How to look for downloads on iphone

For years the iPhone’s web browser, Safari, was not capable of downloading files like Safari on the Mac is. When you download a file from a website in Safari on macOS, for example, it is automatically saved to your Mac’s “Downloads” folder.

But for years the iPhone had no such folder – and it was relatively hard to use Safari to download any kind of file – like a ZIP file or an installer. But with the advent of iOS 11, Apple changed all that.

iOS 11 introduced an overhauled Files app. This meant the iOS operating system essentially got a file system as the Mac has had since its inception. Of course, the Files app isn’t a true file system – you can’t find system files or applications in the Files app.

Instead the Files app is specifically for managing documents on your iPhone – whether they are PDFs, images, ZIP files, or anything else. So now in iOS when you save a file on your iPhone from an app like Pages, for example, it will be saved in a dedicated Pages folder in the Files app.

But what about files downloaded from Safari? After all, the Files app has no “Safari” folder. But not to worry – here’s where Safari downloads are on the iPhone.

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Where Do Downloads Go On iPhone? Downloading Files In Safari On iPhone

First before you can find a downloaded file from Safari you need to download one. Here’s how to do it:

1. In Safari navigate to the web page that has the file you want to download. 
2. Tap the download link on the web page.
3. As the file begins downloading, you’ll notice a down arrow in Safari’s menu bar. Click on this arrow to see a list of items you’ve downloaded via Safari.

Once you’ve got some downloaded files you can then find them on your iPhone. Here’s how!

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Where Do Downloads Go On iPhone? Finding Downloaded Files On iPhone

Once you’ve downloaded files in Safari, it’s easy to find them on your iPhone. These steps work for iOS 13, iOS 14, and will work the same in the upcoming iOS 15.

1. After you’ve downloaded a file in Safari, go to your iPhone’s Home Screen.
2. Find and tap on the File app. Its icon is a blue folder on a white background.
3. In the Files app on the Browse screen, tap “iCloud Drive” from the Locations list.
4. On the Files iCloud Drive screen look for the “Downloads” folder. This folder is blue and has an embossed downwards facing arrow with a circle around it. Tap on the Downloads folder when you find it.
5. Inside the Downloads folder, you’ll find all the files that you’ve downloaded from websites in Safari. You can then interact with the downloaded file however you want.

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Where Do Downloads Go On iPhone? Changing Default Download Location

By default Safari downloads will go into the Downloads folder of iCloud Drive, which can be found in the Files app. However, you can change the default location where Safari downloads are stored. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Safari.
3. Tap Downloads.
4. Under the “Store Downloaded Files On” header, tap another default download location from the list. Alternately, tap “Other” and select from any location of folder in the Files app.

And that’s it! You now know how to find items downloaded from websites in Safari in iOS on iPhone. Pretty simple, huh?

And want more tips? Check out how to fax from iPhone! Also, check out how to share your Wi-Fi password with your iPhone!

If you download a file from the internet, for example, you need to know where it is so you can find it again later. On a computer, you would use a file manager like Windows Explorer. On an iPhone, things work slightly differently. 

Here's how to download and find files on your iPhone. 

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How to open files on an iPhone

In general, when you download a file from an app on the iPhone, it's automatically stored with the app that can handle that file, based on the file type. 

For example, if you download a movie in the Netflix app, that movie can only be viewed in the Netflix app, because that's the only app that can open Netflix files. If you download a WebM file from Safari, you'll need an app like VLC Player.

Other files require different apps to open. If you download a file to your iPhone that you can't open, you should Google it to see which app you need.

How to download photos and videos on the iPhone

If you receive a photo or video in the Mail or Messages app, there are two ways to save it. Your choice determines where and how it's stored on your iPhone. 

1. Open a photo in Messages or the app you're viewing it in by tapping it.

2. Tap the Share button (which looks like an arrow pointing up out of a cup). 

3. You should see two save options in the bottom row of the pop-up window: Save Image and Save to File. 

• If you tap "Save Image," the photo will be stored in your Photos app, and you can find it in your Photo library. 
• If you tap "Save to Files," you'll be asked to choose a destination. You can pick a folder to store it in on iCloud, in your iPhone's set of folders, or in a folder like Dropbox, if you use that app.

How to download files from web pages in Safari

You probably don't need to do this often, but it is possible to download files from a web page in Safari. 

1. Start the Safari app and go to a web page that has the file you want to download. 

2. Tap the file to download it, whether through a link or download button.

3. Depending on the type of file, it might open on the iPhone screen, a new tab in Safari, or display a prompt for you to choose a location to download it. If so, you can pick a folder to store it in on iCloud, in your iPhone's set of folders, or in a folder like Dropbox, if you use that app

How to find a file you've downloaded to your iPhone

Your iPhone includes Files, an app that can locate and open files stored on your phone, sort of like a desktop computer's file manager. Here's how to use it.

1. Start the Files app, which looks like a blue folder on a white background.

2. In the Browse section, tap a location where you want to browse. 

3. Tap to open subfolders as needed to find the file you want.

4. Tap the file you want to open. Your iPhone will open the file using the appropriate app. 

Read more coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to download files on an iPad, and where to find them once they've downloaded

• How to move apps and create app folders on any iPhone model

• How to stop robocalls and other spam calls from reaching your iPhone

• How to record the screen on your iPhone