Wondering where your Safari downloads are going or want to save them somewhere else? By default, Safari stores files in iCloud Drive — but you can easily switch this to your iPhone’s local storage or another folder. Whether you’re trying to organize your files better or just want offline access, here’s how to change Safari’s download folder on your iPhone 13.
Where Are Safari Downloads Stored on iPhone?
Safari in iOS 15.2 has a built-in download manager that stores files to iCloud Drive > Downloads by default. But you can move this to “On My iPhone”, a custom folder, or even a third-party cloud storage app.
How to Change the Safari Download Location
1. Open the Settings App
- From your Home screen, tap Settings.
2. Scroll Down and Tap Safari
- This opens your browser settings.
3. Tap Downloads Under the “General” Section
4. Choose Where to Store Downloads
- Select either:
- iCloud Drive (default)
- On My iPhone (stores locally)
- Other… to create or select a custom folder
5. (Optional) Create a New Folder
- If you tap Other, you can tap the folder icon (top-right) to create a new folder.
- Name it (e.g. “Safari Files”), then tap Done.
6. Select Your Folder and Tap Done
From now on, all Safari downloads will be saved to the folder you picked.
How to Access Safari Downloads on iPhone
To view your downloaded files:
- Open the Files app
- Tap Browse at the bottom
- Go to iCloud Drive > Downloads (or the folder you set)
If you selected On My iPhone, go to On My iPhone > [Your Folder Name]
Having Trouble Changing the Folder?
- Try restarting your iPhone
- Make sure iOS is updated to the latest version
- Confirm you’re using the Safari app (not Chrome or another browser)