iOS · iPhone & iPad
Extract a ZIP File on iPhone
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
In Files, find and tap the ZIP archive. iPhone creates a folder containing the extracted files; open that folder to view them.
Save the archive to Files
From Mail, Safari, or another app, use Share > Save to Files when the ZIP is not already visible there. Choose a location such as On My iPhone or iCloud Drive that has enough free space for both the archive and extracted contents.
Locate the correct ZIP
Open Files, browse the chosen location, and check the filename and extension before opening it. Use the search field if necessary; avoid extracting an unexpected archive received from an unknown sender.
Extract the archive
Tap the ZIP file once. Files creates a folder in the same location containing the extracted items. Keep Files open until large cloud-hosted archives have downloaded and extraction is complete.
Review the extracted folder
Open the new folder and verify the expected documents, images, or subfolders are present before deleting the original ZIP. A ZIP can contain file types that require another compatible app to open.
Rename or move the result
Touch and hold the extracted folder to rename, move, compress, or share it. Delete the original archive only after confirming the extracted files open and are backed up where needed.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If tapping the ZIP creates no folder, confirm the archive is fully downloaded and that the destination has enough free space. A password-protected, incomplete, or damaged archive may require the sender to provide the password or a new copy; do not use password-cracking tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.