Mac
How to Open a RAR File on a Mac
If double-clicking a RAR file on your Mac does nothing, that's expected — macOS has no built-in RAR support. Here's exactly what to do instead.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
Unlike ZIP files, RAR archives have no built-in handler on macOS, so double-clicking one for the first time typically does nothing, or macOS may offer to search the App Store for a compatible app. This is normal, not a sign anything is broken. Follow these steps to open it properly.
Why double-clicking does nothing
Finder relies on registered file handlers to know what to do with a given extension. Since Apple does not include RAR support in Archive Utility, .rar files simply have no default app assigned until you install one. This is explained further on RAR for Mac.
Step-by-step: install an extractor and open the file
- 1Install a free extractorDownload The Unarchiver from the Mac App Store, or Keka from its official website, and move it into Applications.
- 2Launch the app onceOpen it from Applications or Launchpad before trying to use it on a file, so macOS registers it correctly.
- 3Allow it past Gatekeeper if promptedIf you downloaded the app outside the App Store, macOS may block the first launch with a security warning. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to the security section, and click Open Anyway, then confirm.
- 4Right-click the RAR file and choose Open WithSelect the extractor app from the list, or click 'Other...' to browse for it if it isn't listed yet.
- 5Check the extracted contentsThe extractor creates a new folder or files alongside the original archive. Open it to confirm everything extracted correctly.
Set the extractor as the permanent default (optional)
To make future RAR files open automatically on double-click, select a RAR file, press Command+I for Get Info, choose your extractor under 'Open with,' and click 'Change All...'. Full setup details are in setting up a RAR extractor on Mac.
Terminal fallback
If you'd rather not install a GUI app, or you're on a Mac where you can't install App Store software, Homebrew plus a command-line tool works too.
- 1Install HomebrewIf not already installed, run the official Homebrew install command from brew.sh (external) in Terminal.
- 2Install unarRun
brew install unarin Terminal. - 3Navigate to the fileUse
cdto move into the folder containing the RAR file, for examplecd ~/Downloads. - 4Extract itRun
unar archivename.rarto extract into the current folder.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't a RAR file open when I double-click it on my Mac?
macOS has no built-in RAR support, so a RAR file has no default app until you install a free extractor like The Unarchiver or Keka.
What does the Gatekeeper warning mean when I open a new extractor app?
It's macOS confirming you trust an app that wasn't downloaded from the App Store. Approve it once in System Settings > Privacy & Security if the source is legitimate.
Can I open a RAR file on Mac without installing any app?
Yes, using Terminal with a command-line tool such as unar, installed via Homebrew, though a GUI extractor is simpler for most people.
The RAR file opens but the extracted files look wrong or incomplete — what now?
The archive may be corrupted or incompletely downloaded. See corrupted RAR file for troubleshooting steps.
Related guides
- Setting Up a RAR Extractor on MacThis walkthrough installs a free extractor, makes it the default app for RAR files, and covers extracting single and multiple archives in Finder.
- RAR for Mac: How to Handle RAR ArchivesThere is no single official "RAR for Mac" app, but several reliable ways exist to open and, less commonly, create RAR archives on macOS.
- How to Fix a Corrupted RAR ArchiveA corrupted RAR archive can sometimes be repaired, and sometimes can't. Here's how to test one, what recovery tools actually do, and when re-downloading is the real fix.
- Why Won't My RAR File Open?Work through these causes in order, from most to least common. Most RAR files that "won't open" are fixed at the first or second step.
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