Which version are you using? This guide describes version 1.2, the current Mac App Store version. Check yours in Extract Any File → About Extract Any File. Version 1.2 needs macOS 12 or later; on older macOS versions the Mac App Store offers 1.0, which has the older interface.
Unpack. And carry on.
Extract Any File is a free Mac archive extractor. Common formats include ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR and GZIP. Support depends on the archive format, compression method and encryption used. No account or in-app purchase is needed.
Extract an archive or a batch
- Drop one or more archives onto Drop your archives here, or choose Choose archives… You can also choose File → Open Archives… (⌘O).
- Select the archive or batch you want to open.
- Choose a destination folder and click Extract Here.
- Wait for extraction to finish, then choose Show extracted files ↗ to open the output in Finder.
Your originals stay put
Every archive gets a new output folder. Existing files are preserved; if a folder name is already used, the app creates a numbered folder. Original archives are not deleted.
Passwords and cancellation
If an archive needs a password, the app asks for it. Get the password from the person who created the archive. The password is used for that extraction and isn’t saved. Choose Cancel to stop extraction; partial files may remain in the destination. Inspect those files before deciding what to remove.
Recommendations and ratings
Below the extraction controls, Extract Any File may recommend a separate paid Pocket Bits app. Extract stays free whether or not you look. Close the recommendation to hide it; your choice is remembered. To bring it back, choose Extract Any File → Show Recommendation. Extract Any File → More Pocket Bits Tools lists other apps.
After repeated successful use, the app may show Apple’s standard rating request. Apple decides whether it appears, and rating is never required.
Compatibility
Version 1.2 requires macOS 12 or later and runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Extraction happens locally on your Mac. Read the Extract Any File privacy information.