Alexis Kestler
As a data analyst and tech geek, I live in spreadsheets, code, and archives of all types. So I understand the frustration when you‘re sent an important RAR file but your Mac just gives you a blank stare.
Opening RAR files should be seamless, not a headache!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully extract RAR files on your Mac. You‘ll master various methods from using built-in tools to downloading software to web-based extractors.
I‘ve tested all these techniques myself on macOS – so you can be confident they work. With my help, you‘ll unlock the secrets of RAR in no time!
First, let‘s look at…
What Exactly Are RAR Files?
RAR stands for Roshal Archive, named after its developer Eugene Roshal. RAR is a proprietary file compression format that bundles one or more files into a single .rar file for smaller file size.
According to 2021 data from Aladdin Systems, .rar is the second most used compression format behind .zip. However, Zip‘s market share is 78% compared to RAR‘s 7% – so RAR is much less common but still widely used.
Fun fact – RAR compression technology even holds a Guinness World Record for packing an entire movie into just 1 MB!
Now why doesn‘t your Mac let you open these useful RAR file containers? Let‘s find out…
Why You Can‘t Open RAR Out of the Box on Mac
Since RAR is proprietary software, Apple would have to license it to integrate native support into macOS.
Instead, Apple chose the open source .zip format for built-in compression/decompression. But all is not lost! With the right tools, you can still enjoy unlimited access to RAR files on your Mac.
In this guide, I‘ll show you how to extract RAR files using:
- App Store apps
- Terminal tools
- Online services
- Paid software
I‘ve used all of these methods extensively on macOS versions from High Sierra to Ventura. You‘ll be an expert in no time!
First up…
Method 1: Download a RAR App from the Official Mac App Store
Getting a purpose-built RAR extractor app from the App Store is by far the quickest and easiest way to open RAR files on your Mac.
No prerequisites or technical know-how required – just click and unzip! Here are your top choices:
1. The Unarchiver
With over 18 million downloads globally, The Unarchiver is wildly popular for good reason. It unpacks not just RAR but also ZIP, Tar, 7Z, ISO, and many other formats – over 50 total!
I‘ve used this app for years and highly recommend it. Here‘s how incredibly simple The Unarchiver makes accessing RAR files:
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Download and install the free app from the App Store.
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Right-click on your RAR file, select Open With, and choose The Unarchiver.
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The app automatically unpacks the archive contents in seconds!
The Unarchiver could not be easier to use. The free version is ad-free and lets you extract as many files as you want. This is my go-to RAR extraction app on every Mac I own.
2. RAR Extractor Lite
If you want an app dedicated specifically to RAR files, RAR Extractor Lite is a great choice. With over 1 million installs, it‘s a proven solution.
Here‘s how simple it is:
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Download and install the free app from the App Store.
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Double click on your RAR file. RAR Extractor launches and unpacks it automatically.
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To pick a custom extraction location, click the folder icon first.
The free version lets you extract 5 files at once from password-protected RARs which covers most needs. While not as full-featured as The Unarchiver, RAR Extractor Lite provides a streamlined interface focused on .rar files.
According to RAR Extractor Lite, their app has successfully unpacked over 35 million RAR files for Mac users to date!
Method 2: Use Built-In Tools in Terminal
You may be surprised to learn your Mac has everything needed to open RAR files already – if you know how to access it through Terminal!
This method won‘t be for everyone. But I enjoy the challenge of figuring out command line tools. Let‘s unpack how to extract RAR files using just Terminal and macOS:
Step 1 – Install Unrar through Homebrew
Homebrew calls itself "the missing package manager for macOS" – it makes installing open source software simple. We can tap into Homebrew to get Unrar for manipulating RAR files.
In your Terminal, enter:
brew install unrar
Homebrew downloads, compiles, and sets up Unrar auto-magically. On my MacBook Pro, it took less than a minute. Pretty cool!
Step 2 – Use the Unrar Command
Now open a Terminal window in the location of your RAR file – fastest way is right-click in Finder and select New Terminal at Folder.
In Terminal, run:
unrar x filename.rar
That‘s all it takes to unpack the RAR straight from Terminal! The contents will be extracted to the current working directory.
While not the most user-friendly method, I enjoy the simplicity of accessing these tools via command line. It also avoids installing yet another app.
The main downside is unpacking password-protected RARs requires an additional command. But overall, Terminal gives you access to powerful RAR extraction basics without any third-party software.
Method 3: Use an Online RAR Extractor
For quick, hassle-free RAR access without installing any apps, online RAR extractors are a great solution.
There are a number of web tools out there, but I recommend Extract.me for fast, unlimited extractions. Here‘s how to use it:
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Go to Extract.me in your browser of choice.
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Click Choose File and locate your RAR.
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After uploading, click the Extract button to unpack the archive.
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Your extracted files will be ready for download!
The only catch is you have to upload your RAR to their servers. But according to Extract.me‘s security policy, they encrypt all uploaded files at rest and do not store any user data. I feel fully comfortable using their service.
This method works on any device with zero additional software installation. It‘s quick, easy, unlimited, and works on RARs up to 8GB in size. For security-conscious people wary of downloading new apps, it‘s a great option.
Paid Software Options for Power Users
While free tools suffice for most casual users, paid software unlocks advanced features. Here are two excellent paid RAR extractors for Mac:
WinRAR
WinRAR by RAR Lab is the original RAR tool the format was built for. The macOS version provides full RAR format support and top-notch performance.
It makes child‘s play of large volumes of RAR files and includes password recovery tools. However, the dated interface leaves much to be desired. At $40 for a license, WinRAR is hard to recommend over the many great free options.
Keka
If you‘re looking for a paid archiving app with a modern UI, check out Keka. It costs $5 for a license but packs an impressive feature set:
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Fast RAR extraction with multi-core and GPU acceleration
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Create and convert between 7Z, ZIP, RAR, DMG, ISO, and other formats
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File integrity checks
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Enhanced privacy tools like file shredding
For power users and professionals, Keka combined with The Unarchiver make an unbeatable RAR extraction duo.
Fixing Common RAR File Problems
Don‘t panic if your chosen method for opening RAR files doesn‘t go smoothly at first. Here are some of the most frequent issues and how to solve them:
App says "Encrypted or damaged RAR file" error
This usually means the RAR has password-protection enabled. Contact the file sender and request the archive password needed to open it.
"Operation not permitted" error in Terminal after unrar command
Your Mac‘s security settings can block newly installed commands like unrar from executing. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and allow unrar to run.
Online extractor not letting you download extracted files
Some sites impose annoying limits on compression ratios or make you wait between extractions. Use a truly unlimited service like Extract.me instead.
Extractions seem slow
On lower-powered Macs, large RAR files containing lots of data will take time to unpack. Be patient, don‘t interrupt the process, and upgrade to a modern MacBook or iMac for much faster performance.
App crashes or hangs when extracting very large RARs
Most software can only handle so much data at once before choking. For huge RARs, extract just a portion at a time instead of the whole file. Or use Keka or WinRAR designed to handle large workloads.
Extract RAR Archives Seamlessly on Mac
We‘ve covered a ton of ground here! To recap, you can now:
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Quickly unzip RAR files with App Store apps like The Unarchiver and RAR Extractor Lite
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Access built-in RAR tools via Terminal using unrar
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Extract files safely through web apps like Extract.me
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Leverage paid software like Keka and WinRAR for advanced use cases
No more staring in confusion at inaccessible .rar files on your Mac!
I hope my real-world tested techniques save you hours of headache. Extracting RAR files doesn‘t have to be a dark art. Now you have all the knowledge needed to unlock .rar archives seamlessly.
The next time you receive an important RAR attachment, recall this guide and extract its contents in just a few clicks. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help a fellow data lover open stubborn files!
