What is Mac Unzip Error 1?

Mac Unzip Error 1 is an error message that occurs when trying to unzip or extract files on a Mac computer. It indicates that there was an issue with the extraction process, and the operation couldn't be completed successfully.

What causes Mac Unzip Error 1?

Mac Unzip Error 1 can have various causes, including: Corrupted archive file: The ZIP file you are trying to extract may be damaged or corrupted, causing the error. Incompatible software: The software you are using to extract the ZIP file may not be compatible with the file format or the macOS version. Insufficient disk space: If your Mac's hard drive doesn't have enough free space, it can lead to extraction errors. Permission issues: If you don't have the necessary permissions to access or extract the files, it can result in Error 1.

How can I fix Mac Unzip Error 1?

Here are some possible solutions to fix Mac Unzip Error 1: Use a different unzipping tool: Try using a different unzipping tool or software to extract the files. Popular options include The Unarchiver, StuffIt Expander, or Keka. Download and install one of these tools, then attempt to unzip the file again. Check the integrity of the ZIP file: If you suspect the ZIP file is corrupted, try downloading it again from a reliable source. If possible, verify the integrity of the file using a checksum or MD5 hash provided by the source. Ensure sufficient disk space: Make sure your Mac has enough free disk space to accommodate the extracted files. Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to an external storage device to free up space. Grant necessary permissions: Check the permissions of the ZIP file and the destination folder. Ensure that you have the necessary read and write permissions to access and extract the files. You can do this by right-clicking on the file/folder, selecting "Get Info," and adjusting the permissions under the "Sharing & Permissions" section. Update your software: Ensure that both the unzipping software you are using and your macOS are up to date. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues. Check for updates in the App Store or the software's official website. Try a different macOS user account: Create a new user account on your Mac and log in with that account. Then try extracting the ZIP file using the new user account. Sometimes, issues with user-specific settings or configurations can cause errors. Repair disk permissions: Use the Disk Utility application to repair disk permissions on your Mac. Launch Disk Utility, select your startup disk, click on "First Aid," and then click "Repair Disk Permissions."

How to Fix Mac Unzip Error 1- Operation Not Permitted 2024？

James Crawford

2024-04-09 11:27:42

44229 views, 3 min read

More often than not, there is a need to compress large files into zip format for easy and fast transfer. Zip is a popular archive file format that enables data compression without losing any part of the data, therefore it is widely used by both Mac and Windows users. However, it is not an all positive experience for Mac users when you try to expand zip file but encounter an error message that says Unable to expand filename.zip (Error 1 – Operation not permitted.), with the Mac Archive Utility dialogue shown as below:

Unable to expand zip file can be disheartening and discouraging, but we would guide you on how to fix Mac unzip error 1 in this article, let’s dive into it.

Mac archive utility error 1

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Part 1: How to Fix Mac Archive Utility Unzip Error 1 Operation Not Permitted
Part 2: How to Recover Deleted/Lost Zip Files on Mac due to Error
FAQ: Know More about Mac Archive Utility

Part 1. How to Fix Mac Archive Utility Unzip Error 1 Operation Not Permitted

In this section, we will take you through the different ways and processes you can apply to fix this error.

1Unzip File in Terminal

Normally, to decompress a zipped file on Mac, you simply need to double-click the zip file, and it will automatically unzip. But if this is not the case, try unzipping your file from Terminal. Every Mac OS has a Terminal application that uses a command prompt to control the Mac. To successfully unzip your file using Terminal, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open and run Terminal. Do one of the following on your Mac:

Hold the Command and Space key to open Spotlight, type "Terminal" into the search box, then click Terminal.
Launch Finder, go to Applications > Utilities folder, then double click Terminal.

unzip files in terminal

Step 2: Input the command Unzip filename.zip into Terminal and click on Enter.

Step 3: Your file will start unzipping.

Step 4 (Optional): If you get a message like "No such directory Error" or "cannot find", you might eventually have to manually use the "cd" command to change directory and unzip your files there. For example, type "cd . /desktop" in Terminal to change the directory to Desktop.

If the above method doesn't get the job done, then try out our next fix.

2Try Zipeg Application

If your Zip file is too large, Mac Archive Utility may also show Error 1 operation not permitted, so our next bet to resolve the issue is using a different program to help unzip your file. Most Mac users find Zipeg as a top solution for them. As a free utility tool and an open-source program for both Windows and Mac users, Zipeg can be used to compress and extract archive files in zip, 7z, Rar and Tar formats, etc. It can be used in resolving the Error 1 archive issue for Mac users in the below steps.

Firstly, you need to download the Zipeg application.

After installing Zipeg, open the application to add your zip file, or you can alternatively drag and drop the file into the Zipeg icon.

Zipeg will display all the contents of your archive file, select the content you want to extract from the list shown.

unzip files with Zipeg

Choose a destination folder on your computer to extract to.

Finally, start extracting by clicking "Extract." Once it is done, your files will be moved to your desired destination folder.

3Use Stuffit Expander to Expand Zip Files

There might be a problem with your permissions when opening a zip file normally. This can be resolved by using other Unzip Software on the App Store that can help unzip your files. You can get and try Stuffit Expander from the Mac App store as it can be used for this purpose. Many users who were unable to fix Mac unzip Error 1 with the first two methods were able to use this tool in resolving the problem. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Get Stuffit Expander from the Mac App Store.
2. Open the application from Spotlight, then locate the zip file you wish to unzip and open it.
3. Choose a new folder you wish to extract the compressed file to.
4. You are done! The file will be unzipped.

Part 2. How to Recover Deleted/Lost Zip Files on Mac due to Error

If you have deleted a zip file by accident or the file is lost due to zip file error 1, don’t worry as you still can get your files back. Your best bet is AnyRecover for Mac, which is a home/office data recovery software.

AnyRecover for Mac is perfectly compatible with all the latest Mac operating systems including macOS 10.15 Catalina, 10.14 Mojave and 10.13 High Sierra. This software will completely scan your hard drive, recycle bin or any other locations for deleted files, then allow you to preview before recovery. Besides, it makes use of a unique data recovery algorithm to ensure a high recovery rate.

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How to Recover Lost Zip Files using AnyRecover

1. After launching the AnyRecover software on your Mac, choose a location you want to restore data from, then click Start.

anyrecover interface

2. AnyRecover software will give the selected location a deep scan, and the progress bar and real-time scanning results will be displayed on the interface for you to check the results easily. Besides, you can click on Pause or Stop on the top right corner to halt the scanning process.

preview the files

3. Upon completing the scanning, double-clicking on the file you want to preview. Then you can click Recover if the file you previewed is the one you need.

recover data

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It is as simple as that. You don’t have to fidget over lost files anymore.

Part 3. FAQ: Know More about Mac Archive Utility

Still not clear about some concepts on Mac Archive Utility? Find more answers to questions frequently asked by users.

1. What is Archive Utility?

Archive Utility is a built-in small App for Apple macOS that is used to create and decompress zip files.

2. How do I Zip and Unzip files with Archive

To expand files from a zip archive, normally you don’t need to manually open the program, just double click the .zip file on your Mac, the file will be decompressed automatically by Archive Utility.

To zip files or photos, Ctrl-click or right-click all the files you want to compress, select the Compress option from the pop-up menu. The files will be automatically compressed in a .zip extension and will be seen in the same folder location as the original files.

3. What causes Archive Utility Error 1 on Mac?

Different factors can be responsible for Archive utility error 1. here are the most common amongst them.

Network connection: Instability of your network while extracting the zip file can cause the Error to show up. Also, if you close your browser before the file has finished downloading, it can result in this error as well.
Very Large file: Trying to compress very large files can result in zip file Error 1 because the necessaary resources to support the file being unzipped are not available.
No permissions: If the “Sharing & permission” section on Mac is not set to read & write or read-only, it causes the unzip Error 1.

Conclusion

As a macOS user, zipping your files can be easy for transferring files fast, but it comes with challenges. The most common being Archive utility Error 1-Operation not permitted. There are several methods to handle this error, as we have mentioned in this article. But in a case where you lose the zip file, AnyRecover for Mac is the best recovery software to help you recover that lost file from hard drive, memory card or other storage devices, there is always a peace of mind with AnyRecover.

James Crawford

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