Over the years the iPhone and iPad have gotten better with handling different kinds of file types. Unfortunately, it still isn’t great at handling ZIP files — at least by itself. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t easy ways to open ZIP files on iPhone and iPad. Here are a few of the ways I’d recommend handling ZIP files on the go:
There are several apps available in the App Store that allow you to open ZIP files on iPhone and iPad. Some of them are more complicated to use than others. If you only want an app that lets you open, manage, and work with ZIP files, nothing else, I highly recommend Zip-it, which is available for both iPhone and iPad:
- Zip-it for iOS – $0.99 – Download
Not only does Zip-it allow you to unzip and view contents of ZIP files, it also lets you ZIP files and send them on their way to someone else. When I don’t need to necessarily save ZIP files (even though Zip-it can do this) and I just need an easy way to view or edit and re-send, I almost always turn to Zip-it.
To use Zip-it, you can either launch Zip-it and link Dropbox or other services to access zipped files, or you can use the Share sheet from virtually anywhere to open a zipped file with Zip-it. For example, I received a ZIP file via Airmail on my iPhone. Here’s how I used Zip-it to view the contents:
- Tap on the ZIP file to get a preview (or lack of one in this case).
- Tap on the Share button.
- Choose the Copy file to Zip-it option. (If you don’t see this, scroll all the way over in the first row of icons and tap More and turn ON the option for the Zip-it extension. You should only have to do this the first time you use it.)
- The contents of your ZIP file will be added to Zip-it locally. You can send them on, view them, and even add them to another ZIP file.
I use Zip-it most often for ZIP files because it’s simple and easy to use. However, if you want an app with more than one purpose, here are a few more great apps that do a lot more than just open ZIP files:
- PDF Expert for iOS – $9.99 – Download – PDF management app but can save, open, and send ZIP files
- Goodreader for iOS – $4.99 – Download – PDFs and tons more, can also copy, move, save rename, zip, and unzip files
- Transmit for iOS – $7.99 – Download – One of the best, fully functional FTP apps available and can also zip, unzip, and manage files
- Documents 5 for iOS – Free – Download – Fully functional document management hub, made by the same makers of PDF Expert
Give one of these apps a try and then let me know in the comments which one you chose and why. And if you run into any problems or have any questions, be sure to let me know that too!
