How to Download and Open LEGO MOC Building Instructions on Any Device

Every Bobby Brix building instructions download (free or premium) arrives as a ZIP folder containing your PDF guide and parts list files. If you've never worked with a ZIP file before, or you're downloading on a device you don't normally use for this kind of thing, this guide walks you through the full process on every major platform: Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

What's Inside Your Download

When you purchase or download a Bobby Brix building instruction (whether it's a free LEGO MOC from the store or a premium set with a parts list), you receive a single ZIP file. A ZIP file is a compressed folder that bundles multiple files together into one download to make it faster and easier to transfer. Before you can use the files inside, you need to unzip (or extract) the folder.

Once you've unzipped the folder, you can open each file directly on your device or transfer it to wherever you prefer to store your instructions. For a full guide on how to use the XML and CSV parts list files to order bricks, see the Bobby Brix guide to buying LEGO parts using XML and CSV files.

Windows PC

Windows has built-in ZIP support, so no additional software is required.

HOW-TO UNZIP A FOLDER IN WINDOWS 10/11:

1. Click the download link in your order confirmation email or on the store page. Your browser will download the ZIP file to your Downloads folder or prompt you to choose the final download destination.
2. Open File Explorer (the folder icon in your taskbar) and navigate to Downloads.
3. You'll see the ZIP file with a zipper icon on the folder. Right-click on it.
4. Select Extract All... from the menu that appears.
5. A window will ask where you want to extract the files. The default location (a new folder in Downloads with the same name as the ZIP) is fine. Click Extract.
6. The extracted folder opens automatically. Inside you'll find your PDF, XML, and CSV files ready to use.

Mac (macOS)

macOS unzips files automatically with a single double-click, no extra steps needed.

1. Click the download link. Safari will download the ZIP to your Downloads folder and in most cases unzip it automatically. If it doesn't, proceed to step 2.
2. Open Finder and go to your Downloads folder.
3. Double-click the ZIP file. macOS will extract it into a new folder in the same location.
4. Open the extracted folder. Your PDF, XML, and CSV files are inside, ready to use.

If you use Chrome or Firefox instead of Safari, the ZIP will download to your Downloads folder without auto-extracting, just double-click it in Finder to unzip.

iPhone & iPad (iOS / iPadOS)

iPhones and iPads handle ZIP files natively through the Files app since iOS 13 (no third-party app required).

1. Tap the download link in your email or in Safari. A download progress indicator will appear at the top right of Safari.
2. When the download completes, tap the Downloads icon (the arrow pointing down) in the top-right corner of Safari.
3. Tap the ZIP file in the downloads list. The Files app will open and automatically extract the contents into a new folder.
4. The extracted folder appears in Files → Downloads. Tap it to see your PDF, XML, and CSV files.
5. Tap the PDF to open it directly in your browser or in the Files app. To open it in a dedicated PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat or Apple Books, tap and hold the file, then tap Share → Open in... and choose your preferred app.

Android

Android handles ZIP files slightly differently depending on your phone brand and Android version, but the process is straightforward on all modern devices.

1. Tap the download link. Your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet) will download the ZIP file. A notification will appear when it's complete.
2. Tap the notification, or open your device's Files app (sometimes called My Files on Samsung, or File Manager on other brands).
3. Navigate to Downloads (you'll see the ZIP file listed there).
4. Tap the ZIP file. Most Android devices will show an Extract option or open a prompt asking where to extract the files. Confirm the extraction to the same Downloads folder.
5. A new folder with the same name as the ZIP will appear. Open it to find your PDF, XML, and CSV files.
6. Tap the PDF to open it. If your device doesn't have a PDF reader installed, Google Play has many free options: Adobe Acrobat Reader and Google PDF Viewer are both reliable choices.

If tapping the ZIP file doesn't offer an Extract option, your device may need a file manager app with ZIP support. ZArchiver and RAR are both free on Google Play and handle ZIP files reliably on all Android versions.

Android Tablet & Samsung

The process on Android tablets and Samsung Galaxy devices is identical to the Android phone steps above, with one additional convenience on Samsung devices: Samsung's My Files app has built-in ZIP extraction that works particularly cleanly. Simply tap the ZIP in My Files, tap Extract, confirm the destination, and the folder appears immediately alongside the original ZIP.

On larger Android tablets, the additional screen space makes reading LEGO building instructions significantly more comfortable. Consider saving the PDF to Google Drive or a local folder for offline access during your build. LEGO instructions are large files with many detailed images and benefit from being stored locally rather than opened from a browser tab each time.

What to Do With the Files Once Unzipped

Once you have your three files extracted, here's the quickest path to getting started on each one:

For a full step-by-step walkthrough of uploading the XML and CSV files to BrickLink, Brick Owl, LEGO Pick a Brick, and Brickwith — including screenshots and tips for each platform — see the Bobby Brix guide to buying LEGO parts using XML and CSV files.

Can't Find Your Download?

If you purchased a product and can't locate the download link, check the following in order: your spam or junk folder for the order confirmation email from Shopify; your browser's download history (in Chrome, press Ctrl+J on Windows or Cmd+J on Mac); and the Downloads folder on your device, which is where all browsers save files by default.

If you still can't access your files, contact Bobby Brix directly through the store's contact page with your order number and the download will be resent. Digital products are always available to re-download from your order confirmation and they don't expire.