TecnoOrange 
Every time someone sends me a RAR file and can’t open it, I wonder how it’s possible that in 2026 people still don’t know what a compressed file is. RAR files are everywhere: downloads, emails, work transfers. In this article I’ll explain exactly what they are, what they’re for, and most practically, how to open them on your Android or iPhone.
Table of contents
Table of contents
- What is a RAR file
- Best apps to open RAR on Android
- Apps to open RAR on iPhone
- Comparison table of RAR opening apps
- How to open a RAR file step by step
- Difference between RAR, ZIP, and 7z
- How to create RAR files on your phone
- Tips for managing compressed files on your phone
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What is a RAR file
A RAR file is a data compression format created by Eugene Roshal (hence the name: Roshal Archive). Its main function is to group multiple files into one and compress them so they take up less space.
For example, if you have 50 photos totaling 200 MB, compressing them into a RAR file can bring them down to about 150 MB or less, depending on the content type. Plus, as a single file, it’s much easier to send by email or upload to the cloud.
RAR format is similar to ZIP but generally offers better compression. Where ZIP can compress 20-30%, RAR can achieve 30-40% on many file types. The difference isn’t huge, but on large files it matters.
RAR files can be split into multiple parts (part1.rar, part2.rar, etc.) when the original file is very large. To open them, you need all parts in the same folder.
Pro-tip: If you receive a password-protected RAR file and you haven’t been given the password, there’s no legitimate way to open it. Ask the sender for the password. “RAR password remover” methods you see online are technically complex and often illegitimate.
Best apps to open RAR on Android
On Android you have several excellent options for opening RAR files:
RAR (by RARLAB)
This is the official app from the RAR format creator. It’s free (with non-intrusive ads) and can open RAR, ZIP, 7Z, TAR, GZ, and many other formats.
What I like about RAR is that it can also create RAR files, not just open them. If you need to send multiple compressed files, you can do it directly from this app. The interface isn’t pretty, but it works perfectly.
ZArchiver
ZArchiver is probably the best free app for managing compressed files on Android. It supports RAR, ZIP, 7z, tar, gz, xz, bzip2, and practically any format that exists.
ZArchiver’s advantage is that it has no ads and the interface is cleaner than the official RAR app. It also lets you view the contents of an archive without extracting it, which is very useful.
Files by Google
Google’s Files app can open RAR files without installing anything extra. If you already have Files by Google (it comes pre-installed on many Android phones), you don’t need another app for basic RAR files.
Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer is a complete file manager that includes RAR and other compressed format support. It’s paid (~$2), but the app quality justifies it if you’re looking for a powerful file manager.
Apps to open RAR on iPhone
On iPhone the situation is different because iOS has native compression and decompression, but with limitations:
iOS Files (native)
Since iOS 13, the iOS Files app can decompress ZIP files natively. For RAR, you need third-party apps since iOS doesn’t support RAR natively.
iZip
iZip is free and supports RAR, ZIP, and other formats. The interface is simple and lets you open files directly from the iOS Files app or from email.
Documents by Readdle
Documents is an excellent app that works as a file manager and can open RAR, ZIP, 7z, and many other formats. It’s free and very complete.
WinZip
WinZip has an iOS version with RAR support. It’s free with ads or paid for advanced features.
Comparison table of RAR opening apps
| App | Platform | Price | Creates RAR | Other formats | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAR (RARLAB) | Android | Free | Yes | ZIP, 7Z, TAR, GZ | Yes (light) |
| ZArchiver | Android | Free | Yes | 7Z, ZIP, TAR, +30 | No |
| Files by Google | Android | Free | No | ZIP basically | No |
| Solid Explorer | Android | ~$2 | Yes | Various | No |
| iZip | iOS | Free | Yes | ZIP, 7Z | Yes |
| Documents | iOS | Free | Yes | ZIP, 7Z, +20 | No |
| WinZip | iOS | Free | Yes | ZIP, 7Z | Yes |
How to open a RAR file step by step
On Android (with ZArchiver):
- Download ZArchiver from Google Play.
- Find the RAR file on your phone (downloads, email, cloud).
- Tap the RAR file.
- ZArchiver will show the file contents.
- Tap “Extract here” to decompress in the same folder, or “Extract to…” to choose a destination.
- Wait for extraction to complete.
On iPhone (with Documents):
- Download Documents by Readdle from the App Store.
- Open the RAR file from email or the Files app.
- Select “Open with” > Documents.
- Documents will show the file contents.
- Tap the file you want to extract or select all.
- Choose the destination location.
If the RAR has a password:
- When trying to open the file, the app will ask for the password.
- Enter the exact password (case-sensitive).
- If the password is correct, the contents will be extracted.
Difference between RAR, ZIP, and 7z
| Format | Compression | Speed | Password | Cross-platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAR | High | Medium | Yes | Windows native, others with apps |
| ZIP | Medium | Fast | Yes | Universal (native everywhere) |
| 7z | Very high | Slow | Yes | Needs apps |
ZIP is the universal format that opens on any system without installing anything. RAR compresses better but needs specific software. 7z compresses even better but is slower. For general use, ZIP is the best option. For sharing large files, RAR or 7z are superior.
Tip: If you’re going to send a file to someone who isn’t tech-savvy, use ZIP instead of RAR. ZIP opens without installing anything on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone. RAR can confuse people who don’t know what it is.
How to create RAR files on your phone
You can not only open RAR files on your phone but also create them. This is very useful when you need to send multiple files by email or upload them to the cloud and want to reduce the total size.
On Android with ZArchiver
- Open ZArchiver and navigate to the files you want to compress.
- Long-press the first file, then select the others.
- Tap the three dots or options menu.
- Select “Compress”.
- Choose the format (RAR or ZIP), compression level, and whether you want a password.
- Tap “OK” and wait for it to finish.
On iPhone with Documents
- Open Documents by Readdle.
- Select the files you want to compress.
- Tap “More” > “Compress”.
- Choose the format and file name.
- The compressed file will appear in the same folder.
Pro-tip: If you’re uploading the file to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox), use ZIP instead of RAR. Some cloud services don’t preview RAR files but do preview ZIP.
Tips for managing compressed files on your phone
Over time, compressed files can accumulate and take up space. Here are some tips for managing them efficiently:
Organize by folders: Create a dedicated folder for received compressed files and another for ones you create. That way you’ll always know where to look.
Extract and delete: When you receive a RAR, extract the content and delete the compressed file. There’s no point keeping both if the RAR has already served its purpose.
Beware of RARs from unknown sources: Never open a RAR received from a stranger without first scanning it with your antivirus. RARs can contain disguised executables that install malware.
Use appropriate compression: For photos and videos that are already compressed (JPEG, MP4), using a RAR barely reduces the size. Learn when compression is worth it and when it isn’t.
| File type | Expected compression | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG photos | 1-5% | Not really |
| PNG/BMP photos | 30-60% | Yes |
| Word/PDF documents | 20-40% | Yes |
| MP4 videos | 1-3% | Not really |
| MP3 music | 1-5% | Not really |
| Text files | 50-80% | Highly recommended |
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a RAR without installing anything?
On Android, if you have Files by Google, you can open basic RAR files without installing anything. On iPhone, you need a third-party app because iOS doesn’t support RAR natively. On Windows, you can open RAR with File Explorer since Windows 11.
Can RAR files contain viruses?
Yes, like any file. A RAR file can contain malicious executable files. Always scan with your antivirus before extracting RAR files from unknown sources.
What if I’m missing a part of a split RAR?
You need all parts (part1.rar, part2.rar, etc.) in the same folder to extract the contents. If any part is missing, extraction will fail and there’s no way to recover the data without the missing part.
Can I create RAR files from my phone?
Yes, apps like RAR (RARLAB), ZArchiver, and Documents let you create RAR files from your phone. You can select multiple files and compress them into a single RAR.
Conclusion
RAR files are very common and knowing how to open them on your phone is a basic skill. On Android, ZArchiver is the best free option with no ads. On iPhone, Documents by Readdle is the most complete. You don’t need to overcomplicate things: download an app, find the RAR file, and extract it. That simple. And remember: if someone sends you a password-protected RAR, ask for the password before trying to open it.