Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

Compressed archived files such as RAR and ZIP files are widely used to reduce the size of files for easier transfer over the Internet, as well as to bundle related files before forwarding them to others. ZIP files can be created and extracted by the Mac OS X operating system, but extracting a RAR file requires external software. Follow these steps to open a RAR file with your Mac.

To step

1. Download an archive program. You need a program that can extract the mutual files from the RAR file. You can find archive programs in the App store or on the websites of the various developers. Free open source programs are available. The most popular programs are:
   • UnRarX
   • iArchiver
   • RAR Expander
   • StuffIt Expander
2. Install the program. If you downloaded the app from the App store, simply click on the "Install" button that will automatically appear when the program is downloaded. You may have to log in with your Apple ID first. If you downloaded the app from a website, drag the downloaded program into the Applications folder to install it.
3. Set to open RAR files from now on with the program you just downloaded. Find a RAR file on your computer, hold down Control and click on the file with your mouse. Select "Open With ..." from the menu that appears and select the program you downloaded. Press OK.
4. Open the file. From now on, any file with a .rar extension is associated with your downloaded archive program, so the program will extract the file when you double-click the file. Depending on the program, you may see the progress status in a window.
   • If you want to extract a multi-part RAR file ("multiple-part RAR"), double-click the first file and the rest will be automatically extracted.
5. Enter your password if necessary. Some RAR files are protected, then you will be asked for your password before the file is extracted. Enter your password correctly, otherwise the files will not be extracted. Not all archive programs work with password protection.
6. Extract the file. Most programs allow you to preset the download location. Other programs will automatically place the extracted file in the same folder as the RAR file. Select the desired location and click the "Extract" or "Extract" button.
   • Each program has its own interface, it never looks quite the same, but the functions and possibilities are almost the same.

Tips

• To use the Mac App store, you need Mac OS X 10.6 or later (Snow Leopard, Lion or Mountain Lion). If you have an older version of Mac OS X, or you don't have an Apple account, download the software from the website using your browser. For example, you can download the StuffIt Expander software here.

Warnings

• You must be connected to the internet to download the software.