How to unpack an archive in WhatsApp?

Question

admin · Accepted Answer

How to unpack an archive in WhatsApp - briefly?
To unpack an archive in WhatsApp, first download the received file. Then, use a third-party file manager or archiver app to extract its contents.

How to unpack an archive in WhatsApp - in detail?
Unpacking an archive in WhatsApp can be a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps. WhatsApp is primarily known for its messaging capabilities, but it also allows users to share files, including archives like ZIP or RAR. Here’s a detailed guide on how to unpack an archive in WhatsApp:

Receiving the Archive:
When you receive an archive file through WhatsApp, it will appear as any other media attachment. You can find it in the chat window where it was sent. The file could be a ZIP, RAR, or another type of compressed archive.

Downloading the Archive:
Before you can unpack the archive, you need to download it to your device. Tap on the attachment to start the download process. WhatsApp will save the file to your device’s storage (either internal or external).

Locating the File:
After the download is complete, you need to find where WhatsApp saved the file. This location varies depending on your device and settings:

On Android devices, files are usually stored in the WhatsApp folder within the internal storage or an SD card (if available).
On iOS devices, files are typically saved to the Documents app under a WhatsApp-related folder.

Unpacking the Archive:
Once you have located the file, you will need a file manager or archiving tool to unpack it. Here’s how you can proceed:

On Android Devices:

Open the Files app (or any other file manager you prefer).
Navigate to the WhatsApp &#62; Media &#62; WhatsApp Documents folder.
Locate the archive file and tap on it. If your device does not have a built-in archiver, you might need to install one from the Google Play Store (e.g., RAR, WinZip).
Use the app to unpack the contents of the archive. The extracted files will be saved in a new folder within the same directory or a location of your choice.

On iOS Devices:

Open the Files app.
Navigate to the On My iPhone &#62; WhatsApp Document folder (or similar).
Locate the archive file and tap on it. If your device does not have a built-in archiver, you might need to install one from the App Store (e.g., WinZip, iZip).
Use the app to unpack the contents of the archive. The extracted files will be saved in a new folder within the same directory or a location of your choice.

Accessing the Unpacked Files:
After the extraction process is complete, you can access the unpacked files directly from your device’s storage. Depending on what was inside the archive, you might be able to view documents, play media files, or run applications.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully unpack any archive file received through WhatsApp on both Android and iOS devices.