Productivity

Unfold

Quick Look previews for 250+ unsupported Mac file types

Last verified October 2026 3 min read

What is Unfold?

Unfold product thumbnail

Unfold is a Mac utility for people who regularly inspect files that Finder cannot preview on its own. Press Space in Finder and it renders more than 250 file types inside Quick Look, including folders, archives, source code, Markdown, LaTeX, ebooks, comics, subtitles, torrents, and app bundles. It requires macOS 15.6 or later and is sold as a direct download or through the Mac App Store.

Why Unfold works

Opening a full editor, archive tool, or specialist app just to check one file turns a two second inspection into unnecessary context switching. Unfold adds those missing formats directly to Quick Look, so pressing Space can reveal the contents, structure, or rendered result without launching another app. It brings the file into Finder instead of sending the user out of Finder.

Unfold features

  • 250+ file type previews. Preview formats macOS does not normally handle in Quick Look, spanning folders, archives, code, ebooks, comics, subtitles, torrents, and many text formats.
  • Archive inspection without unpacking. Look inside formats such as RAR, 7z, ZIP, TAR, and compressed TAR variants without extracting the archive first.
  • Rich code and document rendering. Source code gets readable previews, LaTeX renders equations, and Markdown can show diagrams, math, and heading navigation.
  • Folder and file inspection. Folder previews calculate the size of their contents, while app bundles, torrents, subtitles, web archives, ebooks, and comics get dedicated previews.
  • Per category controls. Users can turn preview categories off when they do not want Unfold handling a particular group of files.
  • Local file previews. File contents and preview history stay on the Mac rather than being uploaded or collected.

Who Unfold is for

  • Mac developers who inspect source files, configuration files, Markdown, LaTeX, and archives from Finder before deciding whether to open an editor.
  • Designers and other Mac users who receive unfamiliar archives or file formats and want to inspect their contents without hunting for a dedicated app.
  • Researchers and technical writers working with Markdown, LaTeX, ebooks, tabular data, and text formats who want a readable preview directly from Finder.
  • Mac power users who rely on Quick Look and want it to cover more file types without maintaining separate preview tools for each format.

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Frequently asked

Unfold FAQ

How much does Unfold cost?−
The direct purchase is $10. The standalone version starts with a 7 day free trial, while the Mac App Store version does not include a trial.
Which macOS versions does it support?−
Unfold requires macOS 15.6 Sequoia or later.
How many Macs can use one license?−
A direct download license covers up to five devices. Mac App Store purchases use Apple's licensing and are tied to the buyer's Apple ID.
Does Unfold upload files for previews?−
No. File contents and preview history are not uploaded or collected. The direct download uses device and license information for trials and activated Macs.
Why does Unfold not preview every file format?−
Some formats are left to macOS because Quick Look already supports them natively. Unfold focuses on formats that macOS does not preview itself.
Can individual preview types be disabled?−
Yes. Preview categories can be turned off so Unfold only handles the formats the user wants it to.