Product reference
Supported formats & limitations.
This is the definitive capability list for 7zen 1.1, the current public App Store version.
| Format | Extensions | Open & extract | Password support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Zip | .7z | Yes | Not encrypted 7z |
| RAR | .rar | Yes | Yes |
| ZIP | .zip | Yes | Not encrypted ZIP |
| Compressed TAR | .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz2, .tbz2, .tar.xz, .txz | Yes | Not applicable |
| TAR | .tar | Yes | Not applicable |
| Single-file compression | .gz, .bz2, .xz, .lz4 | Yes | Not applicable |
What “supported” includes
- Open an archive from Files, Mail, Safari downloads, AirDrop, or 7zen’s file browser.
- List file names, sizes, and dates before extraction.
- Extract everything or select an individual file.
- Preview files that iOS Quick Look can display, including common images, PDFs, and text.
- Generate inline thumbnails for supported images.
- Save or share extracted files using the standard system share sheet.
Known limitations
- Encrypted 7z and ZIP: the current public version does not open them.
- Creating archives: 7zen extracts archives but does not create, compress, or edit them.
- Preview availability: archive contents can be extracted even when iOS cannot preview a particular file type.
- Damaged downloads: incomplete or corrupt archives may list incorrectly or fail to extract.
- Storage: extraction needs enough free space for the uncompressed files.
Privacy applies to every format. 7zen has no networking code. File names, contents, passwords, and usage stay on the device.
Frequently asked questions
Can 7zen create archive files?
No. 7zen reads, previews, and extracts existing archives. It does not create or compress archives.
Does 7zen open password-protected archives?
The current App Store version supports password-protected RAR archives. It does not currently open encrypted 7z or encrypted ZIP archives.
Does 7zen upload archive files?
No. 7zen has no network access. Archive listing, preview, and extraction happen on the device.