How to open .BZ2 files on Mac

To open .BZ2 files on Mac, download and install The Unarchiver from the App Store.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Download and install The Unarchiver from the App Store.
  2. Open The Unarchiver and select the .bz2 file to extract.

Recommended software

  • Archive Utility
  • Keka
  • The Unarchiver

Alternative methods

  • Open .BZ2 in a browser-based viewer if desktop apps fail.
  • Try opening .BZ2 on Mac with a secondary app to rule out app-specific issues.
  • Convert .BZ2 only with trusted tools when direct opening is not possible.

Common issues

File not opening

The file may not open if the software does not support BZ2 format.

  1. Ensure you are using software that supports BZ2, such as 7-Zip or The Unarchiver.
  2. Try updating the software to the latest version.

Corrupted file

A BZ2 file may be corrupted if it was not downloaded or transferred correctly.

  1. Re-download the file from the original source.
  2. Check the file integrity using checksums if available.

Security note

Always download BZ2 files from trusted sources to avoid malware.

Back to .BZ2 extension page