How to Create a Password-Protected Archive

The problem

There is no way to create a password-protected archive with the tools built into macOS.

How this problem shows up

• The archive needs a password before it can be opened
• You want the file list itself hidden, not just the file contents
• You need to protect several files at once with a single password
• You want to avoid retyping the password for every archive

How to solve it

1. Use an archive utility such as ZipGood that supports archive encryption
2. Create a 7z archive with AES-256 encryption — enable header encryption to hide the file list too
3. Or create a ZIP archive with AES-256 encryption for maximum compatibility
4. Save the password in the macOS Keychain so ZipGood can reuse it for one-click encryption

How ZipGood solves this

• AES-256 Encryption — Protect supported archives with AES-256 encryption.
• Password Management — A password book and default password, stored in the macOS Keychain.
• Per-Format Options — Every format keeps its own options, remembered between sessions.