How To Zip And Unzip Files On Android RAR ZIP 7Z

Compressing and Decompressing Files on Android: A Comprehensive Guide

Managing compressed files on your Android device is essential for efficient data transfer and storage. Here’s a detailed guide on how to zip and unzip files in various formats, including RAR, ZIP, and 7Z.

Downloading and Installing Necessary Apps

To handle RAR, ZIP, and 7Z files, you will need to download and install specific apps from the Google Play Store.

RAR for Android: This app is developed by the creators of WinRAR and allows you to compress and decompress files in RAR and ZIP formats. It also supports decompression of other formats like TAR, GZ, BZ2, XZ, ISO, and ARJ.
ZArchiver: This app is ideal for creating and extracting 7Z files, as well as other formats. It offers advanced features like password protection and variable compression levels.

Unzipping Files

Unzipping ZIP Files Using Files by Google

For simple ZIP file extraction, you can use the Files by Google app, which is often pre-installed on Android devices.

Open Files by Google: Navigate to the folder containing the ZIP file you want to unzip.
Select the ZIP File: Tap on the ZIP file to view its contents.
Extract: Tap the "Extract" button to decompress the file. You can choose to delete the original ZIP file after extraction.

Unzipping RAR and 7Z Files

For more advanced formats like RAR and 7Z, use either RAR for Android or ZArchiver.

Using RAR for Android:
- Open the RAR app and navigate to the folder containing the RAR or 7Z file.
- Tap and hold on the file to select it, then tap the "Extract" button.
- Choose the destination path and tap "OK" to complete the extraction.
Using ZArchiver:
- Open ZArchiver and navigate to the folder containing the 7Z file.
- Long-tap on the 7Z file to bring up the context menu, then select "Extract Here".

Creating ZIP and RAR Files

To create ZIP or RAR files using RAR for Android:

Open RAR: Navigate to the files you want to compress.
Select Files: Check the boxes next to the files you want to include in the archive.
Archive: Tap the "Archive" button.
Choose Format: Select either RAR or ZIP format. You can also choose RAR 4.x for better compression.
Set Destination: Choose the destination path and optionally add a password.
Options: You can choose to delete the original files after archiving and create a solid archive if saving as RAR.
Confirm: Tap "OK" to create the archive.

Creating 7Z Files

To create 7Z files using ZArchiver:

Open ZArchiver: Navigate to the files or folder you want to compress.
Select Files: Long-tap on the files or folder to bring up the context menu, then select "Compress".
Choose Format: Select the 7Z format and adjust the compression level as needed.
Add Password: Optionally add a password for security.
Confirm: Tap "OK" to start the compression process.

Advanced Features and Tips

Password Protection

Both RAR for Android and ZArchiver offer the option to add passwords to your archives, ensuring that only authorized users can access the contents.

Variable Compression Levels

ZArchiver allows you to adjust the compression level, which can significantly reduce the size of the archive but may increase the time it takes to compress.

Handling Split Archives

If you have split ZIP files, you can use RAR for Android or ZArchiver to combine them. Simply open the first part of the split archive and follow the extraction process. The app will automatically handle the rest of the parts.

By following these steps and using the right apps, you can efficiently manage compressed files on your Android device, making it easier to share and store data.