Most files downloaded from Safari can be found in the Downloads folder in the Files app. The exact location can be iCloud Drive or On My iPhone, depending on the download destination you have selected.
Find the Downloads Folder
- Open Files.
- Tap Browse if needed.
- Look under iCloud Drive or On My iPhone.
- Open Downloads.
- Tap the file you want to view or share.
Use Search When You Do Not Know the Folder
In Files, use the search field and type part of the file name or file type. Sorting by Date can also help when the download is recent.
Check Safari’s Current Download Location
On current iOS, open Settings > Apps > Safari and review the Downloads setting. You can choose the available destination that works best for you.
Downloads from Other Apps
Not every app saves files into Safari’s Downloads folder. Messaging, cloud-storage, music, and streaming apps may keep downloaded content inside the app or another Files location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Downloads folder empty?
The file may have been saved to a different Files location or kept inside the app that downloaded it.
Can I move a downloaded file?
Yes. In Files, touch and hold the file and use Move when available.
Can Safari use On My iPhone instead of iCloud Drive?
Yes, depending on the destinations available in Safari’s Downloads setting.
Summary
Open Files and check the Downloads folder under iCloud Drive or On My iPhone. Use Settings > Apps > Safari to review where future Safari downloads are stored.
Matthew Roberts created this site to help his friends and family with questions that they might have about how to change the settings on their iPhones. It now serves as an archive of iPhone how-to guides to help anyone that stumbles upon this website.