How to Change the Download Location in Chrome

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to set a folder as the default location for saving your browser downloads in Google Chrome. You can change your download location on Android, PC, and Mac, but there's no option to set a download location on iPhone.

Things You Should Know

The default download location on most computers is called Downloads.
You can check the download folder in your Chrome settings in the "Advanced" section.
If you have an Android, you'll find the default download location in your Chrome Settings menu under "Downloads."

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using PC or Mac

1
Open Chrome on your computer. Find and click the
icon on your computer to open Chrome.
2
Go to chrome://settings in your browser.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} This will open Chrome's browser settings.
- Click the address bar at the top.
- Type "chrome://settings".
- Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return on your keyboard.
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3
Scroll down and click the Advanced drop-down.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} You'll find this option at the bottom of the basic settings below the "On startup" section. It will expand more options.
4
Scroll down and find the "Downloads" section.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} You can change your download settings here.
5
Click the Change button next to "Location." This will prompt you to select a folder to set as your new download location.
- You can see your current download location in the "Location" box.
6
Select the folder you want to use as your download location.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} Click on the folder's name in the pop-up window to select it.
7
Click Select on the bottom-right. This will confirm your selection, and save your new download location. Chrome will now save browser downloads to your new location.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Android

1
Open Chrome on your Android. Find and click the
icon on your Apps tray to open Chrome.
2
Tap the ⋮ on the top-right. It will open a drop-down menu.
3
Tap Settings on the drop-down menu.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} This will open your browser settings on a new page.
4
Scroll down and tap Downloads.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} You can find this option near the bottom of the Settings menu. It will open your download settings.
5
Tap Download location. This will open a list of the available folders you can set as your download location.
- You can see your current download location's file directory here.
6
Select the folder you want to use as your download location.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} This will set the selected folder as your download location in Chrome.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I change the default download location in Safari?

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.

Mobile Kangaroo

Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

In Safari, click on Safari in the top left corner, select Preferences, and then select General. Near the bottom, you can manually select a file download location or select "Ask for each download."
Question

How can I change the download location on an IG phone (the Chrome one and ES explorer do not work)?

Community Answer

Unfortunately, on Chrome, that's not an option.