Where Are Downloaded Videos Saved? Android, iPhone, PC and Mac
You tapped download, the file finished, and now you cannot find it. This is the most common question after saving a video, and the answer is simple: almost every device puts downloads in a folder called Downloads. On iPhone that folder lives inside the Files app; on Android it is in the phone's storage and often shows up in the Gallery; on Windows and Mac it sits in your user folder. Below is exactly where to look on each device, how to move files into your photo library, and how to choose a different folder.
On Android
Finding the file
Most Android browsers, including Chrome and Samsung Internet, save files to Internal storage > Download. There are three quick ways to reach it:
- Pull down the notification shade right after the download finishes and tap the completed download.
- Open your file manager app, usually called Files or My Files on Samsung phones, and tap Downloads.
- In Chrome, tap the three-dot menu and choose Downloads to see a list of everything the browser has saved.
Seeing it in the Gallery
Most gallery apps automatically scan the Download folder, so a saved video normally appears in an album named Download or Downloads within a few moments. If you prefer to keep it next to your camera videos, open your file manager, touch and hold the file, choose Move, and pick a folder such as Movies or DCIM. If the video does not appear at all, restarting the gallery app or the phone usually forces a fresh scan.
Changing the download folder
In Chrome for Android, open the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Downloads, and use Download location to choose between internal storage and an SD card if your phone has one. You can also turn on Ask where to save files so Chrome asks every time. Other browsers have a similar option in their settings.
On iPhone and iPad
Finding the file
Files downloaded in Safari go to the Files app, not to Photos. Open Files, tap Browse, and open Downloads. While a download is in progress, a small arrow icon also appears in Safari's address bar; tap it and then tap the file to open it directly.
By default the Downloads folder is in iCloud Drive. If iCloud Drive is turned off or you have changed the setting, it is under On My iPhone (or On My iPad) instead. If you use a browser other than Safari, check On My iPhone for a folder with that browser's name.
Moving it to Photos
Open the video in Files, tap the Share button, and choose Save Video. The video is copied into the Photos app, where it appears with your recent items. Our step-by-step guide to saving videos to iPhone Photos covers this in detail, including what to do when Save Video does not appear.
Changing the download folder
Open the Settings app, go to Safari (on recent iOS versions it is under Apps > Safari), and tap Downloads. Choose iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, or Other to pick any folder. Saving to On My iPhone keeps files on the device and avoids using iCloud storage, which is useful for large videos.
On Windows
Finding the file
Every major browser on Windows saves to C:\Users\YourName\Downloads by default. The fastest ways to get there:
- Press Ctrl + J in Chrome or Edge, or Ctrl + Shift + Y in Firefox, to open the downloads list, then click the folder icon or "Show in folder".
- Open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left sidebar.
Changing the download folder
- Chrome: Settings > Downloads > Location > Change. You can also turn on "Ask where to save each file before downloading".
- Edge: Settings > Downloads > Location > Change, with the same "ask" option.
- Firefox: Settings > General > Files and Applications > Downloads. Choose "Save files to" and click Browse, or select "Always ask you where to save files".
To keep videos tidy, you can move them from Downloads into your Videos folder, which the Windows Photos and Media Player apps can show.
On Mac
Finding the file
Downloads go to the Downloads folder in your home folder. Open Finder and click Downloads in the sidebar, or click the Downloads stack on the right side of the Dock. In Safari, click the downloads arrow in the toolbar or press Option + Command + L; click the magnifying glass next to a file to reveal it in Finder. In Chrome, Command + Shift + J opens the downloads page.
Moving it to the Photos app
Open the Photos app and drag the video file from Finder into the Photos window, or choose File > Import and select the file. Photos makes its own copy, so you can delete the original from Downloads afterwards if you like.
Changing the download folder
In Safari, open Safari > Settings > General and change File download location. In Chrome or Firefox on a Mac, the option is in the same place as on Windows.
Where VidGrabo fits in
VidGrabo runs in your browser, so the file is saved wherever your browser normally puts downloads. You paste the link of a public video from TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) or Pinterest on the home page, choose a quality or MP3, and the browser downloads it. VidGrabo does not keep a download history, and temporary copies on its servers are deleted automatically after a short time, so the copy on your device is the only one. Keep it somewhere you will remember, and only save videos you own or have permission to use (see our copyright page).
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I find the video in my iPhone's Photos app?
Because Safari saves downloads to the Files app. Open the video in Files > Downloads and use Share > Save Video to copy it into Photos.
The download finished, but the Downloads folder is empty. What happened?
Check whether your browser is set to a different download location or to ask each time, and look at the browser's own downloads list, which shows the exact path. On iPhone, also check both iCloud Drive and On My iPhone. If the download never really completed, our guide to fixing downloads that do not work can help.
Can I download straight to an SD card on Android?
Yes, if your phone has an SD card slot and your browser supports it. In Chrome, go to Settings > Downloads > Download location and select the SD card.
Can VidGrabo show me my past downloads?
No. VidGrabo does not keep a history. Your browser's downloads list and your device's Downloads folder are the places to look.
Conclusion
Whichever device you use, start with the Downloads folder: in the Files app on iPhone, in your file manager or Gallery on Android, and in File Explorer or Finder on a computer. From there you can move videos into Photos or your gallery and, if you want, pick a different default folder in your browser settings. For a full walkthrough on a computer, read how to download videos on PC and Mac, or go to the VidGrabo home page to save your next public video.
