How to Open RAR5 Files on Android

RAR5 is the archive format introduced in WinRAR 5.0 (2013). It uses improved compression and a redesigned archive header. Although RAR5 files have the same .rar extension as older RAR4 archives, the internal format is different. Many older extractors that handle RAR4 fail on RAR5. AnExplorer supports both RAR4 and RAR5 natively.

Quick Answer

Open AnExplorer → navigate to the .rar file → tap it. If it's RAR5, AnExplorer opens it correctly. No different steps from a regular RAR file.

How to Tell If It's RAR5 vs RAR4

You can't tell from the file extension alone (both use .rar). The difference is internal. To check:

1. In AnExplorer, tap and hold the .rar file → Properties or Info
2. If AnExplorer shows “RAR5” format — it's a RAR5 archive
3. Or: open it — if it opens correctly, AnExplorer supports it regardless of version

What Changed in RAR5

Extract a RAR5 Archive

1. Navigate to the .rar file in AnExplorer
2. Long-press → Extract
3. Choose destination folder
4. Tap OK — AnExplorer automatically detects RAR5 format and extracts correctly

Password-Protected RAR5 Archives

RAR5 uses AES-256 encryption. If the archive is password protected:

1. Tap the .rar file
2. Password prompt appears — enter the password
3. If name encryption is enabled: the file list appears empty until you enter the password
4. Enter password → file list appears → extract normally

Note: RAR5 passwords are case-sensitive. Password and password are different.

Multi-Part RAR5 Archives

Large RAR5 archives split across multiple volumes: archive.part1.rar, archive.part2.rar:

1. Download all parts to the same folder
2. Tap archive.part1.rar in AnExplorer
3. AnExplorer reads subsequent volumes automatically
4. Extract — all parts are combined and extracted together

Compatibility Note

RARLab's own apps (WinRAR, RAR for Android) fully support RAR5. AnExplorer uses libarchive under the hood which includes RAR5 support. Most other archive apps on Android either don't support RAR5 at all, or require a paid upgrade.

If you receive a .rar file that another app fails to open, try AnExplorer — it's often a RAR5 archive that the other app doesn't support.

Troubleshooting

"Unknown archive format" for a .rar file

This happens in apps that only support RAR4. Use AnExplorer instead, which handles both versions.

Extraction fails at X%

• A multi-part archive may have a missing volume — check all .part*.rar files are downloaded
• Or the archive is corrupted — re-download from source

Related Guides

• Open RAR Files — general RAR guide including multi-part
• Open 7Z Files — 7-Zip open-source alternative
• Open ZIP Files — ZIP archive guide