Need help using the Zamzar desktop app to convert your files on your Mac? We've got plenty of helpful information below - just click on one of the questions to see our answer.

If you can't find the answer you need, then please contact our support team, who will be happy to help.

Getting started with the Zamzar desktop app

  • How do I install the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. First, go to the Zamzar desktop app page and click the green Download for Mac button: Download App Screenshot
    2. In the window that opens, click Agree and Download: Agree & Download Screenshot
    3. A PKG file will begin downloading. Once it has completed downloading, click on the downloaded PKG file: Open PKG Screenshot
    4. In the installer window that opens, click Continue to proceed: Install App Screenshot
    5. Then click Install to start installing the app: Install App Screenshot
    6. If you are asked to enter you password to allow the install, click Use Password and then enter the password for your computer: Install App Screenshot
    7. The window will then show you the stages of the app install: Install App Screenshot
    8. Once the app install is complete and the window shows 'The installation was successful', click Close: Install App Screenshot
    9. A window will open showing you how to convert a file with the app. Once you've read the instructions, click Got it! Install App Screenshot
    10. The Zamzar icon will then appear in your top menu bar, as shown, and the app will open: Install App Screenshot

    Now that you have installed the Zamzar desktop app, you are ready to begin converting files. Take a look at our instructions for converting a file.

  • How do I open the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on Finder.
    2. Click on the Applications folder.
    3. Scroll down to find the Zamzar app and double-click on it.
    Launch App Screenshot

    The Zamzar desktop app icon will appear in the top menu bar, showing that the app is now open:

    App Icon in Menu Bar Screenshot
  • How do I convert a file with the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Locate the file you want to convert.
    2. Right-click on the file.
    3. Hover over 'Convert to...' to reveal the drop-down list of formats you can convert that file type to.
    4. Click on the format you want to convert to.
    How to convert screenshot

    The first time you convert a file from a particular folder, you may get a message saying, 'Zamzar would like to access files in your Desktop folder' or other folder name. Simply click OK:

    Right-click Screenshot

    A new file will appear in the folder showing a converting icon and with the filename ending in .converting:

    File converting screenshot

    Once the file has been converted, the converting icon will be replaced by the icon for the file type you have converted your file to, and the new file will have a filename ending in the new file format:

    Conversion completed screenshot

File and account management for the Zamzar desktop app

  • How do I convert multiple files with the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Locate and select all the files you want to convert.
    2. Right-click on the group of files.
    3. Hover over 'Convert to...' to reveal the drop-down list of formats you can convert that group of files to. You will only be able to choose from formats that all the selected files can be converted to.
    4. Click on the format you want to convert the files to. You will need to convert them all to the same single format.
    How to convert multiple files screenshot

    The first time you convert a file from a particular folder, you may get a message saying, 'Zamzar would like to access files in your Desktop folder' or other folder name. Simply click OK:

    Right-click Screenshot

    The new files will appear in the folder showing a converting icon and with their filenames ending in .converting:

    Multiple files converting screenshot

    Once each file has been converted, the converting icon will be replaced by the icon for the file type you have converted that file to, and the new file will have a filename ending in the new file format:

    Conversion completed screenshot
  • How do I check the progress of a file conversion in the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar: App icon screenshot
    2. If you have converted several files, scroll to find the file you are looking for. You will see a status that is one of the following:
      • Starting: the original file is about to be uploaded for conversion.
      • Uploading (X%): the original file is uploading to Zamzar and this is the percentage of the file that has been uploaded so far.
      • Converting: the file is being converted.
      • Hang in there - we are still converting: the file is still being converted.
      • Downloading (X%): the converted file is downloading to your computer and this is the percentage of the file that has been downloaded so far.
      • Downloaded: the converted file has completed downloading to your computer.
      • Queuing: the file will be uploaded when your other file conversions have completed.
      • Failed: the file has failed to convert successfully on this occasion.
      Conversion progress screenshot
  • How do I check how many conversions I have remaining in the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. In the app window that opens, you will see how many conversions you have remaining in the blue bar at the top of the window. If you don't have a paid Zamzar account, this number will be the total number of free conversions you have access to. If you do have a paid Zamzar account and are logged in to your account in the app, this number will be how many conversions you have remaining that day. Conversions remaining screenshot

    If you haven’t yet converted any files (or have cleared your conversion history in the app), the message will read, 'Right-click a file to start converting':

    Conversions remaining screenshot
  • How do I log in to my Zamzar account in the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the Log in now link: Log in screenshot
    3. In the window that opens, enter the email address and password for your Zamzar account and click Log In: Login window screenshot

    Now when you click on the app icon in your computer’s top menu bar, you will see your email address and the name of the plan you are signed up to at the top of the app window:

    Logged in screenshot
  • How do I sign up for a paid account through the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the three dots menu icon: Open menu screenshot
    3. Click on Sign Up for Account: Sign up link screenshot
    4. You will be taken to the Pricing page on the Zamzar website. On this page, select the plan you would like to sign up for.
    5. On the signup page, complete the short, secure form to sign up.
    6. Once your account has been created, you will be able to log in to your account in the desktop app using the Log in now link: Log in screenshot
  • How do I reset my password for my Zamzar account in the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the Log in now link: Log in screenshot
    3. In the window that opens, click on the Forgotten your password? link: Password reset screenshot
    4. You will be taken to the Reset Your Password page on the Zamzar website. On this page, enter the email address for your Zamzar account in the Email Address field and click the Reset Password button.
    5. Go to your email account and look for an email from Zamzar with the subject ‘Your Zamzar Password’. Click on the link provided in the email.
    6. You will be taken to a new Reset Your Password page on the Zamzar website. Enter a new password in the New Password and Confirm Password fields, and click the Reset Password button. Your password will now be set as the new password you have entered.
  • How do I upgrade my account through the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the three dots menu icon: Open menu screenshot
    3. Click on Upgrade Account: Upgrade account screenshot
    4. You will be taken to the Zamzar website, where you will first need to log in to your account.
    5. You will then be taken to the Pricing page, where you will be able to select the plan you would like to upgrade to.
    6. In the pop-up window, click ‘OK’ to confirm the upgrade. Your account will then be upgraded.
  • How do I log out of my Zamzar account in the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the three dots menu icon: Open menu screenshot
    3. Click on Log Out: Log out screenshot
  • How do I clear my list of conversions from the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then you will need to open the app first). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the three dots menu icon: Open menu screenshot
    3. Click on Clear History: Clear history screenshot
    4. In the pop-up window that opens, click OK: Clear history confirmation screenshot

    This will remove completed items from the list, but will not cancel ongoing conversions, delete files from your computer, or (if you have a paid account) delete files from your Zamzar account.

  • How do I quit or close the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Click on the Zamzar desktop app icon in your computer’s top menu bar. (If the icon isn't present then it means the app is already closed). App icon screenshot
    2. Click on the three dots menu icon: Open menu screenshot
    3. Click on Quit: Log out screenshot
  • How do I uninstall the Zamzar desktop app?

    1. Quit the app so that it is no longer open.
    2. Click on Finder.
    3. Click on the Applications folder.
    4. Click on Finder.
    5. Scroll down to find the Zamzar app and right-click on it.
    6. Click on Move to Bin. Log out screenshot