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5 best zip, rar, and unzip apps for Android

Finding an app to use archives isn't as big a deal, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Here are some apps to help.
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Published onMarch 22, 2025

Google Files app logo on smartphone with manila folder and colorful background Stock photo 5
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

One of the more common types of files that we have to deal with are archived files. You’ve seen them before, and they come in zip, rar, 7z, tar, and other file types. The point of using archives is to put a lot of files into a single spot that takes up less digital space. If you need to deal with some of these files, here are the best zip, rar, and unzip apps for Android!

Please note that these are apps that specialize in this one activity. Most file managers also have built-in archive features and do better for general-purpose stuff. You can kill two birds with one stone by grabbing one of them.

The best zip and unzip apps for Android


MiXplorer Silver

Price: $5.99

MiXplorer Silver screenshot 2021

MiXplorer Silver is a file manager app. Technically, any file manager app has basic archiving abilities. Thus, if you just need one for ZIPs or RARs, anything should work. However, MiXplorer Silver makes the list because it handles so much more than that.

The list of unpacking and packing is a little different. However, overall, the app supports about two dozen archive file types. Additionally, it’s just a good file browser with all of the basics along with expanded functionality. Check out the Play Store listing for the full list of supported archive types.


RAR

Price: Free / $0.99 yearly

RAR screenshot 2020 - Best apps for unarchiving zip files

RAR is from RARLAB, the same developers who developed Winrar, which makes this literally Winrar for Android. As you’d expect, it comes with support for tons of file types, including the bigger ones like rar, zip, tar, 7z, and many others. There is also the usual array of encryption and password options.

With this app, you can also run your archives through benchmarks to see how they stack up and even run commands to repair damaged archive files (with varying degrees of success). It’s a powerful app and probably the one you should go for. The app is free. There is a $0.99 yearly subscription, but it really doesn’t improve the app. It is just a way to donate to the development team.


Files by Google

Price: Free

Google Files app logo on smartphone with colored background Stock photo 2 - Best apps for unarchiving zip files
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

You may already have a perfectly capable app for opening archived files. Files by Google comes pre-installed in many Android phones, and if yours doesn’t already have it, you can simply get it from the Google Play store. It can unzip the most popular archive formats, including zip, rar, tar, and gzip.

The best part is that this app is completely free. It has no ads or anything, just like most other Google apps. I personally use it, and it gets the job done just fine.


ZArchiver

Price: Free

ZArchiver screenshot 2020

ZArchiver is a totally free tool and one that has been around on Android for many years. That said, there is a ZArchiver Donate app, which adds a few fun features that are totally unnecessary for the app’s functionality.

ZArchiver provides a decent user experience with generally easy controls, and it comes with support for plenty of archive file types. There are also the usual options for encryption, password protection, and splitting archives if you need that as well.

There really isn’t any razzle-dazzle with this application, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s great for those who just want to get in, get it done, and get out. It’ll do what you need it to do. It’s not like most of us need to use these apps too often, anyway.


Zee Archiver

Price: Free

Zee Archiver is a simple, open-source archiver and decompressor app. It works with all of the major formats, including 7Z, APK, TAR, ZIP, RAR, and more. It even works with multi-part RAR archives, so you can get all of your files back correctly.

Some other features include the ability to password protect 7z and ZIP archives, encrypted archive support, and options for when you want to encrypt things. It’s pretty good, completely free, and open source.


If we missed any of the best zip, rar, and unzip apps for Android, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists.

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