How to Create an Encrypted 7z Archive on Mac
Short answer: You can create an encrypted 7z archive on Mac with ZipGood: choose 7z as the output format, enable AES-256 encryption, optionally enable header encryption to hide the file list, and set a password.
Encryption options for 7z in ZipGood
- AES-256 encryption for the archive contents
- Header encryption to hide the file names and structure
- Solid archives, which can improve the compression ratio
- A compression method slider to trade speed against size
- Split volumes for archives that must fit a size limit
How to create an encrypted 7z archive
- Install ZipGood from the Mac App Store.
- Drag the files you want to protect onto the ZipGood window.
- Select 7z as the output format.
- Enable AES-256 encryption and, optionally, header encryption.
- Set a password and click Compress.
Where the password is stored
ZipGood stores passwords exclusively in the macOS Keychain. They are never written to plain files and never transmitted. If you want to reuse the same password for one-click encryption from the Finder, set it as your default password in Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What encryption does ZipGood use for 7z archives?
ZipGood uses AES-256 encryption for 7z archives, with optional header encryption.
What is header encryption?
Header encryption encrypts the archive's file list as well as its contents, so someone without the password cannot even see the names of the files inside.
Can I encrypt a 7z archive directly from the Finder?
Yes. Set a default password in ZipGood, then use the Finder context-menu encrypt commands. The quick action runs headless, with progress on the Dock icon.
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.