Find iPhone Downloads: Ultimate Guide

Did you just download something and can’t seem to figure out where it’s saved? Well, that’s pretty much with every new iPhone user. Downloading files on iPhones is not very straightforward. You need to make some configurations to have your downloads in place.

But worry not; this comprehensive guide will show you how to do exactly that. Whether you want to download an item from Safari, a mail attachment, or some other app, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore how to find iPhone downloads.

Locate Safari Downloads

When you download something from Safari, it doesn’t automatically get saved into the Files app. All you see is a small Download icon on the address bar which will help you find the downloaded item. 

Note: The download icon doesn’t appear all the time but only after you download something. 

1. Open Safari.
2. Go to a webpage and download something. Once you do that, you will see a blue Download button on the far-left of the address bar. Tap on it.
   
3. Tap on Downloads. If you see a blue dot over the Downloads icon, it means that you have a few downloads available.
4. You will be able to see your downloads here. Tap on the “search” icon next to the filename to open it in the Files app.

Save Safari Downloads in the Photos app or Files App

Downloading a file or something else doesn’t always show up in the Downloads folder in the Files app. So, if you want to save your Safari downloads, such as a video or a photo, in the Photos or the Files app, follow the steps below.

1. Open Safari.
2. Tap on the Download icon at the bottom.
3. Tap on Downloads.
   
4. Then, tap on the photo or video you want to save to the Photos app. A preview of the photo or video will open.
5. Tap on the Share button on the bottom-left and select Save Video or Save to Photos.
6. If you want to save your downloads to the Files app, tap on Save to Files.

Find Downloads Folder in the Files App

Finding your downloads in the Files app is easy. There is a dedicated Downloads folder. To find all your downloads, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Files app.
2. Navigate to the Browse tab at the bottom.
3. Tap on iCloud Drive or On My iPhone.
4. You should see the Downloads folder here.

Note: The Downloads folder will not appear if you have no downloads.

You can mark the Downloads folder as a favorite for easy access. Follow the steps below.

1. Force-touch the Downloads folder.
2. Tap on Favourite (it looks like a star).
3. You should see the Downloads folder under the Favourites section in the Browse tab.

Download Mail Attachments

When you download mail attachments such as PDFs, videos, photos, etc., they will also appear in the Downloads folder. Here’s how.

1. Open your preferred Mail app.
2. Tap on the attachment you want to download.
3. Tap on the Share button on the bottom-left or the top-right.
4. Tap on Save to Files.
   
5. Now, open the Files app and go to the Downloads folder. You will find your downloaded attachment here.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

Why can’t I see the Downloads folder in my Files app?

Downloads don’t automatically show up in the Files app. So, if you don’t explicitly tap on Save to Files and you have no downloads saved, the Downloads folder will not show up. You need to have at least one downloaded file saved for the folder to show up.

How can I find my Safari downloads if the Download icon doesn’t appear?

If the Download icon doesn’t appear, download the file again and tap on it immediately. Then, tap on Downloads and you will see your downloads.

Can I save Safari downloads directly to the Photos app or Files app?

Yes, you can but only manually. After downloading a file or something else in Safari, tap on the Download icon at the bottom, then tap Downloads. From there, you can tap on the photo or video you want to save and select “Save Video” to save it to the Photos app, or “Save to Files” to save it to the Files app.

Can I change the location where Safari downloads are saved?

No, you cannot change the default location where Safari downloads are saved. When you save a download to Files, it will only and only appear in the Downloads folder.

How do I access my downloads if I’ve accidentally deleted them from the Downloads folder?

If you’ve accidentally deleted your downloads from the Downloads folder, you may be able to recover them from the Recently Deleted folder in the Files app. Open the Files app, tap on Browse, then tap on Recently Deleted.

Final Words

That’s it for this guide. We hope that it has helped you find the downloads on your iPhone. We also answered your frequently asked questions, so that you have everything cleared up. Remember to save your downloads to the Files app for easy access. Cheers!