Open Zip Files on an iPad For Cricut Design Space

Abbi's hands hold an iPad with the text "Teaching is a work of heart." Learn how to open zi files on an iPad and upload SVG files in Cricut Design Space.

There is so much to learn in the world of Cricut. One of the things I love most about the Design Space software is its ability to use it with various devices, like an iPad. But mobile devices can sometimes be tricky when it comes to opening zip files to extract the SVG cut file for Design Space. When we purchase from various designers, perhaps off Etsy, the files often come as zip downloads.

In today’s post, I am going to teach you how to open zip files on an iPad or iPhone and how to upload the SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space.

Some of us may wonder why the files have to be zips at all? The reason is that many sites do not allow multiple files to be uploaded. Therefore the creators have to place the many files into a zip format to transfer them to you. Furthermore, zip files are a way to compress a larger file into a smaller one. Often storage systems have a limit on the file sizes you can upload and this is another way creators are able to ensure you receive all you need in the SVG download!

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Abbi's hands click on a white iPad. Vinyl rolls and a red Cricut machine are seen in the background along with other craft supplies. The text above the photo reads "How to unzip and upload SVG files on an iPad for Cricut Design Space."

How to Open Zip Files on an iPad or iPhone

Mobile devices do not have what is called, decompression software built into them like computers do. To open zip files on an iPad you will need to download a third-party app. I have tested several and I am sharing the very best option below.

iPad and iPhone Decompression App

Let’s look at a step-by-step tutorial using an app for IOS devices.

iZip – I’ve used this app to unzip many different size files and it works effortlessly. Here is a step-by-step process below.

Step 1 – Download iZip on your device

Go to the app store and search iZip. Download the app to your device.

A screenshot of Apple's app store where you can download iZip to use on your iPad.

Step 2 – Open the app

Once the app is downloaded, open it and choose the location on your device you wish to browse to find your downloaded zip file. You can search your iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

A screenshot of the iZip menu of where to search for zip files on your device. The background is royal blue and the menu is white.

Since iZip lays out all the locations of file storage on your device as soon as you open the app, it makes it very user friendly and helps eliminate extra steps other apps often require.

Step 3 – Click on the zip file you need to extract

In my screenshot below I am going unzip my Eden Rose flower templates. You will easily recognize zip files by the yellow folder with the tag “zip” at the end.

The iZip menu shows the zip file for the Eden Rose flower template. Select your zip file to open on your iPad or other device.

Step 4 – View the Files

The app will confirm you wish to extract the files and view them. Now that the files are unzipped you can see all the individual formats – PDF and SVG cut files. You will need to use the SVG cut files for Cricut Design Space. PDF printables are NOT compatible.

A screenshot of the app iZip showing the files in the Eden Rose zip file. You can learn how to unzip and upload these files in to Cricut Design Space.

While in the app you can click on and preview any file. Below you can see my Eden rose petal SVG preview. Opening the SVG in Design Space is required before you can edit it though. Let’s do that next.

The iZip app allows you to preview any file, as this screenshot shows the iZip menu in the background of a white window with a pink petal template in full view.

How to Upload SVG Cut Files Using an iPad or iPhone to Cricut Design Space

Abbi's hands hold an iPad in front of a red Cricut machine close up. The text on the iPad says "How to upload an SVG file to Cricut Design Space on an iPad or iPhone."

Let’s look at how to upload our own SVG files now. This would also apply if you wanted to upload a JPEG or PNG image for a Print Then Cut project.

If you are new to Cricut and are wondering what the difference between an SVG and Print Then Cut is, read this post here. Maybe you are a more seasoned Cricuteer like myself and are ready to learn some fancier tricks – check out this crash course here on converting any image to an SVG for Cricut Design Space.

Step 1

Start by opening Design Space and click on the Upload button at the bottom then select Browse Files.

The open Cricut Design Space Canvas, with an action menu open. The lime green menu text reads "take a photo, select from photo library, browse files, and open uploaded images."

Step 2

Navigate to where you have stored your files – iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Another view of Cricut Design Space with an open menu from which you can choose which files you want to upload.

Step 3

Click on the SVG file and Design Space will ask you to name your file. Then click Save.

A screenshot of an open Design Space window with a file preview of a large pink Eden Rose petal. The keyboard below on the iPad indicates the program needs to name the open file.

Step 4

The file will appear under Uploaded images. Click the image you wish to bring into Design Space so it’s highlighted in green. Then select the Insert button at the bottom right-hand side.

A grid of files on an iPad include a pink Eden Rose petal, a fox and deer mask, and various leave designs. The import button is in the lower right-hand corner.

The SVG file will now appear on the Design Space canvas! Congrats you have opened a zip file on your IOS device and uploaded the SVG file!

The once empty Cricut Design Space canvas now has a large pink petal template in it, having been uploaded and inserted from a zipped file.

Where to Find SVG Cut Files

Many of you probably read this post with an SVG in hand ready to use. But if you are looking for more SVG craft images be sure to check out my Freebie Vault with hundreds of goodies inside!

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The graphic middle grid text reads "Cricut Design Space - How to unzip and upload SVG cut files on IOS devices." Above is a close up of an open Cricut machine. The picture below is Abbi's hands clicking on a whale template on her iPhone.

3 Comments

Tina says:

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This was a life-saver! Thank you!

Maria Baeza says:

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Hey, after reading this blog, i downloaded Download iZip App on my iPhone. And these description helped me to solve my issues for open zip files. Really this blog is workable for me. Great job and keep sharing!

1. Abbi says:
  
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  So happy this helped you! 🙂

How to Open Zip Files on an iPad and Upload SVG files in Cricut Design Space