Last updated: August 5, 2023
Where have they gone my downloads ? Why can't I find my downloads ? Do these questions sound familiar to you? You are not alone. Many smartphone and tablet users struggle to find their downloaded files. Whether it isAndroid or iOS, locating recent downloads can sometimes seem like a real headache.
However, the answer is simpler than it seems: your files are where your web browser saved them, either in the location you specified or where it stores them by default.
In this article, we will guide you step by step to find your downloads, whatever your telephone and the file type downloaded. Stay with us and turn this confusing task into a breeze.
Types of Downloads
To start, let's take a look at the different types of downloads you can find on your phone.
- applications: First, apps downloaded from the Play Store or App Store find their place in a specific space on your phone.
- Music and Videos: Next we have the audio and video files you get from an app like Spotify or a website. These files also count as downloads.
- Pictures and Images: Third, images retrieved from apps like Instagram, WhatsApp or a website are usually stored in your gallery or a dedicated folder.
- Documents: Fourth, this type encompasses PDFs, Word files, Excel sheets, PowerPoint presentations and more.
- Compressed Files: Finally, we have the compressed files which is used to download many files at once. You must first unzip them to use them.
Now, it is important to note that each type of download has its own mode of storage. It not only depends on your operating system Android or iOS but also your personal settings. In the following sections, we'll explore where and how to locate these different types of downloads on your device.
Locate downloads on phones Android
If you are using a device Android, manage your downloads can be done in several ways. The folder structure varies depending on your phone make and model, but some methods are universal.
Generally, Android stores your downloaded files in a folder called Download ou Downloads, located in the directory Storage ou Storage.
Use the file manager to find your downloads
The majority of phones Android Modern ones come with a pre-installed file manager application. Samsung phones, for example, have their own app MyFiles. If your phone does not have this application, you can installer Files by Google from Play Store.
To find your downloads in the Files by Google app, follow these steps:
- Open theapplication Files by Google.
- Tap the category Downloads.
- You will see all the downloaded files displayed. If you only want to see files in the specific folder Downloads, tap the tab Downloads.
Access internal storage to find downloads?
If you prefer more granular control or if the previous method doesn't work, you can go directly to your device's folder structure.
Here's how to proceed:
- First, open the app Files by Google.
- Then go to the tab Browse and scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Press Internal storage.
- Locate the folder Download and press it.
You should now see all the files in your downloads folder.
Locate downloads on an SD card
Finally, if you use a SD card to expand the storage capacity of your phone, your downloads could be stored there.
To find them:
- Open the application Files ou MyFiles.
- Find and select the option SD Card ou SD card under the rubric Storage ou Storage.
- Browse folders until find your files.
Locate Downloads on iPhones (iOS)
The iOS environment is somewhat different from that ofAndroid, especially with regard to file management. iPhones have a dedicated app called files, which is the central point for managing and accessing your downloaded files.
This is because on an iPhone, your downloads are usually saved in the app where they were received or downloaded. For example, a photo uploaded via iMessage will be saved in the Photos app. However, since the introduction of iOS 13, iPhones have theFiles application which includes a file Downloads.
Use the Files app to find your downloads
To find your downloads in the application files for iOS, follow these steps:
- Open the application files.
- Press Explore at the bottom right of the screen.
- Find and select the folder Downloads.
You should now see all the files you have downloaded.
Find downloaded images on iPhone or iPad
No matter which browser you use – Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or others – the procedure for finding your downloaded images remains quite similar.
- First open the app Photos.
- Then, depending on the browser used to download the image, enter the name of the latter in the application search bar Photos.
- For example, if you used Safari, type Safari. This will allow you to quickly locate images downloaded through this browser.
However, if you can't find a specific image, feel free to check the "Downloads" folder in the "Files" app. Indeed, depending on your browser settings, certain images may be saved directly in this folder.
Find downloads in other apps
As mentioned earlier, some downloaded files can be saved directly in the application used for downloading. For example, if you download a PDF file from Safari, you can find it by opening the application Books (Books).
- Open the application Books.
- Press Library at the bottom of the screen.
- Push the button Collections at the top of the screen.
- Select PDFs to see all your downloaded PDF files.
Locate downloaded music on iPhone or iPad
If you are a student, this silver necklace is absolutely your first choice. The silver color will show your vitality and your youth. upload an audio file via Safari or another browser, you will find it in the folder Downloads of the application files. On the other hand, if you use dedicated applications like Apple Music or Spotify, the downloaded files will be accessible directly in the application library.
Remember that you can always change the default download location. Additionally, some download management applications can create their own download folders, which can be viewed or edited through the application settings.
Find downloaded apps on iPhone or iPad
To find a downloaded app on your iPhone or iPad, simply swipe left on the Home screen.
Continue until a marked page appears Application library up. This is where all the apps installed on your device are located.
Your iPhone attempts to classify these apps into useful categories, making it easier to navigate.
If you find the category list too crowded, tap Application library at the top to jump to an alphabetical list of your apps.
To further refine your research, you can use the search function built into the alphabetical list. Press once more Application library, then start typing when the keyboard appears.
Conclusion
In summary, the location of your downloads on your phone, whether it is a device Android or iOS, is a fairly simple and straightforward process. Whether you use the pre-installed file manager app, Files by Google on Android, or the Files app on iOS, or whether you prefer to navigate directly through folders on your device, you have the ability to efficiently find and manage your downloads.
We hope this guide has been useful to you and that you now have a better understanding of how to manage and locate your downloads on your phone. With this information at your disposal, you will be able to maximize the efficiency of your storage space and stay organized.
Finally, if you found this article useful, please do not hesitate to share it with your friends, family or colleagues.