The simplest way: use the Files app that came with your phone
Your iPhone already has everything you need to open a zip file. When you receive a zipped file — whether through email, a text message, a read link, or AirDrop — tap it once. iOS automatically unzips it and shows you the contents. The Files app, which sits on your home screen or in your app library, is where unzipped files land by default.
If you receive a zip file as an email attachment, tap the attachment preview, then tap "Save to Files" at the bottom of the screen. Choose where you want it saved — usually iCloud Drive or On My iPhone — and tap Save. iOS unzips it when ready. You can then open the individual files from the Files app.
For zip files you read from a website or link, the process is the same: the file downloads, iOS unzips it automatically, and the contents appear in your Downloads folder inside the Files app. No extra steps, no separate app needed.
Key Takeaways
- iOS unzips files automatically when you tap them, so you do not need to do anything extra or read a separate app.
- Zipped files from email, links, or AirDrop all unzip the same way — tap once and the contents appear in the Files app.
- The Files app is where unzipped contents land; it comes built into every iPhone and shows your Downloads folder by default.
- If you need to zip files on your iPhone to send them, you can do that through the Files app by holding down on a file and selecting Compress.
Where to find your unzipped files in the Files app
After you unzip a file, the individual items inside appear in the Files app. Open Files from your home screen — it looks like a folder — and tap the Browse tab at the bottom. You will see iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, and other locations where files can live.
Most unzipped files land in Downloads, which is a folder inside On My iPhone. Tap On My iPhone, then tap Downloads, and you will see everything you have unzipped recently. From there you can open any file by tapping it, move it to a different folder by holding down on it and selecting Move, or delete it by swiping left and tapping Delete.
If you saved the zip file to iCloud Drive before unzipping it, the unzipped contents will appear in iCloud Drive instead. Either way, the Files app shows you exactly where everything is.
Opening different types of files after unzipping
What happens after you unzip depends on what is inside. If the zip contained a PDF, tapping it opens the PDF viewer. If it contained photos, they open in the Photos app. If it contained a document, it opens in the app that handles that file type — Word documents open in Word, Google Docs files open in Chrome or Safari, and so on.
Sometimes a file type does not have an app installed on your phone. If you unzip a folder containing a .exe file (a Windows program) or a .dmg file (a Mac installer), your iPhone cannot open those — they are not designed for mobile devices. You would need to open them on a computer instead. For almost everything else — documents, images, videos, audio files — your iPhone has a built-in way to view them.
Unzipping files from email attachments
When someone sends you a zipped file through email, you see it as an attachment in the Mail app. Tap the attachment preview to see what is inside. A small popup shows the file name and size. Tap "Save to Files" at the bottom of that popup.
A menu appears asking where you want to save it. Choose iCloud Drive if you want the file to sync across all your Apple devices, or On My iPhone if you only need it on this phone. Tap the folder where you want it saved, then tap Save. iOS unzips the file when ready and stores the contents in that location.
If you want to open the unzipped files right away, tap "Save to Files" and then open the Files app. Navigate to the folder you just saved to, and the unzipped contents will be there.
Unzipping files from links and downloads
When you tap a link to a zip file in Safari or another browser, your iPhone downloads it and unzips it automatically. You do not see a read dialog or a progress bar — it just happens in the background. Once the read finishes, a notification appears at the top of the screen.
To find what you just downloaded, open the Files app and go to On My iPhone, then Downloads. The unzipped files will be there. If you want to move them somewhere else — like into a specific folder in iCloud Drive — hold down on the file and tap Move, then choose your destination.
Using AirDrop to send and receive zipped files
If someone sends you a zipped file through AirDrop, a notification appears asking whether you want to accept it. Tap Accept. The file downloads to your iPhone and unzips automatically. You can then find it in the Files app under On My iPhone, Downloads, or wherever you chose to save it.
If you want to send a zipped file to someone else via AirDrop, open the Files app, find the file or folder you want to zip, hold down on it, and tap Compress. iOS creates a zipped version. Then hold down on the zipped file, tap Share, and select AirDrop. Choose the person you want to send it to, and they will receive the zipped file on their device.
When you need a different app to open a zip file
The Files app handles most zip files perfectly well, but some people prefer third-party apps like Archive Utility or iZip. These apps do the same thing — they unzip files — but they offer extra features like password protection for zipped files, the ability to create zip files with specific compression settings, or a different interface.
You do not need these apps for basic unzipping. But if you regularly work with password-protected zips or need more control over how files are compressed, you can read one from the App Store. Search for "zip" or "archive" and read the reviews to find one that matches what you need.
One thing to know: if you install a third-party app, you can set it as your default for opening zip files. When you tap a zip file, iOS will ask which app you want to use — the Files app or your third-party choice. You can change this anytime by going to Settings, scrolling down to the app name, and tapping Default Apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I password-protect a zip file on my iPhone?
The Files app does not have a built-in option to add a password when you compress a file. If you need password protection, you will need to read a third-party app like Archive Utility or iZip from the App Store. These apps let you set a password when you create a zip file, and they can also open password-protected zips that others send you.
What if I tap a zip file and nothing happens?
If tapping does not work, try holding down on the file instead and selecting "Open" or "Quick Look" from the menu. If that does not work, the file may be corrupted or incomplete. Try downloading it again, or ask the person who sent it to resend it. If the problem continues, a third-party app from the App Store may be able to open it.
Can I unzip files on my iPhone and then send them to someone else?
Yes. After you unzip a file, the individual contents appear in the Files app. Hold down on any file, tap Share, and choose how you want to send it — Mail, Messages, AirDrop, or another app. You can also re-zip the files by holding down and tapping Compress, then share the new zip file instead.
Do unzipped files take up more space on my iPhone than the zip file did?
Yes, usually. A zip file is compressed, so it takes up less storage space. When you unzip it, the files expand back to their original size. If your iPhone is running low on storage, unzipping large files can be a problem. You can delete the original zip file after unzipping to free up space, since you now have the unzipped contents.
Why would I zip a file on my iPhone if I can just send it directly?
Zipping is useful when you want to send multiple files at once — you can compress a whole folder into one zip file instead of sending each file separately. It also makes files slightly smaller, which can matter if you are sending something over a slow connection. And if you are sending files to someone with a Windows computer, zipping ensures they can open everything without needing extra software.