiver or Keka, and the tool will automatically read all the parts and extract the complete contents.

Why does my RAR file open as an archive instead of the actual file inside?

The RAR file itself is the archive — it is a container holding compressed files. When you extract it, you get the actual files that were compressed. If you see a RAR icon after extraction, the extraction did not complete. Try extracting again or check that you have enough free disk space.