How to Password-Protect a ZIP File on Mac
Short answer: You can password-protect a ZIP file on Mac with an archive utility such as ZipGood, which creates ZIP archives with AES-256 encryption. The built-in macOS compress command cannot add a password.
Why the built-in macOS tool cannot do this
The Finder's Compress command creates a plain ZIP archive with no password option. To create an encrypted archive you need a tool that supports archive encryption.
Creating an encrypted ZIP with ZipGood
- Install ZipGood from the Mac App Store.
- Drag your files onto the ZipGood window.
- Select ZIP as the output format.
- Enable encryption and set a password — ZIP archives use AES-256 encryption in ZipGood.
- Click Compress.
AES-256 vs legacy ZIP encryption
Some older tools protect ZIP archives with the legacy Zip 2.0 encryption scheme, which is weak by modern standards. ZipGood uses AES-256 for ZIP archives, which is the same class of encryption used for its 7z archives.
If you also need to hide the list of file names inside the archive, use 7z with header encryption enabled instead of ZIP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I password-protect a ZIP file on Mac without extra software?
No. The built-in Finder compress command creates unencrypted ZIP files only. You need an archive utility such as ZipGood to add a password.
What encryption does ZipGood use for ZIP files?
ZipGood creates ZIP archives with AES-256 encryption.
Can I hide the file names inside an encrypted archive?
Yes — create a 7z archive with header encryption enabled. ZIP does not support hiding the file list in the same way.
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.