You tapped download, saw it finish… and now you can't find the file. It happens to everyone. Browsers save downloads to a default folder that isn't always where you'd look. Here's where to find them on each device.
Android
Downloads go to the Download folder in your phone's internal storage.
- Quickest: tap the notification that appears when the download finishes.
- Files app: open Files by Google (or My Files on Samsung) → Downloads.
- Gallery: videos and images also appear in Google Photos → Library → Download or in your gallery's Download album. It can take a few seconds.
- In Chrome: three-dot menu → Downloads.
Change the location: Chrome → three dots → Settings → Downloads → turn on Ask where to save files, or pick an SD card if your phone has one.
iPhone and iPad
Safari saves downloads to the Files app, not the Photos app.
- Tap the blue download arrow in Safari's address bar to see recent downloads.
- Or open Files → Browse → Downloads (it may be under iCloud Drive or On My iPhone).
Move a video into Photos: open it in Files, tap Share → Save Video. For images, choose Save Image.
Change the location: Settings → Apps → Safari → Downloads (on older iOS: Settings → Safari → Downloads) and choose iCloud Drive or On My iPhone. Saving to "On My iPhone" avoids using iCloud storage.
Windows
Downloads go to C:\Users\YourName\Downloads.
- Press Ctrl+J in Chrome or Edge to open the downloads list.
- Or open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left panel.
Change the location: Chrome → Settings → Downloads → Location; Edge → Settings → Downloads.
Mac
Downloads go to the Downloads folder in your home folder, also shown in the Dock next to the Trash.
- Safari: click the download arrow in the toolbar.
- Chrome: press ⌘+Shift+J.
- Finder: ⌥+⌘+L opens the Downloads folder.
Still can't find it?
- Search by name: the file is usually named after the video's title. Search your device for a word from it.
- Sort by date: in your Files app or Downloads folder, sort by "Date modified" — the newest file is at the top.
- Did it finish? If you closed the tab or your phone locked, the download may have stopped. Open the browser's Downloads list to check, and download again if needed.
- Was it the right option? If you chose "Audio only", look for an audio file (.mp3 or .m4a), not a video.
Keep things tidy
The Downloads folder fills up fast. Once a week, move videos you want to keep into proper folders or albums, and delete the rest. If storage is tight, see How to free up phone storage for videos.