Help and frequently asked questions
These are the questions people actually ask us, grouped by topic. If yours is not here, use the contact form; we read every message and add common questions to this page.
Formats and features
Which formats can UnpackNest open?
RAR (RAR4 and RAR5), ZIP (Store, Deflate and ZIP64), 7z (including split .7z.001 sets and AES-256 passwords), TAR, TAR.GZ, TGZ and single GZ files. Each has its own tool on the tools page.
Can UnpackNest create archives?
No. UnpackNest opens and extracts archives. To create a ZIP or 7z, follow the create-archive guide, which uses free tools on your device.
Does UnpackNest open ISO, DMG or XZ files?
There is no ISO or DMG tool. The ISO guide explains how to mount images with your operating system. .tar.xz and .tar.bz2 are recognised but not extracted yet; use desktop 7-Zip, or tar -xf on macOS and Linux.
Can I extract password-protected archives?
Protected 7z archives, yes: type the password in the 7z tool. Encrypted entries in ZIP and RAR files are listed but not extracted yet; the password guide lists desktop tools that handle them.
Can I open split archives (.7z.001, .part1.rar)?
Split 7z sets work: select every part at once in the 7z tool. Multi-volume RAR sets are not supported in the browser yet; use 7-Zip or WinRAR with all parts in one folder.
Privacy and safety
Is my file uploaded?
No. The tools read the archive inside your browser tab. You can verify this yourself with the method in the browser privacy guide.
What does UnpackNest record about my visit?
When analytics are enabled: the page path, language, device class, referrer domain, time on page and simple tool events such as an error code, counted per day without cookies. File names and contents are never recorded. Details are in the privacy policy.
Is a password I type for a 7z archive stored?
No. It is used inside your browser tab and forgotten when you close or reload the page.
Does UnpackNest scan files for viruses?
No. The tools block dangerous archive structures (unsafe paths, links and decompression bombs) but do not judge whether a program is malicious. See the archive safety guide.
Why was a file inside my archive blocked?
Its path tried to write outside the extraction folder, it was a link, or it exceeded a safety limit. These are deliberate protections. Extract the other files and ask the sender about the blocked one.
Limits and errors
How large can an archive be?
The ZIP and TAR/GZ tools read archives in pieces, so the archive itself can be several gigabytes; each extracted file is limited to 2 GB. In the 7z tool each extracted file is limited to 1 GB because it is held in memory before saving. Phones have less memory than computers.
The tool says the archive is incomplete or truncated. What now?
The download stopped early. Compare the size with the source and download again. The repair guide explains what else can be done.
It says "compression method not supported".
The archive uses a method the tool does not include, such as LZMA or Zstandard inside a ZIP. Open it with 7-Zip, or ask the sender for a standard ZIP.
My RAR will not open at all.
Work through the seven checks in Why won't my RAR file open?. Most cases are incomplete downloads, passwords or missing parts.
The page reloaded or froze with a big archive.
The browser ran out of memory, which happens mostly on phones. Close other tabs, use a computer, or extract one file at a time.
Devices and browsers
Which browsers are supported?
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on desktop and mobile. We test every release in Chromium, Firefox and WebKit at phone and desktop widths.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Choose the file from the Files app (iPhone) or the file picker (Android). Extracted files go to your browser's downloads.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tools run in the page. The 7z tool downloads its engine (about 1.6 MB) the first time you choose a file.
About the service
Is UnpackNest free?
Yes. The site may show advertising, which is how the service is paid for. Ads never appear inside the tools, and they load only after your consent choice.
How do I report a problem or suggest a feature?
Use the contact form. Describe the archive type, the browser and the exact error message. Please do not attach confidential files.