How to change where Safari saves downloads on an iPhone

What changed: new screenshots from our own iPhone 17e on iOS 27.0.1, dark mode, and the wording checked against those screens.

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-where-safari-saves-downloads-on-an-iphone/ · Checked October 2026 · iPhone 17e · iOS 27.0.1

4 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

iPhone

Shown on

iOS 27.0.1 (iPhone 17e)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Apps › Safari › Downloads

Real screenshots

4 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 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.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Safari

   The apps are in alphabetical order, so Safari is under S.

   Done

3. 

   Scroll to General and tap Downloads

   It is the last row of the General group and shows the current place at the right. Ours said iCloud Drive.

   Done

4. 

   Choose where downloads are stored

   iCloud Drive (ticked on ours) uploads and stores your downloads in iCloud, and the note under it says changes sync across your iCloud devices. On My iPhone saves them to the Downloads folder on this iPhone only. Other lets you pick a different location.

   Done

5. 

   Decide when the download list is cleared

   Remove Download List Items is set to After one day at first. Tap it to change that.

   Done

What changed: new screenshots from our own iPhone 17e on iOS 27.0.1, dark mode, and the wording checked against those screens.

About this guide

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 screenshots are our own, taken on an iPhone 17e running iOS 27.0.1, in dark mode.

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.