Your iPhone's Files app can unzip a basic .zip, but it can't open .7z archives. iZip for iPhone and iPad opens 7z files in a couple of taps, including archives that are split into parts or protected with a password.
What you need: an iPhone or iPad with iZip from the App Store installed, and the .7z file you want to open.
What is a 7z file?
7z is the archive format created by 7-Zip. It usually compresses better than ZIP, which is why it's popular for large downloads, game mods and file backups shared from Windows PCs. 7z archives can use LZMA, LZMA2 and other compression methods, and can be encrypted with AES-256. iZip supports all of these.
Open a 7z file from the Files app
Use this if the 7z file is already saved on your iPhone, in iCloud Drive, or on a connected drive.
- Find the file. Open the Files app and browse to the .7z file.
- Share it to iZip. Touch and hold the file, tap Share, then choose iZip from the row of apps. (If you don't see iZip, swipe to the end of the row and tap More.)
- Browse the contents. iZip opens the archive and lists everything inside it, without extracting the whole file first.
- Preview or extract. Tap a file to preview it, or select the files you need and extract them to a folder in Files.
Open a 7z attachment from Mail, Messages or Safari
- Tap the attachment or download. In Mail or Messages, tap the .7z attachment. In Safari, tap the download once it finishes.
- Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing up).
- Choose iZip. The archive opens in iZip, ready to browse and extract.
You can also open iZip first and use its built-in file browser to pick a .7z file from Files or iCloud Drive.
Opening split 7z archives (.7z.001, .7z.002…)
Large 7z archives are often split into numbered parts. To open them:
- Save all the parts into the same folder in Files first.
- Open the first part, the one ending in
.7z.001, with iZip. iZip reads the remaining parts automatically. - If iZip reports a missing or damaged part, check that every part has finished downloading and that none have been renamed.
Opening a password-protected 7z file
If the 7z archive is encrypted, iZip asks for the password when you open it or when you extract files. Type it exactly, including upper and lower case. See our guide to opening encrypted archives on iPhone for troubleshooting tips.
Frequently asked questions
Can the iPhone open 7z files without an app?
No. The built-in Files app only expands standard .zip files. You need an archiver app like iZip for .7z, .rar and encrypted archives.
Is iZip free?
iZip is a free download from the App Store, and it's free to open and extract archives.
What other formats does iZip open?
ZIP, ZIPX, RAR (including RAR5), 7Z, TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2 and TAR.XZ, including encrypted archives. See also how to open RAR files on iPhone.
Can I make 7z files on my Mac?
Yes, see how to make a 7z archive on your Mac with iZip for macOS.
Get iZip for iPhone & iPad
Free download on the App Store. Open ZIP, RAR, 7z and encrypted archives anywhere.