Opening a ZIP in Google Drive doesn't give you a separate folder of its contents. To unpack it, use ZIP Extractor to save the files back to Drive or download the archive and extract it on your device. Start with the browser method if you want the files in Drive, or jump to the instructions for your device.
Extract the ZIP directly to Google Drive
A ZIP preview leaves your files packed inside the archive because Google Drive has no native web extraction command.
Open ZIP Extractor in your desktop or mobile browser. It runs in the browser and saves extracted files to Drive.
Choose Open ZIP From Google Drive.
Select your archive.
Authorize access when prompted.
Enter the archive password if requested.
Select the contents you want to extract.
Choose Extract to Drive. Your unpacked files go to Google Drive, although the browser still transfers the archive data to your device during extraction.
Add ZIP Extractor to Drive’s Open with menu
Want to open future archives straight from Drive on your computer? Visit ZIP Extractor’s Google Workspace Marketplace listing, choose Install, and complete the account authorization.
In Drive on the web, right-click the ZIP and choose Open with → ZIP Extractor.
Inside the extractor, choose Extract to Drive to save the unpacked contents.
Download and unzip on Windows or Mac
For a local copy, start at Google Drive. Right-click the ZIP to open its menu.
Choose Download. This saves the archive to your computer; it still needs unpacking.
On Windows 11, locate the downloaded ZIP in File Explorer.
Right-click the archive.
Choose Extract All....
Follow the prompts to choose a destination and complete extraction.
Only need part of the ZIP? Open it in File Explorer.
Drag the file or folder you need into a normal folder.
On a Mac, double-click the downloaded ZIP in Finder or on the desktop. The expanded contents appear in the same folder.
If the built-in method fails, open the original Drive archive with ZIP Extractor using the first method above. Windows’ built-in extractor does not handle encrypted archives; ZIP Extractor accepts the archive password when prompted.
On iPhone or iPad, save the ZIP to Files
Use Apple’s built-in Files app when you want to unpack the archive on your iPhone or iPad. Start by exporting the ZIP from Drive.
In the Google Drive app, tap More beside the ZIP.
Choose Open in.
Tap Save to Files.
Choose a destination on your device.
Tap Save.
Open Files.
Locate the saved archive.
Touch and hold the ZIP, then tap Uncompress. Files creates a folder containing its extracted contents. On iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, simply tapping the ZIP also extracts it.
Tap the new folder to access your files.
Unpack a downloaded ZIP on Android
Downloading a ZIP from Drive leaves it compressed, so there's still an extraction step before you can use the unpacked files.
In the Google Drive app, tap More beside the ZIP.
Choose Download. This option is unavailable while network Data Saver is enabled.
Open Files by Google. Its extraction feature supports .zip files only.
Navigate to the downloaded ZIP.
Select the archive.
Tap Extract.
Tap Done. The extracted files remain beside the downloaded archive. Your original ZIP in Drive stays packed.
Put locally extracted files back in Drive
Uploading puts the files you unpacked on your computer back in Google Drive.
At Google Drive, open the destination folder.
Choose New.
Choose Folder Upload for an extracted folder, or File Upload for individual files.
Select the extracted items to upload.
When an archive needs a password or extra parts
Password-protected and split archives need an extra input before extraction can finish. ZIP Extractor accepts passwords and the additional volumes of a split archive.
For a protected archive, enter its password when ZIP Extractor requests it.
For a split archive, choose Add File Parts from Drive when prompted.
Supply all volumes of the archive.
For an archive inside another archive, preview the inner archive.
Choose Open ZIP to open it.
Choose Previous ZIP to return to the outer archive.
If you can't download a shared ZIP, ask its owner to review the download permissions.
The owner starts by selecting the file in Drive.
Open Share.
Open Settings.
Under People who can download, copy, and print, check the recipient’s role to allow downloading. Administrator restrictions also apply, including restrictions that affect owners.
Retry downloading the ZIP or opening it in the extractor.
If ZIP Extractor is blocked on a work or school account, contact your administrator to request access. Your organization controls third-party app access and installation, as well as download restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extract just one file from a ZIP in Google Drive?
Yes. Open the archive in ZIP Extractor, select the item, and choose Save to Drive or Download. You don't need to extract the entire archive.
Can ZIP Extractor save an entire folder to my computer?
In desktop Chrome or Edge, choose Extract to Computer and select a destination folder. In Firefox or Safari, select up to 50 files, then choose More actions → Download all files. That action downloads separate extracted files.
Will setting ZIP Extractor as the default app automatically unzip uploads?
No. In Drive on the web, Settings → Settings → Manage apps → Use by default changes which connected app opens compatible archives. It does not automatically extract uploaded ZIPs.
How do I remove ZIP Extractor’s Drive integration afterward?
In Drive on the web, open Settings → Settings → Manage apps. Find ZIP Extractor, open Options, and choose Disconnect from Drive.
