How to Open RAR Files on a Mac

RAR is a compressed file extension that is used to decrease the size of some files. This is done in order to ensure that larger files can be downloaded and viewed faster. These types of files can be broken down into parts of equal size to make archiving much simpler too. RAR files also have the ability to be password protected so that they can only be viewed by those that are allowed access. If you are using a Mac computer, opening a file with the .rar extension will require special software.

The first thing you will want to do is to become familiar with .rar files. It is important to note first that .rar files are more popular with Windows users rather than those operating on a Mac operating system, so if the program is available in a .dmg file, then you may be better off trying to find the .dmg version since this will open automatically on your Mac.

If you can't find a .dmg version of your file, then to open a file with the .rar file extension on a Mac computer you will need to use a special type of software known as a file expander.

Using a File Expander

If you are operating on Mac OS X you can try the built in file expander for this operating system. The built in program on this operating system is known as the Stuffit Expander. The Stuffit Expander will decompress the .rar files in order to make them readable by your Mac computer. If the Stuffit Expander program will not work to unpack the .rar file, you may have to download some additional software.

Two of the recommended software programs to unpack .rar files on the Mac are software programs known as UnrarX and RAR Expander. Both support Apple script, which fixes any conflict that may occur and which allows the file to open properly on Mac computers. Once you have downloaded and installed one of these, or other programs, you will need to open the program and follow the prompts and instructions contained within to find and open the .rar file.

After you have pointed the program to the proper file, it should automatically open (un-RAR) the file. The decompressed file or files will usually appear in a folder created by the Unrarer program.

Finally, sometimes files are large enough that even when compressed it takes more than one .rar file to contain all the information. Files that require more than one .rar file are known as volumes. You will know if the .rar file you are using contains more than one file normally by the file name such as .rar01, .rar02, etc.  If it does, you'll need to unrar reach individual file.

The Stuffit Expander on Mac OS systems is also capable of making your own files with the .rar extension. You can take advantage of this option in order to free up space on the hard drive of your computer.

Computer Security

Now that you know how to open .RAR files on a Mac, you should also make sure that when dealing with this type of file, you always run the file through a virus scan on your computer before decompressing it. Sometimes viruses are packed within these types of files and, once open, these viruses can wreak havoc on your computer system.