Opening a RAR file on a Mac without using WinRAR is definitely possible, and I’m here to guide you through the process using The Unarchiver, a popular and reliable app available for free on the Mac App Store.
1. Launch the Mac App Store: To download The Unarchiver, open the App Store on your Mac. You can find it in your Applications folder or by using Spotlight search.
2. Search for The Unarchiver: Once you’re in the App Store, use the search bar at the top right corner and type “The Unarchiver”. Hit Enter or click on the magnifying glass icon to search.
3. Download and Install The Unarchiver: Look for The Unarchiver in the search results and click on the “Get” or “Download” button to start the installation process. You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password to authorize the download.
4. Open The Unarchiver: After the installation is complete, you can find The Unarchiver in your Applications folder. Double-click on the app icon to launch it.
5. Set The Unarchiver as the Default Archive Utility: By default, macOS has its own built-in Archive Utility that opens compressed files. To ensure that The Unarchiver opens RAR files instead of the default utility, go to your Applications folder and locate The Unarchiver. Right-click on the app icon and select “Get Info” from the context menu.
6. Change the Default App: In the Info window that appears, find the section labeled “Open with”. Click on the dropdown menu next to “Open with” and select The Unarchiver from the list of available apps. Then, click on the “Change All” button just below the dropdown menu.
7. Confirm the Change: A confirmation dialog box will appear, asking if you want to change all similar documents to open with The Unarchiver. Click on the “Continue” button to confirm and make The Unarchiver your default app for opening RAR files.
8. Extracting RAR Files: Now that The Unarchiver is set as the default app, you can simply double-click on any RAR file, and it will automatically open with The Unarchiver. The app will extract the contents of the RAR file to a folder in the same location as the original file.
In addition to being able to open encrypted RAR files and multi-volume archives, The Unarchiver handles foreign characters in file names with ease, ensuring you won’t encounter any errors or issues when dealing with such files.
The Unarchiver provides a user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and extract files from RAR archives. It supports a wide range of archive formats, including ZIP, 7z, TAR, GZIP, and more.
I personally have used The Unarchiver for years, and it has consistently proven to be a reliable and efficient tool for opening various archive formats, including RAR files. Its ability to handle encrypted and multi-volume archives has been particularly useful in my work.
So, if you’re looking for a solution to open RAR files on your Mac without WinRAR, The Unarchiver is a fantastic choice. Give it a try and enjoy hassle-free extraction of your RAR archives.