Fix issues with Archive/Unarchive Tool on macOS Catalina and later

Symptoms

I try to use the Archive/Unarchive tools on macOS 10.15 and later to archive/unarchive some data but on every attempt to use the Archive utility it fails with the 'Something happened' alert and with the 'Unarchive error. Unarchiving of <name> finished with errors' alert for the Unarchive utility:

Cause

The required permissions aren't granted for the tools in macOS System Preferences.

Resolution

Fix the issue using Terminal:

1. Quit from Archive/Unarchive tool.

2. Open Terminal (Finder → Applications → Utilities → Terminal) and execute the command below:

For Archive tool

For Unarchive tool

3. Start the tool. Try archiving (or unarchiving) the same files again.

4. macOS will prompt you to provide the file access. Give permission.

Fix the issue using System Preferences:

1. Quit from Archive/Unarchive tool.

2. Open System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Files and Folders.

3. Set checkboxes for Archive/Unarchive tools:

4. Try archiving/unarchiving again.