Table of Contents
This updated guide examines How to Open Rar Files on Mac Os X and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.
Method 1of 2:
Using Unarchiver
Download the Unarchiver application. The Unarchiver is an app that allows you to open RAR files on your Mac. To download it, do the following:
- Open your Mac's
App Store - Click the search bar in the upper-right side of the App Store window.
- Typeunarchiverinto the search bar, then press?Return.
- Click Get below the "Unarchiver" heading.
- Click Install App below the "Unarchiver" heading when prompted.
- Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
- Open your Mac's
Open Launchpad. Click the Launchpad icon, which resembles a rocket ship. It's usually found in the Dock at the bottom of your Mac's screen.
Click The Unarchiver application. This will launch the Unarchiver program.
- If prompted, you may have to select whether you want to save unarchived files to the same folder each time, or if you want to be asked each time.
Click theArchive Formatstab. It's at the top of the window.
Check the "RAR Archive" box. Doing so ensures that the Unarchiver program will be able to open RAR files in the future.
Select a RAR file. Go to the location of a RAR file which you want to open, then click the RAR file.
- If you are trying to extract a multi-part RAR file, start with the ".rar" or ".part001.rar" file. All the parts should be in the same folder.
ClickFile. It's at the top of your Mac's screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
- In some cases, you may also be able to double-click the RAR file to open it in Unarchiver. This may not work if you have multiple apps which can open RAR files on your Mac.
SelectOpen With. This option is in the File drop-down menu. A pop-out will appear.
ClickThe Unarchiver. It's in the pop-out menu. Doing so will prompt your RAR file to open in Unarchiver, which will begin extracting the RAR file's contents into the RAR's folder.
- If the RAR file is password-protected, you'll be prompted to enter the password before the files can be extracted.
Open the extracted file(s). By default, The Unarchiver will extract the RAR's files into the same folder in which the RAR file was located. For example, if the RAR file was in the Desktop folder, you'll find the extracted files there.
Method 2of 2:
Using StuffIt Expander
Open the StuffIt Expander website. Go to http://my.smithmicro.com/stuffit-expander-mac.html in your computer's web browser. StuffIt Expander is a free application that supports a wide variety of archive files, including RAR.
Download StuffIt Expander. To do so:
- Enter your email address in the "Email*" field.
- Click FREE Download
- Click Download
Install StuffIt Expander. Double-click the downloaded DMG file, click Agree when prompted, and wait for it to install.
- You may be prompted to verify the software before you can install it.
Open StuffIt Expander. Double-click the StuffIt Expander app icon to do so.
- If prompted, click Open .
ClickMove to Applications Folder. This will finish installing and opening StuffIt Expander; you should now be able to use this app to open RAR files.
ClickStuffIt Expander. This menu item is in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
ClickPreferences…. You'll find it in the StuffIt Expander drop-down menu.
Click theAdvancedtab. It's at the top of the Preferences window.
Scroll down and clickRAR. You'll find this option in the middle of the window.
ClickAssign to StuffIt Expander. It's on the right side of the window. Doing so allows StuffIt Expander to open RAR files on your Mac.
Close the window. Click the red button in the upper-left corner of the window to do so.
Double-click a RAR file. Doing so should launch StuffIt Expander, which will begin extracting the RAR's files.
- If StuffIt Expander does not launch, right-click or control-click the RAR file, then select Open With and click StuffIt Expander .
- If you are trying to extract a multi-part RAR file, start with the ".rar" or ".part001.rar" file. All the parts should be in the same folder.
- If the RAR file is password-protected, you'll be prompted to enter the password before the files can be extracted.
Open the extracted file(s). By default, StuffIt Expander will extract the files into the same folder in which the RAR file was located. For example, if the RAR file was in the Desktop folder, you'll find the extracted files there.
FAQ
What is How to Open Rar Files on Mac Os X about?
It provides a structured overview of rar, explains the main context, and highlights practical takeaways for readers.
Why does this topic matter?
Understanding the main concepts helps readers evaluate the issue, avoid common mistakes, and make better-informed decisions.
How should readers use this information?
Use the guidance as a practical starting point, confirm details that may have changed, and follow current product, safety, or security recommendations.

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