Nowadays, mobile phones and tablets are used more often than PCs and laptops, even for working purposes. However, file handling and related functions such as compressing and unzipping files are not easier on those devices than that on PCs. Yet, with certain tactics, you can learn how to unzip compressed files that you download from the internet or any other external device to your phone or tablet.
The ZIP files are archived files and are compressed to reduce their size, saving more space on your device. There are many ways that you can access these ZIP files just like the others and perform the normal functions on them. This article will show you how to unzip a file on your phone or tablet.
How to Unzip a Dile on Your Phone or Tablet
When you work with your PC, the File Explorer app is capable of compressing and decompressing files whenever you want. But unfortunately, this option is not available in all the mobile File Explorer apps, or the built-in ones.
Therefore, you may need to have another file explorer app to do this for you. If you open the Google Play Store, you will come across several such applications.
1. By Google app or File app
This can be named as the easiest file handling tool for Android which also includes the unzipping tool. Basically, this is a file-managing app with all the rest of the fundamental functions that you can perform on files and folders.
- First, open the Files app and browse it to the location where your ZIP file is stored. If this is a downloaded file, you can usually find it in the “Downloads” folder.
- Then, tap on the ZIP file you need to extract.
- There shall be an option list displayed for you. Select the option “Extract” among it.
- Next, finish the function by tapping the “Done” button.
- The extracted content shall be found in the same location as the original file, ready for access.
2. By using RAR
This is similar to your familiar WinRAR tool on the PC. Same as before, you can open the tool, navigate to the file location, and give the Extract command to decompress the file.
- First, open the app and tick the checkbox located next to the file you intend to extract.
- Now tap the arrow button pointing up which you can find at the top of the screen.
- Give the Extraction option you wish to proceed with.
- Next, you can place the extracted file in any location you like. You can do this by giving the location from the “Browse” button.
- Finally, tap on “OK” to complete the extraction process.
3. By ZArchiver app
ZArchiver is also one of the most powerful file-managing apps you can have on your phone or tablet. It is almost similar to RAR and you can even extract multiple files through it. It is also capable of unzipping all the available compressed file types.
- So first, open the app and tick the checkbox located next to the file you intend to extract.
- Give the Extraction option you wish to proceed with.
- Next, you can place the extracted file in any location you like. You can do this by giving the location from the “Browse” button.
- Finally, tap on “OK” to complete the extraction process.
Summary
Now it should be clear that to extract a compressed file on your phone or tablet, you need a third-party file managing app. With leading apps like Google App, RAR, and ZArchiver, you will find this function very easy. It will make your work with the device easier and will save you the trouble of running to a PC if you have a ZIP file. So make sure that you use these tools to get the maximum benefit of your device at work.