How to Extract Files from a LZH Archive on macOS
LZH files use the same format as LHA — the extension is simply an alternative naming convention that was particularly popular in Japanese computing. If you've encountered a .lzh file on macOS, the extraction process is identical to LHA.
The default way to open LZH files on macOS
Tool: lha via Homebrew (third-party)
$ lha x archive.lzhSteps
- Install lha via Homebrew: brew install lha
- Run: lha x archive.lzh
- Alternatively, use 7-Zip: 7zz x archive.lzh
Extract individual files from a LZH archive
The default macOS tools extract everything — there's no way to pick individual files. MacPacker lets you browse LZH archive contents, preview files, and extract only what you need — without unpacking the entire archive.
A better way: open LZH files with MacPacker
MacPacker is a free, open-source macOS archive manager that supports LZH 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 macpackerApp Store updates may lag a few days behind direct downloads due to Apple review.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LHA and LZH?
LHA and LZH are the same archive format. The .lzh extension is an alternative naming convention. Both can be opened with MacPacker or extracted with the lha command-line tool.
Related formats
LHA (also known as LZH) is a Japanese archive format popular in retro computing and the Amiga community.
ARJ was a popular DOS-era archive format. Rarely used today but still found in legacy archives and retro computing.
ZIP is the most widely used archive format on macOS. It supports lossless compression and is natively handled by Finder and Archive Utility.