How to change where Safari saves downloads on an iPhone
2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Safari, then Downloads, and choose On My iPhone, iCloud Drive or Other. On My iPhone keeps downloaded files in the Downloads folder on the phone. iCloud Drive makes them available on your other Apple devices as well.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Apps › Safari › Downloads
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 5 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
A file you download in Safari goes to a Downloads folder. Which one is your choice: a folder on the iPhone itself, the Downloads folder in iCloud Drive, or any other location. The iPhone in the pictures is not signed in to iCloud, so iCloud Drive is not in its list.
The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Apps
Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list. On iOS 17 and earlier, Safari is in the main list itself.
Tap Safari
The apps are in alphabetical order, so Safari is under S.
Scroll to General and tap Downloads
It is the last row of the General group and shows the current place at the right, here On My iPhone.
Choose where downloads are stored
On My iPhone saves them to the Downloads folder on the iPhone. The note says they are then stored only on this device and are not available on other devices. Other lets you pick a different location. With iCloud Drive, according to Apple, you can open the file on any iPhone, iPad or Mac signed in to the same Apple Account.
Decide when the download list is cleared
Remove Download List Items is set to After one day at first. Tap it to change that.
Good to know
Other is for a location that is not a Downloads folder, in Apple's words.
In short: Settings, Apps, Safari, Downloads, choose the place.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.