The task of finding the downloaded files on your Android device is generally easy. The steps to finding the downloaded files vary slightly, depending on what type of device you use, however, for some odd reason, the downloaded files tend to “disappear” sometimes, or so we think.
The files have not disappeared, you just need to dig into your Android device’s settings to find them. In some cases, you might even need to install a file manager to help you keep the downloaded files under control. Thankfully, I did mention some options below.
Search in the Downloads folder
Similar to most computers, Android comes with a “Downloads” folder to store all the downloaded files. This usually will not be available as an app, unfortunately, however, it will be accessible as a folder within a file manager.
You will be able to find the Downloads folder using a third-party file manager, however, each Android phone also has its stock file manager app that can be used equally well.
On stock Android, the application is just called “Files.” You can open it, then tap on “Downloads” to access the Downloads folder.
Your downloaded files will be listed, generally arranged with the most recent one at the top. Tap on the three-dotted menu option at the top right, you will be able to do more with your downloaded files. You will be able to clear your download history, edit, share, and sort by.
To make your downloads easier to locate, you can utilize the “Sort by” option to organize the downloads either by time, type, name, size, ascending or descending, whichever suits you the best.
You have the ability to select individual files in your downloads list by tapping the three-dot menu icons next to them. Your tap will bring up various options like Delete, Share, Rename, and so on.
If you wish to bulk-select or bulk-delete files in your downloads, long-tap one of the files until the checkboxes appear. After it appears, tap on each subsequent file you wish to carry out the same action for.
Check Your App Settings
Many applications have their own download settings. Instead of sending the downloads to your device’s download folder by default, they are sent to the applications download folder.
An Example: WhatsApp by default downloads images as well as videos to your phone it keeps them in its own folder. In the “Files” app, the WhatsApp downloads are separated into WhatsApp Images and WhatsApp Videos.
If you happen to be using a third-party file explorer, you will be able to find the WhatsApp downloads in Internal Memory/WhatsApp/Media.
You could also check within your application’s settings. You might be able to change where the files are downloaded by default, so as to keep everything organized on your device.
Use a Third-Party File Explorer
While the built-in file manager works well enough, it’s not perfect. If you cannot find what you are looking for, you can try using a third-party file explorer app. There are a variety of Android file managers you can use. However, a highly popular as well as useful option is the X-plore File Manager.
The application is easy to use. The menu to the right includes a Find feature. You do not have to know the full file name. There are also search tips included in the search box. All you need to do is enter part of your file name to locate your file in seconds.
Download Another File
If you are not able to find your Android downloads, why would you download something else for it to be potentially lost, as well? Well, when you download a file, you will receive a notification in your device’s notification tray. The notification often looks like a checkmark.
You can tap on it to be sent to the downloaded file, this means that you can also check out where the download came from. This is one of the easiest ways to see where your downloads are stored by default.
BONUS
How to Find the Downloads Folder from Your Windows Computer?
If you just cannot deal with how small things look on your Android device, you can always look at your downloads on your computer. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable, and within a few seconds, you will be able to see a prompt appear offering to show you the contents of the device you just connected.
The next window will provide various options, for example, import/export (among many others). Click on the one that allows you to see the contents of your connected device. Click on the Phone option, and scroll down until you locate the Downloads folder. Open it and do as you please.
How to Find Your Downloads in Chrome?
Say you downloaded an image last week, however, you accidentally erased it from your device. To recover that image, all you need to do is open Chrome and tap on the three-dotted menu icon at the top right corner. Then tap on Downloads to see the list of downloads from the browser.
If you wish to find a specific file, say a video, tap on the drop-down menu beside Downloads. Then, tap on videos (or whatever file you are searching for).
How to Find Your Downloads in Edge?
The new & much-improved Microsoft Edge browser is making inroads on Android, thus, making it relatively easy to find the downloads.
Open Edge, then tap on the three horizontal dots at the bottom center of the browser. Then tap on “Downloads.”
That’s it. Now all the downloads should now be visible to manage.
How to Find your Firefox Downloads?
Firefox makes it very easy to find your downloads. After you open the browser, tap on the three vertical dots at the top-right (or bottom-right, depending on the setup).
Then, tap on “Downloads”, and that’s it.
As you see, your downloaded files did not disappear, they were merely sent to a folder created especially for that.
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