Many of our resources come as ZIP files because they include multiple activities all in one convenient download. The good news is that most modern Windows and Mac computers can open ZIP files without any extra software. Simply clicking on the downloaded file should open it. But if you run into any issues, here’s what to do.
How to open ZIP files on a computer or laptop
You can easily extract the resources from a ZIP file by following these steps:
- Right-click the "Download" button under the resource image and select "Save Link As...".
- Save the file to your device.
- Find the downloaded ZIP file on your computer.
- Right-click on it.
- Click "Extract All..." from the menu.
- Follow the on-screen steps to choose a folder to extract the contents.
- Once extracted, your resources will be ready to open and print.
If the ZIP file still won’t open, try this:
- Double-click the ZIP file to open it.
- Highlight the files you want to use.
- Right-click and select "Copy".
- Go to your desktop or "Documents" folder.
- Right-click in a blank space and select "Paste".
How to open ZIP files using a phone or tablet device
ZIP files downloaded through the Twinkl app will usually open automatically when you tap on them, letting you access everything inside.
Some of our more advanced resources (like Flipcharts) are designed for use on standard PCs or require specific software. These may not open properly on phones or tablets without that software.
If you're using a mobile web browser, you’ll find your ZIP file in the "Downloads" section of your "Files" or "Folders" app. Just tap the ZIP file and your device should extract it, creating a folder with everything you need.
Getting an error message?
If you see a message saying the filename is too long, try extracting the ZIP file using the steps above. You can then rename the file to something shorter before opening it.
If your browser is downloading ZIP files to a restricted folder on your home or work computer, you might see errors like "Destination file cannot be created". To fix this, move the ZIP file to your "Desktop" or "My Documents" folder before unzipping it. Or, open the ZIP file, copy the contents, and paste them into one of those folders.
Need more help?
Reach out anytime to TwinklCares and they'll be happy to help.