How to Zip a File on iPhone & iPad

Since iOS 13, you can create zip files directly on your iPhone or iPad using the built-in Files app. No third-party apps needed.

Zip a Single File

Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad. If you can't find it, swipe down on the home screen and search for "Files".

Files app icon on iPhone home screen

Browse to the file you want to zip. It can be in On My iPhone, iCloud Drive, or any other connected storage.

Press and hold the file until a context menu appears.

Long-press context menu on a file in the Files app

Tap "Compress" in the context menu. A new .zip file will appear in the same folder.

Compress option in Files app context menu

Open the Files app, navigate to the folder containing your files, and tap the three-dot menu (...) in the top-right corner. Tap "Select".

Tap each file you want to include in the zip archive. A blue checkmark appears on selected files.

Multiple files selected in iOS Files app with blue checkmarks

Tap the three-dot menu (...) in the bottom-right corner and choose "Compress". A new Archive.zip file will appear.

Compress option after selecting multiple files in iOS Files app

Long-press the new zip file and tap "Rename" to give it a descriptive name.

Unzipping is even simpler: just tap the .zip file in the Files app. iOS will automatically extract its contents into a new folder.

For more details, see our complete guide to unzipping files.

Sharing: After creating a zip file, you can share it via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or any other sharing option by long-pressing the file and tapping "Share".
iCloud Drive: You can zip files stored in iCloud Drive the same way. The zip file will also be saved to iCloud.
No password support: The built-in Files app doesn't support creating password-protected zips. You'll need a third-party app for that.
File size: Be mindful of storage space on your device. The zip file will be created alongside the original files.
Supported formats: The Files app can create and open .zip files. For .rar, .7z, or .tar.gz, you'll need a third-party app.

Last updated: March 2026