Downloaded files on an iPhone usually land in Files, but Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Photos, iCloud Drive, and some apps can keep their own download paths. Start with the main Downloads folder, then check the place that handled the file if it is not there. Here is the fastest current path to find the file and open it.
Open the main Downloads folder
Start here when you downloaded something from the internet and need the default iPhone location.
- 1.Open the Files app.
- 2.Tap Browse.
- 3.Tap iCloud Drive.
- 4.Tap Downloads.
- 5.Tap the file to open it.
Find a recent Safari download
This fixes the case where Safari just downloaded the file and still shows its download shortcut.
Open Safari.
Next to the search field, tap the Downloads button.
Tap Downloads.
Tap the downloaded file you want to view.
Search inside Files
When the file is not in the first folder you check, use Files search. Open Files, then tap the search field.
Enter a filename, folder name, or document type. To narrow the search, tap Recents or choose a location or tag below the search field.
Tap a result to open it. If this method fails, check the browser download list or the app that originally saved the file.
Check On My iPhone
Some downloads are stored locally instead of in iCloud Drive. Open Files, tap Browse, and look under Locations.
Tap On My iPhone. Open Downloads or the app folder where the file was saved.
Tap the file to view it. When you expected the download to sync across devices, check Settings > Apps > Safari > Downloads and confirm the selected save location.
Change where Safari saves downloads
Open Settings.
Tap Apps.
Tap Safari.
Tap Downloads.
Choose iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, or Other.
Open Files, tap Browse, then open the location and folder you chose.
Tip: on older iPhone software, Safari may appear directly in Settings instead of under Apps.
Search Photos for saved media
Images and videos do not always appear as regular downloads in Files. If you saved the item to your photo library, open Photos instead.
Tap Search in the bottom-right corner. Type a date, place, category, text, caption, or another term, then tap a suggestion or tap Search.
Browse the results and tap the photo or video. If this method fails, return to Files and check iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, or the download list in the browser you used.
View downloads in Chrome or Firefox
This fixes downloads that were handled by a third-party browser instead of Safari.
In Chrome, tap More.
Tap Downloads.
Touch and hold the file name to copy, share, or remove the download.
In Firefox, tap the menu button at the bottom of the screen. On iPad, use the menu at the top right.
Tap Downloads to view the downloaded files list.
Recover a deleted download
Use Recently Deleted when the file was in Files before and is missing now.
- 1.Open Files.
- 2.Tap Browse.
- 3.Under Locations, tap Recently Deleted.
- 4.Tap the More button, then tap Select.
- 5.Select the files you want to keep, then tap Recover.
Restore Files or ask your administrator
If the Files app is missing, open the App Store, search for Files, tap the Redownload button, then open Files and check Browse, iCloud Drive, Downloads, and On My iPhone.
There is no separate built-in Downloads app to open on iPhone. Downloads are viewed from the Downloads folder in Files, from a browser download list, from Photos, from iCloud Drive, or from the app that saved the file.
On a work or school iPhone, the organization can restrict Safari, Siri, iCloud Documents and Data, or where managed documents can open. If a work file will not open, move, or appear in a personal location, contact the administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Safari downloads stored on iPhone?
Safari downloads are usually in Files under iCloud Drive > Downloads, unless Safari is set to save downloads to On My iPhone or another folder.
Why can’t I see the Downloads button in Safari?
The Safari Downloads button appears after a download and may not be shown when there is no recent download list. Use Files > Browse > iCloud Drive > Downloads instead.
Can I view iPhone downloads from another device?
Yes, if the file was saved to iCloud Drive. Go to iCloud.com/iCloud Drive, sign in with the same Apple Account, then open Recents, Browse, Downloads, or the folder that contains the file.
How long do deleted downloaded files stay in Recently Deleted?
Files deleted from the Files app can be recovered from Recently Deleted for 30 days unless they were permanently deleted.