Have you ever spent hours browsing web pages on how to zip a file? Or maybe the reverse was your situation and you had to ask about how to unzip files on Android? You are not the first to be tangled in the web of Android file compression dynamics and you will not be the last.
Fundamentally, file compression is a process that enables you to reduce the size of your digital file. The process entails a re-coding and re-encryption of the data that make up that file. As such, the different patterns of the tiny bytes are analyzed and replaced with smaller and unique bytes.
If you ever succeeded in file compression, you know that the reduction process does not require much from you. As long as you have software that can do it, and there are many of these software applications, you don’t need a manual on file compression to get it to reduce a file for you.
It just so happens that the subject of this article is the use of software applications for file compression. We can tell you categorically that file compression is more than just reducing a file since you want to send the zipped file majority of the time. So, we have constructed this article to provide answers on how to send a zip file or how to extract a zip file.
How Does File Compression Work?
As we have earlier noted, file compression is a process of data reduction that entails the encoding of the bits and bytes of the file you want to compress. Although we covered the basics of the file compression process, that explanation is really just a simplification; it does not touch on the meat of the matter.
When explaining file compression, we must mention the two compression types: lossy and lossless. The names are somewhat weird but they convey the general idea. Lossy compression means that the bit-rate reduction process results in a loss of important data in the file compression process. Lossless compression, on the other hand, refers to the compression process that allows you to retain the most vital aspects of that file.
Typically, both file compression systems require an encoder. The encoder is really just a digital device that is capable of copying the characteristics of the data bits and expressing them in equivalent code that takes up significantly less space.
In the case of lossy compression, the encoding process removes what it considers unnecessary information, so it is not a perfect compression type. However, the lossless compression process is a newer approach where no vital information is lost during the bit-reduction process.
So, file compression works like this: when you initiate a file compression process on your Android smartphone using software, the software scans the file and copies its information. Next, it replicates tit in tinier bit-styled formats and packages it in a format different from the original.
Some of the most popular compression file formats are ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, and BZIP2. There are also compression formats for images (JPEG) and audio (FLAC). Nevertheless, each of these archive formats has its strong and weak points. However, the most popular one is ZIP and it is a lossless compression format.
Why Compress Files?
But why do we compress files? What are the benefits of file compression and why are there so many software applications on Android for file compression?
1. File compression helps you reduce the size(s) of your file(s)
The most common reason the majority of Android smartphone users compress their files is file size reduction. Generally, whenever you compress a file or folder, you stand a chance of reducing its size by 50 percent or more. To an Android user whose smartphone only has around 32 GB or 64 GB ROM, this is a big deal.
Of course, the rate of reduction for file compression depends on a lot of factors. These include the format and context of the file/folder you intend to compress, the archive format you intend to compress into, and the software application enabling you to carry out the compression.
Even so, file compression always helps you reduce the size of a file/folder. Even if the reduction is only marginal compared to the original, this is still a reduction.
2. File compression saves file transfer time
The second reason Android smartphone users like yourself compress files is that they want to save file transfer time.
As you probably know, sending stuff over the internet, especially via email or Messenger apps, requires an internet connection. It is a speedy process because it is the internet, but several things can drag it down. File size is one of them.
So, whenever you encrypt a file or folder before sending it online, you essentially reduce the amount of time that is ordinarily required to scan and send the file or folder. So, file compression saves you time because the new file size is smaller.
Furthermore, file compression helps you keep the content of your file/folder inside an archive package. This means that as long as your files are compressed, the file sender assesses the archived package as a single entity and therefore takes less time scanning and sending it.
3. File compression facilitates data security and privacy
For some Android users, the aim of file compression is not to reduce file size or save transfer time. Instead, it is to ensure that the files they are sending are safe from any sort of hacking.
In 2021, it was a surprise to everyone that the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) was hacked and its email account was used to send emails out to people. If hackers can shake even the bureau specialized in hunting for them, it is unlikely that you will be able to protect your stuff from hacking without outside help.
File compression, therefore, is just one of the ways in which you can easily secure your files. Of course, the effectiveness of this method depends entirely on the software you use, but more on that later.
4. File compression preserves files from malware
Similar to how file compression is a method that Android smartphone users employ against hacks, protection from malware can also be brought into the mix. In other words, by compressing your files, you ought to be able to relax and forget about malware that can infiltrate your device and corrupt vital files and folders.
One of the areas in which file compression has been especially helpful in this area is whenever you need to send files to someone using an external drive. Whether the device you are sending files to is infected or not, it is safe to first compress the files and folders on the external drive before connecting it to the computer.
With Android smartphones allowing USB OTG (on-the-go) connections, using file compression this way saves you from the risks of needless malware removal later on.
Zip Files: The Most Popular Archive Format
We earlier mentioned that ZIP is the most popular archive format out there. Whenever you use file compression software applications, ZIP is usually the first on the list of possible compression formats. This is because of the format’s inherent characteristics as a lossless compression format.
Another reason ZIP is so popular is that it is more accessible compared to other archive formats. It is not only limited to desktop computers and laptops, but also mobile phones. Furthermore, there are precious few (if any at all) file decompression software that cannot compress files to ZIP format or decompress files from ZIP formats.
Moreover, these software options are often available on Google Play Store for free. So, it is not surprising that ZIP is your go-to option for file compression whenever you want to reduce file sizes on your Android smartphone.
Cons and Challenges of Compressing Files on Android Before Saving/Sending Them Online
Note, however, that there are a ton of disadvantages to compressing your files on Android. These disadvantages become even more glaring when you send them through (or save them on) cloud-based storage options or send them to someone else.
We are only going to list 3 problems that you are likely aware of:
- File compression on Android requires third-party software that could take you ages to understand and master.
- The typical file compression process on Android takes a lot of time. This is often regardless of the file size, although there are Android phones that manage to skirt around this problem. Even so, you have to wait for a while before the file is encoded and then compressed.
- The risk of losing important information while compressing files on Android is quite high. So, the average clever Android smartphone user spends a lot of time reading Play Store reviews and deciding which file compressor is perfect or close enough.
FileWhopper: As Perfect a Solution as You Can Get
FileWhopper is one of the most effective solutions to the challenges of file compression out there. With it, you can send your files via email using your Android phone without worrying about the potential loss of information or risks of hacking.
Compared to the software applications and file transfer services that are typical to the Android ecosystem, FileWhopper is a dedicated service. This means that it does not do anything else but help you get files efficiently and securely transferred.
Here are some of the selling points of FileWhopper:
1. Automatic file compression
You don’t need to compress your files before sending them. All you need to do is enter the FileWhopper homepage, upload whatever file or folder you want to send, and that’s all. The file compression process is carried out by the file transfer process, so you don’t need to scratch your head about how best to compress your files/folders and to what format.
2. You can transfer up to 2 GB at a time
One of the biggest limitations of file compression on Android is the limitation that comes with sending large compressed files. As some file transfer services take time to scan your folders, you would have wasted time compressing your files. This is especially true when these services end up fragmenting your files. This isn’t the case with FileWhopper.
FileWhopper helps you transfer up to 2 GB of data at once without having to break them up into fragments. This is one of the biggest pluses of using the service on Android.
3. Files are encrypted with the latest encryption technology
FileWhopper uses a method known as zero-knowledge encryption. This essentially means that the file(s) you transfer using the service remain encrypted until someone enters your self-generated password. Not even FileWhopper can determine what this password is, so that’s another score for security.
4. The service is virtually free
Lastly, FileWhopper is virtually free. Unless what you are sending is over 5 GB in size (which will require you to break it up anyway), you can use FileWhopper without subscribing for any long-term plan.
And that is all you need to know about file compression on Android. Third-party options are the only way out of the challenges of file size and transfer time limitations. But FileWhopper is perfect for resolving these issues.
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