How to unzip files in Google Drive

In this tutorial, we will see how to unzip files in Google Drive easily by using different ways.

Google Drive has evolved a lot over years. Ranging from tiny PNGs and large video files we are managing different documents on Google Drive storage. You can easily store small size files like images, gifs, word documents, etc in Google Drive.

But, when you are dealing with large file formats like videos, heavy pdf’s it may take too long, sometimes even hours to upload and download. Moreover, the amount of space we are provided with Google Drive is limited. Even on paid accounts, the storage should be used wisely. Zipped files are a lifesaver when it comes to dealing with such large files. You can easily manage heavy documents in zip formats.

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Unzip files in Google Drive

You might have used some zip tools to zip and unzip documents in your local machines. But when it comes to cloud storage such as Google Drive it can be a bit different. Let’s explore different ways to unzip files in Google Drive.

Method 1: Brute force method – Downloading and unzipping

There is no direct mechanism to unzip files within Google Drive directly. But you can download it and unzip using external zip tools within your machine.

Just follow the below steps to unzip files in Google Drive.

Steps in unzipping files in Google Drive:

Step 1: Select the file(s) you have to unzip.

Step 2: Right-click on them and select the Download option.

Step 3: The file(s) will be downloaded in your local machine storage. Click on the downloaded zip folder.

Step 4: Right-click on it and select Unzip. You can choose the location to unzip (or) leave it to the default location.

Disadvantage:

But this method is really complex and time-consuming. It requires manually downloading and then unzipping. It’s not a feasible solution when the numbers are high since it takes too much of your time.

Method 2: Unzip files in Google Drive without downloading using a zip extractor extension

ZIP Extractor is a simple Chrome extension that extracts files from a ZIP archive within Google Drive. Zip extractor extension can be an invaluable time-saver if you deal with lots of cloud documents and want to bypass the inconvenience of unzipping.

Steps to unzip files in Google Drive using Zip extractor extension:

To unzip files in Google Drive without downloading using a zip extractor extension, simply follow the below steps.

Step 1: Download and install the zip extractor chrome extension from the Chrome web store

Step 2: Open Google drive on your PC/mobile explorer

Step 3: Select the file and right-click to Open with the ZIP Extractor for ZIP files stored in Drive.

Note: On first use, the extension will ask you to authorize ZIP Extractor to access to Google Drive.

Step 4: You will be presented with the option to select the files to extract.

Note: By default, all files are selected.

Step 5: Select the files needed to be unzipped

Step 6: Choose Extract Now to extract into a new folder inside the current folder. You can change the destination folder.

Step 7: The extracted file is saved in a folder with the same name as the ZIP file.

After extraction, click “View Files” to go to the unzipped files in Google Drive.

Method 3: How to unzip files in Google Drive by “Sync with cloud”.

Syncing the local folder with the cloud is one of the easiest ways to deal with zip operations.

Sync all downloaded files to Drive on Windows

To unzip files, Sync all downloaded files to Drive on Windows by following the below steps.

Step 1: Download and install Drive File Stream.

Step 2: On your computer, go to your Downloads folder

Step 3: Click Drive File Stream.

Step 4: Click Open Google Drive.

Step 5: Drag the Downloads folder into a Google Drive folder.

Step 6: Open Chrome browser.

Step 7: In the top-right corner, click More > Settings.

Step 8: Click Advanced and go to Downloads.

Step 9: Click Change and in the pop-up, navigate to the Downloads folder that you dragged to your Google Drive folder and click Select. This selection would be your default download location now.

Sync all downloaded files to Drive on Mac

1. On your Mac, open Finder and navigate to Macintosh HD > Users > your user name.
2. Drag the Downloads folder into a Google Drive folder.
3. Open Chrome and click More: > Settings.
4. Click Show advanced settings and go to Downloads.
5. Click Change and in the pop-up, navigate to the Downloads folder you dragged to your Google Drive folder and click Select. This selection will become your default download location.
   Note: If Drive File Stream is not running, files are saved to a different location.

If you are syncing folders on your device/computer to your cloud, then you could use that device/computer to zip up the data inside a folder on that device/computer using one of the various zip apps (Windows, Winzip, etc). It would then be synced to your cloud.

How to unzip files in google drive on iPad

Well, let’s discuss here how to unzip files in google drive on iPad. Follow the below steps to unzip files in google drive on iPad.

1. The first step is to locate the Files app and launch it.
2. Now, you need to search for the name of the Zip file you want to unzip (The file will be in the “Archive” if you have already created it on a Mac and you didn’t rename it)
3. You have to click on the zip file.
4. The next step is to tap “Preview Content.”
5. As a next step, you need to find the file that you actually want to extract and you need to tap the icon which looks like an arrow inside a box and present at the top corner of your iPad screen.
6. Finally, tap on the “Save to Files” which is present at the bottom of the popup window.
7. Now, it will ask you to save the file in a particular location and then click on the “Add”. By now the file will get unzip and will save on your iPad, you can open it now without any issue.

This is how to unzip files in google drive on iPad.

ZIP Extractor

Cool, ZIP Extractor is one of the free applications or Google chrome extension or is a simple Chrome extension that extracts files from a ZIP archive within Google Drive that helps you with the opportunity to create and open a ZIP file easily from Google Drive.

It supports all the formats including RAR, 7z, TAR, 7z (7-Zip), GZIP (GZ), ZIP, BZIP (BZ2), and TAR.GZ file formats.

Another interesting thing is it also supports the files those are Password Protected.

Remember that ZIP Extractor is a very lightweight app which is absolutely free.

How to install ZIP Extractor app

Well, it’s quite easy to install the ZIP Extractor app using the below steps.

• Right-click on the ZIP file which is present on your Google drive –> Select the Open with option –> Now click on the + Connect more apps option as highlighted below.

• Search for the “ZIP Extractor” and click on the search result Zip Extractor application as highlighted below.

• Now, click on the Install button to install the ZIP Extractor app as shown below.

• On the Get ready to install window, click on the Continue button as highlighted below.

• You need to choose the Gmail account to continue the ZIP extractor installation.

• Grant permission to the ZIP Extractor app by clicking on the Allow button.

• Again, click on the Allow button to grant the ZIP Extractor the permission to view and manage the Google Drive files and folders that you have opened or created with the ZIP Extractor app.

• Finally, click on the Allow button to trust the ZIP Extractor APP.

Now you can click on Done button and you are done with the ZIP Extractor installation.

How to open zip file in google drive

Well, let’s discuss here, how to open zip file in google drive.

Nowadays you will get many third-party options to do the job but the ZIP Extractor app is one of the cool apps that you can use to open a zip file in Google Drive. Follow the three quick steps to do the job.

1. Log in to https://drive.google.com/.
2. Right-click on the zip file that you want to open and then click on the Open with option.

3.Now select the ZIP Extractor app

4. You can able to see below we can able to open the zip file.

Make sure to install the ZIP Extractor app before.

How to remove zip extractor from google drive

It’s quite easy to remove or uninstall the ZIP Extractor using the below steps

• Log in to https://drive.google.com/.
• Right-click on the ZIP file which is present on your Google drive –> Select the Open with option –> Now click on the + Connect more apps option as highlighted below.

• Search for the “ZIP Extractor” and locate the search result Zip Extractor application, then click on the three dots and click on the Uninstall option as highlighted below.

• Finally, click on the Uninstall App button to confirm.

This is How to remove zip extractor from google drive.

Google Drive ZIP File Download

Well, you can quickly download a ZIP file or multiple ZIP files using the below quick step.

• Log in to https://drive.google.com/.
• Locate the ZIP file that you want to download. Right-click on the ZIP file and then click on the Download button as highlighted below.

• Now as the next step it will prompt you to Browse the location in your PC where you want to store the file.

Files By Google Unzip

It’s bit easy to unzip files by Google using the below steps.

1. Open the Files by Google on your favorite android device.
2. Tap the Browse button that is present on the bottom.
3. Now as a next step, locate the folder that contains the .Zip file.
4. Select the .zip file and now you can able to see a pop-up that shows the content of that file.
5. Now. tap the Extract button.
6. Finally, tap the Done button, you can find the extracted files in the same folder.

How To Extract rar File In Google Drive

1. Log in to https://drive.google.com/.
2. Right-click on the RAR file that you want to open and then click on the Open with option and then click on the ZIP Extractor option as highlighted below.

3. Finally, click on the Extract button to extract the RAR file in Google Drive.

This is How To Extract RAR File In Google Drive.

Unzip Files Online

You can easily unzip the files online. No need to install any application in your PC. There are multiple websites that are providing you this opportunity.

1. Go to https://www.ezyzip.com/.
2. Click on Choose files button and browse the zip file or you can also drag and drop your ZIP file there.
3. Now, you can able to see the Extract button. Click on the Extract button to unzip the files online.

This is How to unzip files online.

FAQs

Can you unzip files in Google Drive

Yes, you can use a zip extractor.

You may like the following Google drive tutorials:

• How to upload iPhone photos to google drive
• Google drive unable to process this video
• How to see folder size in google drive?
• How to Find duplicate files in google drive
• How do I resize an image in Google Drive
• How to delete recent activity on google drive
• How to turn off quick access in google drive
• How to password protect google drive

Cool right, thus we have seen different methods on how to unzip files in Google Drive. Choose your feasible method and get your job done.

Rajkishore Sahoo

I am Rajkishore, and I have over 14 years of experience in the Software Industry.  For a long time, I have been using Google Docs, Google Drive, and Google Sheets for my document usage, and I am sharing all the tips and tricks, the challenges I have come across, and their solutions to use Google Docs for your day-to-day use. I hope you will learn from these practical Google Docs tutorials. Read more.