There are numerous apps to help you handle compressed files on iOS, including solutions that will let you open and create password-protected files: Archivesĭeveloped by MacPaw, Archives is based on excellent Mac archiving app, Unarchiver. Don’t give up hope because (drum roll): There’s an app for that However, you still won’t be able to open or create password-protected zip files, you’ll be limited in how you can combine files for a single archive, and you won't be able to create or open files stored in different compression formats. In future, when you receive a compressed zip file you’ll be able to unzip it from your Share sheet.

Shortcuts can work with multiple compression formats, including.

Remember to give it a name, such as Make Archive. Just type Make Archive to find the relevant flow and then add Save File and Show in Share Sheet as decribed above.

You can create a second Shortcut to make archives.

The most important change you should make is to enable Show in Share Sheet (flick to green).

In the next pane, you can name the shortcut and give it an icon.

Tap the switch button at top right of the shortcut name.

When it appears, tap it to add it to the workflow you are building.

Returning to the search bar, type Save File.

In the search bar, type Extract Archive: That shortcut should appear in the list below tap it to add it to your workflow.

You can even create a nice little Shortcut to do this for you: While it isn’t especially obvious, iOS provides some limited features that let you archive and decompress zip files. How do you handle these things on iPad or iPhone? How to handle zip files on iPhone And compression helps keep information safe, even against inquisitive ads trackers lurking inside “free” email or online storage services. Many enterprises rely on zip files to exchange data, particularly confidential data.

How do zip files work