How to Create a ZIP File on Mac
Short answer: You can create a ZIP file on Mac with the Finder's built-in Compress command, or with an archive utility such as ZipGood if you also need AES-256 encryption or split volumes. In ZipGood, drop your files, select ZIP, and click Compress.
Creating a ZIP file with the built-in macOS tool
macOS can create ZIP files without any extra software. Select the files or folders in the Finder, right-click, and choose Compress. macOS produces a .zip file next to the selection.
This is the fastest option when you simply need a plain ZIP file. It does not let you choose a compression method, add a password, or split the archive into volumes.
Creating a ZIP file with ZipGood
- Install ZipGood from the Mac App Store.
- Drag the files or folders you want to archive onto the ZipGood window.
- Select ZIP as the output format.
- Optionally enable AES-256 encryption and set a password.
- Click Compress.
ZIP compatibility
ZIP is the most widely supported archive format. It opens natively on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS, which makes it the safest choice when you do not know what the recipient is using. If you control both ends of the transfer, 7z usually produces a smaller file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a ZIP file on Mac without extra software?
Select the files or folders in the Finder, right-click, and choose Compress. macOS creates a .zip file next to your selection.
Can I create a password-protected ZIP file on Mac?
Not with the built-in Finder compress command. ZipGood can create ZIP archives with AES-256 encryption, which is stronger than the legacy Zip 2.0 encryption used by some older tools.
Can ZipGood split a ZIP file into several parts?
Yes. ZipGood can create split volumes for ZIP archives, which is useful when an archive has to fit an attachment size limit.
Sources
- ZipGood on the Mac App Store Level 1
- ZipGood Product Description Level 2
- ZipGood Support Documentation Level 3
Product facts on this page were last verified on October 2, 2026.