Simple Guide to Compressing and Decompressing Files on Android

Compressing multiple files at once is an excellent way to optimize storage space and keep your documents organized in one package. Although this task has historically been done mainly on computers, today mobile devices with Android have this functionality available easily. The Google Files app, which usually comes pre-installed on most Android phones, allows you to compress and decompress files without the need for additional apps and at no cost.

To compress files using the Google Files app, follow this simple procedure:

1. Open the Google Files app on your device.
2. Find and select the files or folders you want to compress.
3. Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner to access the menu and select the "Compress" option.
4. Enter a name for the ZIP file, avoiding spaces and special characters.
5. Press "Compress," and the ZIP file will be generated in the same location as the original files. If you don't find it there, you can look for it in the "Files by Google" > "Compressed files" folder.

Once you have the compressed file, you have the option to easily share it via email, WhatsApp, or any other app. If you no longer need the original files, you can delete them to free up space on your device.

In case you receive a ZIP file and need to access its contents, the process to decompress it is equally simple:

1. Open the Google Files app.
2. Find the ZIP file you want to extract; you can use the search bar to make identification easier.
3. Select the file and choose the "Extract" option.
4. Wait a moment for the files to decompress.
5. If you no longer need the ZIP file after extraction, you can check the option "Delete ZIP file" and tap "Done."

It is important to note that the Google Files app only supports files in .zip format. If you need to open files in other formats such as RAR, you will need to resort to additional apps that you can download from the Play Store, such as RAR or ZArchiver.

Compressing files on Android is useful for saving storage, facilitating the sending of multiple documents across different platforms, and keeping everything organized on your device. With these accessible steps, you can now manage your files effectively on Android.