Users of mobile devices are often faced with the need to work with archives. An unexpectedly received file with the extension .tar may cause confusion if specialized software is not installed on the smartphone. Unlike conventional ZIP archives, the TAR format has its own specifics associated with the history of UNIX operating systems. Figuring out how to extract the contents of such a container may be necessary when installing mods, transferring system data, or working with backups.
The standard file manager of your smartphone may not recognize this format or offer only basic actions that will not lead to success. In this article we will take a detailed look at the tools that allow you to work correctly with archives of this type directly on a mobile device. You will learn about the nuances of unpacking, potential risks and choosing the optimal software to solve the problem.
Often users confuse TAR with TAR.GZ or TAR.BZ2, which complicates the opening process. It is important to understand that TAR is essentially a “tape” (Tape ARchive), which simply combines files into one stream without compression, while the addition of the GZ or BZ2 suffixes indicates the use of compression algorithms. It is this feature that dictates the choice of a suitable tool for Android.
What is a TAR archive and its features
Format TAR was originally created for Unix systems with the goal of combining many files into a single image for convenient storage on magnetic tapes. The main feature of this format is that it itself does not compress data, but only packs it. This means that the size of the resulting file will be equal to the sum of the sizes of all documents, images or apps attached to it.
In practice, pure TAR is rare. Most often, users deal with compressed variations, such as archive.tar.gz or backup.tar.bz2. In such cases, the archiver first creates a TAR container and then applies a compression algorithm (Gzip or Bzip2) to it. To the user this looks like a single file, but to the unpacker it is a two-step process that not all applications can perform automatically.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to rename a file extension manually (for example, changing .tar.gz to .zip) will not make it openable by standard means. This will only confuse the file system and can lead to data integrity errors during subsequent processing.
Understanding the structure is important when choosing software. If you downloaded a file from a resource dedicated to modifying firmware or kernel Linux, most likely it contains scripts or binary files that require special handling. Conventional extraction may not be enough if the goal is to install a system component.
Best applications for unzipping on a smartphone
The mobile utility market offers many solutions, but not all of them deal with the TAR format equally effectively. Some applications focus only on ZIP and RAR, ignoring more complex or specific archives. To guarantee results, it is recommended to use proven tools with wide format support.
One of the leaders in this niche is the application ZArchiver. It features an intuitive interface and free distribution without intrusive advertising. The app can not only unpack, but also create new archives, as well as work with encrypted containers. Support for TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2 and many other formats is implemented at a high level.
Another worthy option is RAR for Android from the developer RARLAB. This is the official mobile version of the popular desktop archiver. Although the interface may seem outdated, the app engine provides high processing speed and reliability of data extraction even from damaged files.
- 📦 ZArchiver —the best balance of functionality and simplicity, support for scripts.
- 🔧 RAR for Android —high reliability, recovery of damaged archives.
- 🚀 Archiver —minimalistic design, fast work with cloud storages.
- 📂 Files + Extractor — built-in file manager with an unpacking function.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the permissions that the application requests. For the archiver to work correctly, it needs access to all files on the device. If a app requests access to contacts or a microphone without good reason, this is a reason to refuse to install it in favor of a more secure analogue.
Step-by-step guide for unpacking a file
The process of extracting data from a TAR archive on Android is quite simple if you use the right tool. Let's consider the algorithm of actions using the example of the popular ZArchiver manager, which is a de facto standard for many users.
First you need to download and install the application from the official store Google Play. After launch, you will see the file manager interface. Find the folder where your archive was downloaded (usually this is directory Download). Click on the file with the extension .tar or .tar.gz once to bring up the context menu.
☑️ Preparing for unpacking
In the menu that appears, select “Unpack” or “Unpack to...”. The second option is preferable, as it allows you to specify a specific folder for extraction, avoiding cluttering the root directory with many disparate files. After confirmation, the decompression process will begin, the progress of which is displayed as a percentage.
File path: /sdcard/Download/backup_data.tar
Action: Press and hold the file -> Select "Unpack here"
Upon completion of the operation, a new directory with the name of the archive will appear in the same folder (without extension) or files that were inside. Now you can work with them as with regular data: move, open or delete the original archive to save space.
If the archive contains thousands of small files, the unpacking process may take several minutes. Do not close the application or lock the screen to avoid the process being paused by the energy saving system.
Working with damaged or encrypted archives
The process does not always go smoothly. Sometimes the user encounters the “Unknown format” or “File is damaged” error. This can happen for several reasons: the file has not been downloaded completely, an outdated compression algorithm is used, or a password is missing.
If the file is encrypted, the application will ask for a password when you try to decompress it. Without knowing the decryption key, it is impossible to access the data, since modern encryption algorithms (for example, AES-256) provide high strength. Make sure that you enter the password in the correct layout and case, since passwords are case sensitive.
⚠️ Attention: Downloading archives from unverified sources carries the risk of infecting your device with malware. There may be executable scripts hidden inside the TAR archive that, when executed, will cause harm to the system. Always check the source of the file.
If the file is damaged, you can try the repair function if you use RAR for Android. This utility has built-in data reconstruction algorithms that can save some information from a damaged archive. However, success is not guaranteed, especially if the file header is damaged.
Why can the file be damaged?
Most often this happens due to an unstable Internet connection during downloading. Data packets are lost and the resulting file is incomplete. The cause may also be a failure of the file system of the memory card or a sudden power outage of the device during recording.
Sometimes the problem lies not in the file, but in the access rights. If you try to unpack an archive into a system folder without root access, the operation will be blocked. In such cases, you must either obtain extended rights or extract the files to internal memory and then move them manually.
Comparison of popular archivers for Android
To help you make the final choice, we have prepared a comparison table of the main characteristics of popular applications. This will allow you to evaluate their capabilities in terms of format support, convenience and additional functions.
| Application | TAR/TAR.GZ support | Creating archives | Working with passwords | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZArchiver | Full | Yes | Yes | Minimum |
| RAR for Android | Full | Yes (only RAR/ZIP) | Yes | Yes |
| Files by Google | Limited | No | No | No |
| B1 Archiver | Full | Yes | Yes | Yes |
As can be seen from the table, specialized utilities significantly exceed standard file managers in functionality. Only ZArchiver and RAR for Android guarantee correct work with all variations of the TAR format, including multi-volume archives. Free versions of system file managers are often limited to only basic ZIP.
The choice depends on your tasks. If you just need to open a file once, any application from the list will do. To regularly work with archives, create backups or install mods, it is better to install a permanent tool like ZArchiver.
The versatility of ZArchiver makes it the preferred choice for most Android users, as it combines support for rare formats and a user-friendly interface in one free package.
Common problems and ways to solve them
Even with the right software, difficulties may arise. One common problem is the "Not enough space" message. Since TAR archives often contain a lot of data, make sure that there is free space on the internal drive that is at least 1.5 times the size of the archive.
Another situation is that the file is not visible in the list. Check your display settings in your file manager. Perhaps files with certain extensions are hidden, or the archive is located in a protected system folder, access to which is closed to ordinary applications without granting special permissions through the menu Settings → Applications → File access.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and menu names may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI and etc.). If you do not find the item you need, use the search in your phone settings.
If the archiver gives a CRC (checksum) error, this almost always means that the file has not been downloaded completely. Try downloading it again, preferably using a stable Wi-Fi connection to prevent loss of data packets during the transfer process.
What should you do if the application crashes when opening a large archive?
This may be due to a lack of random access memory (RAM). Close all background applications before unpacking. If the problem persists, try using the 64-bit version of the archiver if your version of Android supports it.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to open a TAR file without installing additional applications?
In most cases, no. Standard Android file managers often do not have built-in libraries for handling TAR containers. However, some shells, such as MIUI or proprietary solutions from Samsung, may have basic support, but it is often limited and does not work with compressed versions (tar.gz).
What is the difference between TAR and ZIP?
The main difference is the processing method. ZIP compresses each file individually and adds a table of contents to the end or beginning of the archive. TAR simply concatenates files into one stream (“tape”), and compression (if necessary) is applied to the entire stream using an external algorithm (gzip, bzip2). This makes TAR more efficient for storing many small files in a Linux environment.
Is it safe to open TAR files from unknown sources?
The format itself is safe, but the contents of the archive can be dangerous. There may be malicious scripts (.sh, .bat) or fraudulent system files inside. Never run executable files from unverified archives without first checking them with an antivirus.
Why do files have strange access rights after unpacking?
The TAR format saves information about access rights (chmod) and file owner, which is relevant for Linux. When decompressing on Android, the file system may incorrectly interpret these labels, making the files unreadable or writable. This is usually solved by changing the rights through a terminal or a file manager with root access.