Features
Create Archives
Compress files and folders into a ZIP, 7z or tar, with a password if you like.
Create a new archive
- Choose File › New Archive (⌘N). An empty window opens.
- Drag files and folders from the Finder into the window, or select them with the + button. Use − to remove something again; ⌘Z undoes the last step.
- At the top, under Share with, choose who gets the archive. Archydes cleans up the contents to match; see Clean Share.
- Click the button with the archive icon or press ⌘S. In the dialog, choose a name, location, goal and password, then click Save.
While compressing, Archydes shows its progress, and you can cancel at any time. Beforehand, Archydes checks that the archive will fit on the drive.
It’s even faster from the Finder: Right-click › Archydes › Create Archive (ZIP) compresses the selection right away; see Finder menu.
Choose a goal or format
Instead of a compression level, you choose a goal in the save dialog: Fast, Balanced, Smallest or Long-term archive. Archydes estimates size and time for each goal and marks the recommendation with ★. Smart Compress explains how it works.
To set the format and level yourself, choose Custom setting:
| Format | Good for |
|---|---|
| ZIP | Sharing: opens on any Mac, PC and smartphone without extra software. |
| 7z | The smallest possible archives and hidden file names. The recipient needs an app such as Archydes or 7-Zip. |
| tar.gz, tar.xz, tar.zst, tar.bz2 | Linux and servers; permissions and links are preserved exactly. |
| tar | Bundling files without compressing them. |
Encrypt with a password
In the save dialog, turn on Encrypt with password (AES-256) and enter the password twice. This works with ZIP and 7z.
- ZIP encrypts only the contents. The file names stay readable without the password.
- 7z can also encrypt the file names (Encrypt file names, selected by default). Without the password, nobody can even list what’s in the archive.
What goes into the archive
- Mac clutter such as
.DS_Store,._files,__MACOSX, extended attributes and access control lists is always left out. That way, no mysterious extra files turn up on a PC. - File names are stored as UTF-8, so umlauts and accents arrive correctly everywhere.
- Links (symbolic links) and execute permissions are preserved, unless Clean Share replaces them.
- Your original files are never changed.