How to Zip a File on Mac

Charlotte Daniels

Mac, Tutorials

In this tutorial, we will learn how to zip a file on Mac using the built-in Archive Utility. Zipping files can be useful when you want to compress multiple files into a single file for easy sharing or storage. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Select the Files

First, you need to select the files that you want to zip. To do this:

  • Option 1: Select multiple files by holding down the Command key and clicking on each file.
  • Option 2: Select a folder by right-clicking on it and choosing “Compress” from the context menu.

Step 2: Right-click and Compress

Once you have selected the files or folder, simply right-click on one of them and choose “Compress” from the context menu. This will create a new zip file with the same name as the original file/folder.

Step 3: Wait for Compression

The Archive Utility will start compressing the selected files/folder into a zip file. The time taken for compression depends on the size of the files/folder and your Mac’s performance.

Step 4: Find the Zip File

Once the compression is complete, you can find the newly created zip file in the same location as your original files/folder. The zip file will have a .zip extension.

Step 5: Rename (Optional)

If you want to rename the zip file, simply right-click on it, choose “Rename,” and enter a new name.

Tips:

  • Include Subfolders: When you compress a folder, the Archive Utility will include all subfolders and their contents in the zip file.
  • Exclude Mac Metadata: By default, the Archive Utility includes additional metadata specific to Mac OS in the zip file. If you want to exclude this metadata for compatibility with other operating systems, you can use a third-party compression tool like The Unarchiver.

Congratulations! You have successfully zipped a file on your Mac. Now you can easily share or store your compressed files.

I hope this tutorial was helpful to you. Feel free to explore more features of the Archive Utility and experiment with different compression options.

Android - iPhone - Mac

 © 2023 UI-Transitions

Privacy Policy