About rar files
RAR is a proprietary archive format created by Eugene Roshal and used by WinRAR. It's known for strong compression, AES-256 encryption, recovery records that can repair minor damage, and multi-volume archives split into parts like .part1.rar, .part2.rar. RAR5 is the current version of the format.
RAR archives are common in gaming communities, older software distributions and large file collections that were split into chunks to fit old upload limits. Creating RARs needs WinRAR, but many tools can extract them.
| Typical size | 10 MB – 50 GB |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .rar, .r00, .part1.rar |
Why sending rar files is often a pain
Big RARs exceed email limits, and multi-part archives are fragile: if one part is missing or corrupted, the whole set won't extract. macOS can't open RAR natively, and older Windows versions need third-party software. Mail filters also tend to treat RAR attachments with suspicion.
How to send rar files with Sendryo
- Open Sendryo on the device that has the rar files. Use any modern browser — Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox or Samsung Internet. Nothing to install.
- Add your rar files. Drag and drop, tap to choose, or pick a whole folder. Add as many files as you like.
- Share the 6-digit code. Tap “Get share code”, then share the code, link or QR code with the receiver.
- The receiver enters the code. Files stream directly to their device, encrypted and at original quality. They save each file or download everything as a ZIP.
Ways to send rar files compared
| Method | Size | Quality | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email attachment | ~20–25 MB | Original | Small files to anyone, anytime |
| Messaging apps | Limited (WhatsApp documents up to 2 GB at the time of writing) | Media often compressed unless sent as a document | Quick sharing with contacts |
| Cloud storage link | Depends on plan | Original | Recipients who download later |
| Sendryo | No limit set by us | Original | Fast, private, live transfers to any device |
Tips for sending rar files
- Send every volume of a multi-part RAR together in one transfer; add them all at once so none is left behind.
- Windows 11 can extract RAR natively in recent updates; on macOS, The Unarchiver or Keka will open it.
- Add a recovery record in WinRAR when creating archives you'll keep long term.
- Share a SHA-256 hash from /tools/checksum/ so the recipient can confirm each part arrived intact.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a multi-part RAR archive?
Select all parts, for example .part1.rar to .part8.rar, and add them on Sendryo in one go, or put them in a folder and send the folder. The recipient saves them to the same directory and opens the first part to extract. Every part must be present and complete.
Can a Mac open RAR files?
Not with the built-in Archive Utility. Free apps like The Unarchiver or Keka can extract RAR on macOS. The file transfers fine either way, since Sendryo accepts any file type; the only question is which app the recipient uses to unpack it.
Should I use RAR, ZIP or 7z?
ZIP is the most compatible and opens everywhere without extra software. 7z often compresses better and is free and open. RAR offers recovery records and is common in some communities. If you're unsure what the recipient has, ZIP is the safest choice.
Is there a size limit for sending rar files?
No limit is set by Sendryo. Because the files go straight to the other device, the only limit is the receiver’s free storage. Very large transfers work best on a computer.