7z.7z

How to Extract Files from a 7z Archive on macOS

7z archives offer some of the best compression ratios available, making them popular for distributing large files. macOS doesn't support 7z natively, so you'll need a third-party tool to open them.

The default way to open 7z files on macOS

Tool: 7zz via Homebrew (third-party)

$ 7zz x archive.7z

Steps

  1. Install 7-Zip via Homebrew: brew install 7zip
  2. Open Terminal and navigate to the folder containing the .7z file.
  3. Run: 7zz x archive.7z
  4. Alternatively, install Keka and double-click the .7z file.
Note: macOS has no built-in 7z support. The 7zz command can list contents with: 7zz l archive.7z, and extract specific files with: 7zz e archive.7z file.txt

Extract individual files from a 7z archive

The default macOS tools extract everything — there's no way to pick individual files. MacPacker lets you browse 7z archive contents, preview files, and extract only what you need — without unpacking the entire archive.

A better way: open 7z files with MacPacker

MacPacker is a free, open-source macOS archive manager that supports 7z and 30+ other formats. Unlike the default tools, MacPacker lets you:

  • Browse archive contents like a folder
  • Preview files with Quick Look without extracting
  • Extract individual files via drag and drop
  • Navigate nested archives (archives within archives)
  • Enjoy a native SwiftUI interface that feels right at home on macOS

Get MacPacker

v0.15.1 · macOS 14+
$ brew install --cask macpacker
.dmg.zipApp StoreReleases

App Store updates may lag a few days behind direct downloads due to Apple review.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open a 7z file on Mac?

macOS cannot open .7z files natively. Use MacPacker (free, open-source) to open and browse 7z archives. Alternatively, install 7-Zip via Homebrew: brew install 7zip, then run: 7zz x archive.7z

What is the best 7z extractor for Mac?

MacPacker is a free, native macOS app that opens 7z files with a visual file browser. It lets you preview contents, navigate nested archives, and extract individual files — features that command-line tools don't offer.

Can I extract specific files from a 7z archive on Mac?

Yes. MacPacker lets you browse the 7z archive and drag out specific files. With the command line, use: 7zz e archive.7z path/to/file

Related formats

ZIP.zip

ZIP is the most widely used archive format on macOS. It supports lossless compression and is natively handled by Finder and Archive Utility.

RAR.rar

RAR is a proprietary archive format known for high compression ratios and multi-part archives. macOS has no built-in RAR support.

XZ.xz

XZ uses LZMA2 compression for excellent compression ratios. Common in Linux distributions and large software packages.