How To Password Protect a ZIP File On Mac | Easy Guide, by MacSafe on YouTube. 3 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Move the files or folder you want to protect into one folder, such as a folder on your Desktop. This keeps the command short and easy to check.
Open Terminal by pressing Command and Space, typing Terminal, then pressing Return. You can also find it in Applications, Utilities.
Type cd followed by a space, drag your folder into Terminal, and press Return. This moves Terminal into the folder that holds your files.
Type zip -er Archive.zip followed by the file or folder names, separated by spaces, then press Return. The -r part includes folders and their contents.
When Terminal asks for a password, type it and press Return. Type the same password again when asked. Nothing appears on screen as you type.
Wait while Terminal lists the files it adds. When the command prompt returns, look for Archive.zip in the same folder.
Test the archive by double-clicking Archive.zip. Archive Utility should ask for the password before it extracts the files.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a strong password and send it separately from the ZIP file, not in the same email.
Put quotes around file names that contain spaces, or rename them before running the command.
There is no recovery option, so save the password in a password manager and keep the original files until you have tested the archive.
Questions
Can I password protect a ZIP file without Terminal on Mac?
The built-in Archive Utility cannot add a password. You need a third-party archive app or the Terminal command shown here.
Can Windows users open the protected ZIP?
Yes, most ZIP tools on Windows ask for the password and can open it. Share the password separately so they can extract the files.
What happens if I forget the password?
You cannot open or recover the files from that archive. Keep the original files and save the password in a password manager.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
