Finding the downloaded files on your Android device is usually an easy task. The steps to find them vary slightly depending on the type of device you have, but for some reason the downloaded files sometimes “disappear”.

However, the files did not disappear. You just need to delve into your Android device’s settings to find them. In some cases, you may need to install a file manager to help you control the files you download. Let’s look at some of the options.

Look in the download folder

Like most computers, Android comes with a “Downloads” folder where all downloaded files are stored. If you’ve been using Android for years, it should be obvious to you. To access your Downloads folder, launch the default File Manager app and you’ll see a “Download History” option at the top.

You should now see the last downloaded date and time file. If you tap on “More” in the upper right corner, you can do more with your downloaded files. For example, you can clear your download history, edit, share, and sort by.

To make it easier to find your downloaded files, you can use the “Sort By” option and sort them by time, type, name, size, ascending or descending whichever is best for you.

Depending on your Android version, Download History may not be visible. Search for “Download” or “Downloaded” instead.

Another option in File Manager is the Search feature. Tap the search icon at the top and enter part of the file name. You can even filter your search by file type.

Check the application settings

Many applications have their own download settings. Instead of sending Android downloads to the download folder on your device by default, they are sent to the app’s download folder. If you are using a file management application, find the application folder, open it, and find your file.

You can also check in the app’s settings. You may be able to change where your files are downloaded by default to keep things more organized on your device.

Use a third-party file viewer

While the built-in file manager works well enough on Android, it’s not perfect. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, try a third-party file viewer app. There are many Android file managers available. However, a very popular and useful option isthe X-plore File Manager. The double glazing feature makes it a personal favorite.

It is easy to use. The menu on the right contains the search function. You don’t need to know the full file name. I also love that the search hints are in the search box. Enter part of a file name and locate the file in seconds.

Download another file

If you can’t find your Android downloads right now, why would you download anything else? When you download the file, you’ll get a notification in your device’s notification bar. The notification looks like a check mark. Tap on it and you’ll be sent to the downloaded file, which means you can also check where the download is coming from. This is an easy way to see where your downloaded files are stored by default.

How do I find the Downloads folder on my Windows PC?

If you just can’t stand how small they look on your Android device, you can always go through the downloaded files on your computer. Connect your Android device to your computer with a USB cable, and within a few seconds a message should appear offering you to view the contents of the connected device.

The next window will offer several options such as import / export (among others). Click the one that allows you to view the contents of your Android device. Click Phone and scroll down until you find your Downloads folder. Just open it and do what you want.

Find your downloads in Chrome

You downloaded an image last week but accidentally deleted it from your device. To get this image back, open Chrome (as long as Chrome is your default browser) and the second icon on the left should be an arrow pointing down. Tap it and all downloaded files will appear.

If you want to find a specific file, such as a video, tap the drop-down menu next to Downloads and tap on the videos (or whatever file you’re looking for).

Find your Firefox downloads

Firefox makes it easy to find downloaded files. When the browser is open, tap on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the screen. Tap on Tools and the first option in the list should be Downloads. Tap on it and you should see all downloaded files.

Unlike Chrome, Firefox doesn’t allow you to search for a specific file type, they are all messed up, which can make it difficult to find them.

How do I access the downloads folder in Opera?

Instead of tapping the dots to access your Downloads folder, you’ll need to tap the Opera icon. When you see the Downloads option, tap on it and you should now see everything you’ve downloaded.

As you can see, the downloaded files didn’t disappear, they just ended up in a folder created specifically for this purpose. To delve into the Android directories, read our guide on how to install TWRP Recovery. Or, if you’ve started messing around with streaming movies and TV between devices, check out our list of the best DLNA streaming apps.