Download Folder Mac

If you are a novice in terms of using a Mac, have you asked yourself where all your downloaded files go? By default, all your downloaded files go to the Downloads folder. This applies to any downloads made from web browsers like Chrome, Safari, or even from file transfer apps like AirDrop. Since the Downloads folder is the default download destination in Mac, you may want to know how to quickly access it. Below are some of the fastest and easiest ways to get to the folder and access your files.

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Download Folder Mac

Where to Find the Downloads Folder

In all Mac computers, the Downloads folder is located in the Home directory where it is aptly named the same, Downloads.

Another way to access it is to use the Finder’s sidebar.

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  1. Go to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar.
  2. Check Downloads to make it accessible in the Sidebar.
  3. To get to the Downloads folder in less than a minute, press the keys Option + Command + L.
Download folder macbook

How to Change the Download Destination on Your Browser

Although the default file download destination is the Downloads folder, it can be changed on your browser. For instance, on Safari, this is how you do it:

  1. Open Safari > Preferences > General.
  2. Under File Download Location, select a different folder where you want to save your entire Safari downloads.

If you are worried that you might have a hard time looking for your downloaded files once you change the download destination folder, don’t be. In most cases, a Download button will appear in the web browser’s toolbar after every successful download. If you click it, you will see a list of all your recent downloads.

How to Manage Your Downloaded Files

With all the wide assortment of files you’ve downloaded to your Mac, expect your Downloads folder to be very messy. Some files are redundant, while others are nestled with your app installers, photos, and copies of your monthly utility bills.

Sort all your files to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. Use the Finder’s column view to filter the files by type or by date. If there are larger files that are no longer needed, delete them.

Keep Your Mac Safe No Matter What You Download

While searching for something online, unnecessary files and applications may be unknowingly downloaded onto your Mac. Sometimes, you also find yourself downloading a plethora of stuff, which you don’t actually use and need.

Now, with all the junk files saved on your computer, it won’t be surprising that in the long run, your Mac becomes slow and inefficient. If you don’t want that to happen, start clearing space. Restore it to its former glory by locating the biggest space hogs using 3rd party cleaning tools like Mac repair app. Once you have identified such files, get rid of them. Your Mac will be thankful if you did.

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When you’ve got loads of files — hundreds or even thousands isn’t unusual after a couple of years using the same Mac — it can be difficult to get the correct file path. We attempt to solve this problem in this article for those tired of looking for files and file paths on a Mac.

After trying Spotlight Searches or browsing through files, you might be ready to give up. At times, not knowing the right name can cause software conflicts. But don't despair. There is always a way to locate a file path.

How to get a file path on a Mac?

To get a basic understanding of where your file is located, just right-click the file.

  1. Right-click the file.
  2. Click Get Info.

Look up what’s written under Where:


The selected area shows the enclosed folder of your document.

How to copy the file path

Copying any text from the previous window isn’t easy, obviously. But still, you need a complete file address that you can copy and paste anywhere. So you do one extra step:

  1. Click on Finder
  2. Click View in the upper bar
  3. Click Show Path Bar


Interestingly, the file path will immediately appear underneath the Finder window.

  • Now, Control + Click the file you want the location for
  • Hold the Option key

You will see the new command that has appeared in the context menu — Copy …. as Pathname

  • Click on the selected command

You are now ready to paste. This information is pasted into the Clipboard. Make sure to complete pasting/moving it elsewhere, or this will be lost and you will need to find the folder again.

And that is how to get folder path in Mac. Nice and simple.

How to find the file path using Terminal

Also known as a folder path, or directory path, they aren't always easy to find. When every other method has failed, turn to Terminal as your solution.

  1. Go to Applications > Utilities.
  2. Launch Terminal.
  3. Make sure you are using it as a Super User (which means being logged in as an Admin), so type in sudo su — then press Return.
  4. Now you need to have something of an idea of what this file might be called, so once you do, type in the following (the name in the middle is where you’d put a file name): find / -name randomfilename
  5. Give it time to process the query, which could take several minutes.
  6. A list of names should appear, some or many of which you can ignore as they will be followed by file-end names, such as “operation not permitted”; so focus on the ones that make the most sense, such as: /Library/Application Support/randomfilename/settings/
  7. Now copy and paste the full name and drop it into Finder or Spotlight Search.

Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file onto the Terminal window, and it will show the full path. Hopefully, this will bring you to the file you need.

A shortcut to see unlisted (grayed out) files

For those who love Apple, which for many is more than a tech company, it’s a representation of a lifestyle, a brand that has many fans, we’ve got a fun fact for you. Did you know there is a shortcut combination to see hidden files?

Where Is My Download Folder

This shortcut should work for anyone running macOS Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra, and anything beyond OS 10.12. Here is how you access the shortcut:

  1. From Finder, go anywhere where you suspect there are hidden files, such as the Macintosh HD root directory, or Home folder
  2. Next, press down the Command + Shift + Period keys, which should toggle to show hidden files in that folder.
  3. As you press the shortcut the keys are visible: when you switch it off, they disappear again.

Any hidden files that have been made visible will have greyed out names and icons.

How to find other hidden files on Mac?

It isn't always easy to know where you’ve put every file on your Mac.

After a couple of years of constant use, a Mac can start to resemble a cluttered old-school file cabinet. Files in places that once make sense, but are now in the wrong place. Files and folders that should be in the right place, but have been put somewhere else. Files that seemingly don't exist, or are floating around elsewhere.

Download Folder Mac Popcorn Time

One solution to this is to download CleanMyMac X. It’s a handy and easy-to-use Mac performance improvement app. It comes with a few tools for finding unlisted, hidden, and large old files that have slipped through the cracks. Here is how you use it:

Clean Downloads Folder Mac

  1. Download CleanMyMac X (download a free edition here).
  2. Click on Space Lens.

Download Folder Mac


These blue bubbles represent all your documents in relation to their size. You can dive into each of these folders to reveal their contents — a more visual alternative to Finder.

You can also use the Large & Old files scanner (in the same app). Either or both features will highlight a few gigabytes worth of space you can free up, uncovering files that can easily slip through the cracks and become forgotten. By the way, CleanMyMac X is notarized by Apple, which means this app is malware-free and safe to use on your Mac.

How To Move Files From Download Folder Mac

For those with a lot of files, or Mac users badly in need of making more hard drive space, CleanMyMac X is an invaluable tool. We hope you found this article useful about how to locate and copy the file path details when searching for what you need.