Getting comfortable
What a file is, and how to find one
Files can feel like a mystery. But a file is just a saved thing. It can be a photo or a letter. Your phone and computer already keep them safe. So nothing is lost. Once you know where to look, you will feel at home. You can do this.
~5 min Always free
A file is simple. It is any one thing you saved. It can be a photo or a note. Every phone and computer has a free place for them. Let me show you where to look.
Find your device below, then follow those steps. The buttons may look a little different on yours, that is okay.
On an iPhone
- Go to your home screen with your apps.
- Look for an app called Files.
- Its picture is a blue folder.
- If you do not see it, swipe down on the screen.
- Type the word Files in the search box.
- Tap Files to open it.
- Tap Browse at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap On My iPhone.
- If you do not see that, tap iCloud Drive instead.
- Look for a folder called Downloads and tap it.
- Your saved files are listed here.
- Tap any file to open it and look inside.
On an Android phone
- Go to your home screen with your apps.
- Look for an app called Files, My Files, or File Manager.
- It may look a bit different on each phone.
- That is okay.
- Tap it to open it.
- Look for the word Downloads and tap it.
- If you do not see Downloads, tap Internal storage.
- Then look for a folder called Download.
- Your saved files are listed here.
- Tap any file to open it and look inside.
On a Windows computer
- Look along the bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Find a yellow folder picture and click it once.
- This opens a window called File Explorer.
- On the left side, look for the word Downloads.
- Click the word Downloads.
- Your saved files are listed here.
- Double click any file to open it and look inside.
On a Mac computer
- Look along the row of icons at the bottom of the screen.
- Find a blue smiling face and click it once.
- This is called Finder.
- A window opens showing your files.
- On the left side, look for the word Downloads.
- Click the word Downloads.
- Your saved files are listed here.
- Double click any file to open it and look inside.
Buddy’s tip
Cannot spot a file? Tap or click the little search box. Type part of its name. Downloaded does not mean lost. It just means saved, waiting safely for you.
A file is a saved thing, and Downloads is where new ones wait.