Open a ZIP on iPhone — without installing an app.

Tap a ZIP, see every file inside, save just the ones you want. Works in Safari on iPhone 8 and newer — no App Store install, no permissions, no Files-app workarounds.

Free · No app install · No upload · No signup · Works offline once loaded
🔒

Your ZIP stays on this iPhone.

Verify it yourself: turn on Airplane Mode and open a ZIP — it still works.

or share a ZIP from Mail / Files into Safari

FileSize

How to open a ZIP on iPhone

Three taps. No App Store. No "open with" dance.

1

Open this page in Safari

You're already here. Or — from Mail or Files — tap a ZIP, then Share → Open in Safari.

2

Preview the contents

Every file inside is listed instantly. Your ZIP isn't uploaded — it's read entirely on your iPhone.

3

Save just what you want

Tap Save on a single file, or Save all. Images go to Photos. PDFs, docs, and videos go to Files.

Why this beats the iPhone Files app

Apple's Files app unzips, but it makes you commit to extracting everything before you know what's inside.

iPhone Files appUnzip Online (this page)
Extracts every file immediately Lists files first — save just what you want
No preview before extraction See file names and sizes before saving
Drops 600 files into your Files app Only the files you tap are saved
Silent failures on weird archives Clear error messages
Multi-step share-sheet dance One URL, one tap

Why not just install iZip or Documents by Readdle?

Both are fine apps. They're also overkill if you just need to open one ZIP.

iZip / iZip Pro

  • ~30 MB App Store install
  • Asks for Photos / Files permissions
  • In-app ads on the free tier
  • Password ZIP support (advantage)

Documents by Readdle

  • ~120 MB App Store install
  • Wants iCloud + Google Drive access
  • Built for power users — overkill for unzipping
  • Great if you also need a file manager

This page No install

  • 0 MB install — just a URL
  • No permissions to grant
  • No ads, no signup, no upgrade nag
  • Add to Home Screen for one-tap access

📲 Add to Home Screen — it'll work offline next time

iOS lets you save this page like a real app. No App Store involved.

  1. Tap the Share button at the bottom of Safari (the square with the arrow).
  2. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add. An Unzip icon appears on your home screen. Tap it any time — even with no internet.

When this tool can't help on iPhone

Password-protected ZIPs

Encryption isn't supported yet. The iPhone Files app handles standard PKZIP passwords, or use iZip Pro for AES-encrypted archives.

Very large ZIPs (>1.5 GB)

Safari on iPhone can run out of memory on huge archives — the tab may close. For 2 GB+ archives, use a desktop browser.

RAR or 7z files

This page reads ZIP only. For RAR or 7z on iPhone, the Files app handles RAR natively (iOS 14+), or use iZip Pro.

iPhone-specific FAQ

Can I unzip a file on iPhone without installing an app?

Yes. Open Safari, go to essexsoftware.com/unzip-online/iphone/, and tap Choose .zip File. The archive is read entirely on your iPhone — no App Store install, no upload, no permissions to grant.

Where do the saved files go on my iPhone?

Images (JPG, PNG, HEIC) typically save to Photos. Everything else (PDF, Office docs, videos, ZIPs) saves to your Files app under Downloads on iCloud Drive or "On My iPhone", depending on your Safari settings (Settings → Safari → Downloads).

Does this work on iPad?

Yes. The same page works in Safari on iPad. The bigger screen makes the file list easier to scan, and Safari's downloads behavior is identical.

Why doesn't the iPhone Files app let me preview a ZIP before extracting?

The Files app extracts the entire archive immediately — there is no preview step. If you only want one file out of a 600-file ZIP, you have to extract all 600 and then delete the ones you don't want. This tool lets you see the file list first and save only the files you actually need.

Can I open password-protected ZIPs on iPhone with this?

Not yet — encrypted ZIPs aren't supported in the current version. For those, the iPhone Files app handles standard PKZIP encryption, or use a paid app like iZip Pro for AES.

Works on every device you use

iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, or any modern browser — same tool, same code, same privacy.

iOS
Android
macOS
Windows
Web