How to Open a TAR File on Chromebook
A .tar file bundles many files into one without compressing them. Drop it below to see what's inside and save any file – right on your Chromebook, without installing anything.
Drop a .zip, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar or .gz file here
Nothing is uploaded · RAR and 7z aren't supported
Opened on your device. Your archive never leaves your browser.
Step by step: Open a TAR File on Chromebook
- 1
Open this page in Chrome on your Chromebook.
- 2
Click the box above and choose the file from the Files app (My files, Downloads or Google Drive), or drag it in.
- 3
Every file inside is listed, with the total size.
- 4
Download all the files (or, in Chrome and Edge on a computer, save them straight into a folder). Click Download. The file is saved to My files › Downloads.
What you can do with the contents
- See what's inside before saving anything, then save every file in one go.
- Folders inside the archive are kept, so files stay organised.
About TAR files
- A .tar file bundles many files into one without compressing them. It's common on Linux and macOS but awkward to open on phones and older Windows PCs.
Tips for Chromebook
- School and work Chromebooks often block installing apps and extensions. This tool needs neither – it runs in an ordinary Chrome tab.
- Once the page has loaded, the conversion itself needs no internet connection.
Frequently asked questions
Is a .tar file safe to open?
Extracting an archive is safe in itself – nothing inside runs. Be careful with programs (.exe, .sh, .app) you then choose to open, as with any download.
Is there a size limit?
No fixed limit. Archives of hundreds of megabytes work on most computers; phones may struggle with very large ones because everything happens in memory.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser using your device's own processor, so your files never leave your device. You can even disconnect from the internet once the page has loaded.
Where does the converted file go on my Chromebook?
Click Download. The file is saved to My files › Downloads.
Need more options? Open the full Extract TAR.GZ tool →