1 Using the Built-In Files App (No Download Needed)
Works for regular ZIP files on iOS 13 and later.
Apple's Files app can open ZIP files natively. If you have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or newer (which is almost everyone), you already have everything you need.
Find the ZIP file
Open the Files app (it looks like a blue folder). Navigate to where the ZIP was saved — usually in "On My iPhone" → "Downloads", or in your iCloud Drive.
Tap the ZIP file
Simply tap on it once. iOS will automatically extract the contents and create a new folder with the same name as the ZIP file.
Open the new folder
Tap the newly created folder to see your extracted files. That's it!
2 For RAR, 7z, and Other Formats
The Files app only handles ZIP. For other archive types, you need an app.
The best free option is iZip or Documents by Readdle:
Download iZip (or Documents by Readdle) from the App Store
Both are free and handle ZIP, RAR, 7z, and TAR files.
Open the archive file in the app
You can either open the app and browse to the file, or find the file in the Files app, tap the share button, and choose "Open in iZip."
Extract and enter password if needed
Tap "Extract All" and enter the password if prompted. Files will be saved within the app where you can then share them or save to Files.
3 Quick Tips
Common questions about unzipping on iOS.
ZIP files from email: If someone emailed you a ZIP, tap the attachment in the email. It should open a preview. Tap the share button (square with arrow) → "Save to Files" → then open from the Files app.
ZIP from Safari download: When you download a ZIP from a website, Safari saves it to Files automatically. Open the Files app → Downloads folder → tap the ZIP.
Very large ZIP files may take a while to extract on your phone. Make sure you have enough free storage space (check Settings → General → iPhone Storage).