# Open a DICOM ZIP from email, WhatsApp or a download link

> Got your scan as a ZIP by email, WhatsApp or a hospital download link? Open it in your browser without unzipping. Works on computers and phones. Free.

If your scan came as a ZIP, you don't need to unzip it. Save the file, click Open files or a ZIP… and MesDICOM reads the images straight from the archive — on a computer or a phone, free, nothing uploaded.

Open your scans here: https://mesdicom.com/open-dicom-zip/ — or at https://mesdicom.com/

Save the ZIP to your computer or phone, click **Open files or a ZIP…** above and choose it. MesDICOM unpacks it in your browser, keeps the DICOM images and opens your study. Nothing is uploaded.

## How do I open a ZIP from an email or WhatsApp?

1. **Save the attachment.** In your email or WhatsApp, download or save the file first — a browser can only open a file that is on your device.
2. **Open it here.** Click **Open files or a ZIP…** and choose the file, or drag it onto this page.
3. **Choose a study** if the ZIP holds more than one. MesDICOM sorts the images into studies and series.

## What about a hospital download link?

Download the file from the link first. If the hospital's portal asks you to sign in, sign in there. Some portals offer a choice of formats: pick the DICOM images, usually as a ZIP. A portal's own online viewer is separate from the download and isn't needed.

## Which archives open?

| You have | In the browser |
|---|---|
| A ZIP | Opens, without unzipping |
| A self-extracting ZIP or a very large ZIP (ZIP64) | Opens |
| A password-protected ZIP | Unpack it with the password in another app, then choose the folder |
| A ZIP split into several parts | Join the parts or unpack them in another app, then choose the result |
| RAR, 7-Zip or ISO | Not yet: unpack it and choose the folder, or ask for a ZIP |

If a ZIP holds only a viewer program or a report and no images, MesDICOM says so.

## How big can the ZIP be?

Large is fine. MesDICOM reads the archive entry by entry instead of loading all of it into memory. In our tests a whole-disc ZIP of 680 MB opened completely in about half a minute, and the first image showed long before that.

## Is it private?

Yes. The ZIP is unpacked by your browser on your device. Your images, the patient's name and the file names aren't sent to us or to anyone else. What is unpacked for viewing is cleared when you open something else, unless you choose **Save to Library**.

MesDICOM is for viewing and reference only — not intended for diagnosis or treatment decisions.

## Questions

### Do I have to unzip the file first?

No. MesDICOM reads the images straight from the ZIP. Unzipping also works — then choose the folder it makes.

### The ZIP asks for a password. Can MesDICOM open it?

Not in the browser. Unpack it with the password in another app, then choose the folder it makes with **Open a disc or folder…**.

### The hospital sent a RAR, 7-Zip or ISO file. What now?

These can't be opened in the browser yet. Unpack it on your computer and choose the folder it makes, or ask for the study as a ZIP. The MesDICOM apps for iPhone, iPad and Mac open RAR, 7-Zip and ISO directly.

### Can I open the ZIP on my phone?

Yes. Save the attachment to your phone first, then open mesdicom.com and tap **Open files or a ZIP…**.

## Related guides

- [Open a CT or MRI disc](https://mesdicom.com/open-dicom-cd/index.html.md): Got your scan on a CD or DVD from the hospital? Open the DICOM images in your browser on Windows or Mac. No viewer program, no upload, free.
- [DICOMDIR viewer](https://mesdicom.com/dicomdir-viewer/index.html.md): DICOMDIR is a disc's table of contents, not the images. Choose the whole disc or folder and MesDICOM opens the images it lists. Free, in your browser.
- [MRI viewer](https://mesdicom.com/mri-viewer/index.html.md): View your MRI scan online, in your browser. Open the disc, folder or ZIP from the hospital, scroll every series, see three planes and 3D. Free, nothing uploaded.

Updated October 24, 2026. For viewing and reference only — not intended for diagnosis or treatment decisions.