After some time, smartphones can turn into handheld electronic briefcases. Not only have they got the tools we want, but stacks of photos, information, movies, and other media crammed into it every day. While media secretly downloads onto our mobile devices, however, a conscious effort is required to truly find where downloads reside on our phones.
This guide explains how to find downloaded files on iPhones and Android phones, including Samsung and Google Pixel mobiles. It details just the place to look and what to do in order to entry your downloaded media.
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How to find downloads on iPhone
If you own an iPhone, go to the Files app to find your downloads. Files can be utilized to store every thing from photographs to saved GarageBand songs. If you’ve downloaded something previously, you’re almost sure to find it there. Here’s how:
Step 1: On the Home screen, tap Files.
Step 2: If you aren’t taken immediately to the Browse screen, tap the Browse folder icon on the bottom-right of the screen.
Within Browse you’ll see a variety of options listed under Locations:
- Cloud: Tap iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon Drive, or any other cloud-based to access files saved in these accounts.
- Local: Tap On My Phone to see all files downloaded to your device.
- Recently Deleted: Open this folder to search for any information you might have unintentionally deleted.
Step 3: Tap iCloud Drive.
Step 4: Tap Downloads on the following screen.
If you still can’t discover what you’re in search of, you may tap the search bar and enter the name of your downloaded file. And if you can’t remember the exact name, you possibly can type the first few letters, which prompts the app to suggest possible candidates.
How to find downloads on Samsung phones
For Samsung smartphones, a lot the same principle applies, however with slightly different names.
Step 1: Open the app drawer and either tap the My Files icon or open the Samsung folder and access it from there (depends on the phone).
Step 2: Under Categories, tap Downloads.
Note: The My Files app gives different categories as well that separates files into types: Images, Videos, Audio, Documents, and Installation Files. Check these classes if you can’t find your file(s) using the Downloads category.
You may also use the Search field on the app drawer to find a particular download.
How to find downloads on Google Pixel phones
Technically, these steps apply to Google’s Files app that can be used on any Android phone, not simply the Google Pixel series.
Step 1: Open the app drawer and tap the Files app.
Step 2: The Clean tab opens by default. Scroll down and tap the Downloaded Files card. Alternatively, tap the Browse tab on the app’s bottom followed by Downloads on the following screen. Both result in the same location.
On the Downloads screen, you can switch between Thumbnail and List views. Next to this button is a three-dot “More” icon presenting a drop-down menu with Sort By and Select All options.
In online forums, a small minority of Google Pixel owners have reported an inability to find downloaded photographs or files within the Files app. Usually, that is the results of a permissions problem stemming from using the Google app to downloaded photos.
To clear up it, go to Settings > Apps > Google > Permissions. Next, be sure that Storage permission is switched on. If it isn’t, downloaded files will proceed to be sent to a separate system directory.
How to find downloads on Android phones
Finding downloads on other Android phones follows pretty much the same workflow as finding them on Google Pixel or Samsung phones. However, relying on the models and manufacturers involved, the app name might differ.
Generally, it’s important to do the following:
Step 1: Open the app drawer.
Step 2: Open your phone’s file manager, which may have a name like My Files, Files, Downloads, or File Manager.
Step 3: Tap the Downloads folder.
Note: In some circumstances, you might have to tap Internal Storage before coming so far.
If the file you’re looking for isn’t in Downloads, try another folder, or attempt using the search bar.
Don’t neglect third-party apps
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that some particular apps save downloads to their own internal folders. For example, you can find Netflix downloads by opening the Netflix app, tapping the menu icon within the top-right of the screen, and choosing My Downloads.
In certain instances, different apps might do the same. This applies to iPhones and Android phones. So if you’ve downloaded a file through a particular app, try opening that app if you can’t find the obtain in the usual places.
Also Read: What is “Other” Storage in iPhone? Here’s How to Keep It Low