Want to know how to zip files on an Android device without a Mac or PC? You can zip and unzip files on Android phones using third-party apps. You can compress files and password-protect them. When you Zip files, it reduces the total size of the file.
Compressing files is a great way to save storage space and data usage when sending over a mobile network connection. Once you zip a file, the size reduces. This lets you send it via your mobile network. On an Android device, you can create a zip file with or without a third-party app.
How to zip files on Android
ES File Explorer, ZArchiver, and RAR are some apps that you can use to zip files on your device. In this guide, we will use the ES File Explorer to zip files. We will also use RAR. Additionally, ZArchiver will be used on Android devices.
How to create zip files with ES File Explorer
Before you can use Es File Explorer to zip files on Android, you need to download the app. Get it from another store app.
Step 1: Open the ES File Explorer app
Open the ES File Explorer app on your Android device. Navigate to the folder or files you want to compress.
Step 2: Tap and hold a folder
Tap and hold a folder to compress the whole folder. Or you can select multiple files. Tap and hold one of the files or folders to allow multiple selections, then select the other files.
Step 3: Select Compress
First, select all the files. Then, tap on “More” at the bottom right corner of your screen. Finally, select “Compress.”
Step 4: Tap “OK” to compress the file
Type a name you want for your ZIP file. Set a password for the file if you want. Then tap “OK” to compress the file.
When the compression is completed, you’ll see the ZIP file listed in the folder of the original file.
How to compress files with the RAR app
Step 1: Open the RAR app
Open the RAR app on your Android phone, then find the files you want to compress. Select the files you want to include in the ZIP and tap the Archive button.
Step 2: Select the zip
Select zip. You can change the filename, and the path, and even set up a password. Click on “Browse” to select the destination path.
Step 3: Tap OK
First, obtain the name and the path to where the zip will be located. Then, tap “OK” to zip the file.
Once you finish compressing the files, the zip format will be available. It will be located where the original file is, or at the path which you choose.
How to zip files with ZArchiver
Step 1: Open the ZArchiver app
Open the ZArchiver app on your Android phone and locate the files you want to compress.
Step 2: Select the file
Tap and hold a folder to compress the whole folder. Alternatively, tap the three-dot at the right top corner of your screen. Then, tap on “Multi-select” to choose multiple files.
First, select all the files you want. Then click on the checkmate in the right bottom corner of your screen.
Step 3: Select Compress
Tab the Square box icon at the right top corner of your screen, and then select “Compress.”
Step 4: Input a name and select zip
Type a name you want for your ZIP file. Choose “zip” as your Archives format. Choose a password if you want. Then tap “OK” to compress the file. You can choose the destination folder by clicking on the three-dot in the archive name line.
You can choose to remove the source files if you want after compression. The compressed files will be in the original file’s location. Alternatively, they will be in the path you choose when zipping the files.
How to unzip files on Android
To open zip files on Android, you need third-party apps. There are plenty of apps available to help with unzipping files. Without the right app. You need a third-party app like RAR, ZArchiver, or ES File Explorer to unzip files on Android.
How to open zip files on Android with the Files app
Step 1: Open the Files app
Open the Files app on your device and locate the zip file that you want to open.
Step 2: Select the file
Once you’ve seen the file that you want to extract on the Files app, tap on it.
Step 3: Click on Extract
On the pop-up you’ll see everything inside the zip file, click on the Extract button to unzip the file.
Once the file is extracted, you will have the option to delete the zip file. The extracted files will in the same directory as the original zip.
How to unzip files with ES File Explorer
Step 1: Open the ES File Explorer app
Open the ES File Explorer app on your Android phone, and find the compressed file you want to extract.
Step 2: Select and tap on “Extract to”
Tap and hold the file you want to extract. At the right bottom corner of your screen click “more,” and then “Extract to” to extract your file.
Step 3: Select ES Zip Viewer
To select the file you want to extract, tap on the file. Then select “ES Zip Viewer.” Click on “Always” to continue using ES File Explorer Zip Viewer.
Step 4: Select the file to extract
Tap and hold to select the file or folder you want to extract. To extract the selected files, tap “Extract” at the left bottom corner of your screen.
Step 5: Click “OK” to extract the file.
Once you tap on Extract a dialogue box will appear saying “Extract selected files too.” Select the path and click “OK” to extract the file.
Select the “update” option. It will unzip your file. A folder named the same as the zip file will be created in the same location. If you choose the “Current path” option, it will extract the files to the same folder. This folder is the same as the original zip file. It won’t create a folder with the same name as the zip file.
For the “Choose path” option, you will have to select where the zip file will be extracted to. For the “Choose path” option, a field will be displayed, showing a path /sdcard/. Choose the destination for the file. Touch the folders to navigate to the path where you want to extract the files.
The “Choose path” choice won’t create a folder for you when you extract. The only choice that creates a folder for you is the first choice — the “update” option. A pop-up will show showing that the extraction was successful and you’re returned to the ES file Explorer compression Manager.
How to unzip files with RAR
If you have downloaded the RAR app from the Google Play Store, you can use it to open RAR files. This works on an Android device.
Step 1: Open the RAR app
Open the RAR app on your Android phone and go to the location where the zipped file is located.
Step 2: Select the zip file
Select the zip file you want to uncompress and tap on the extract button. It will show a choice for you to choose where you want your files to extract.
Step 3: Click on OK
You can use the default option or you can select another extraction path for the zip file. Once you’ve selected the preference, click on “OK.”
How to open zip files Android with ZArchiver
Step 1: Open the ZArchiver app
Open the ZArchiver app on your Android phone, and go to the files you want to extract.
Step 2: Select the file
Tap the file you want to extract, and click on “Extract to ./<Achieve name>/” to extract your file.
If you want to select the files you want to extract, tap on the file and click on “View.” Tap the three dots at the right top corner of your screen. Then, tap on “Multi-select” to choose your files.
Step 3: Click Extract
Tab the Square box icon at the right top corner of your screen, and then click “Extract.” The extracted files will be in the folder where the original file is located.
After you finish the extraction, open your phone’s file manager. Navigate to the location where you extracted the file. The open zip file will be the same name as the zip file.
