How do i find files on my ipad

If you download files to your device from the internet often, then you’re used to the routine. You may have even changed your download location to a specific spot. But if you’ve never downloaded a file on iOS, then you’re probably wondering where those files went!

Here, we’ll show you how to access downloaded files on iPhone and iPad.

Access your downloads in Safari

If you use Safari as your browser of choice on iOS, then that’s the easiest spot to grab your downloads.

To open the Downloads Manager, tap the Show Downloads button in Safari’s toolbar, which looks just like it does on Mac. You can then select your file to open it or tap the magnifying glass to see it in its folder.

Note: In iOS 15, the Safari address bar is moved to the bottom. You will see the download icon in the bottom left unless you have reverted back to the old design.

If you don’t see the Show Downloads button, Safari may have already removed your downloads. Check the Remove Downloads setting in Settings > Safari > Downloads which can be set to After one day, Upon successful download, or Manually.

Access your downloads in the Files app

Your downloads on iPhone and iPad go to your Files app by default in a folder names Downloads. So if you’re unable to use Safari to see your downloads, just open Files > Browse, and in iCloud Drive, select the Downloads folder.

To pick a different location, see our tutorial for how to change where the downloaded Safari items are saved in iOS. And if you’re interested, take a look at how to change the Safari download spot on Mac too.

Are you going to catch up with all of those files and images you’ve downloaded now? And do you plan to change the location to a more convenient spot for future downloads on iOS? Let us know!

You’ve probably never noticed the blue file folder icon on your iPad – you can find everything you need to work with our class in it!

In the Files “folder,” you’ll see all the locations your files might possibly land when you take photos and download PNG and WIF files:

1. “Recents”, which is displayed, contains just that.  The pattern files reside on the iCloud and can be found in that folder, and the PNG image shown above resides in the Downloads folder, and they are simply displayed here in Recents for your convenience.

2. Your iCloud Drive – this contains everything you have saved to the iCloud – depending on your Settings, it is likely where all of your photos and files are stored.

3. On My iPad – files you have specifically saved locally (not in the Cloud) to your iPad

4. Downloads – the mysterious place your Downloaded PNG images have collected!

How to Select Colors from Image on an iPad

1. Click the Select Colors from Image button in Color Editor

2. Select from the locations that pop up, circled in Red below

3. See above for file locations you’ll find when you click Browse.

If you use an iPhone to take pictures, you can sync those photos to your Photo Library on your iCloud.  Read more about how to link your devices here: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/sync-photos-to-your-device-mchl4af095d3/mac

You can also take a photo right from this spot with your iPad and it will be uploaded into Color Editor and Saved in your Photos.

Downloading PNG images from Color Editor

1. Click the Download button in Color Editor, and click Download to save the image.  It looks like nothing happened – bit don’t fear, your file has been saved!

1. Navigate to your Files – it’s a Blue folder “app” on your iPad home screen.

2. Click the Browse button to locate your Downloads location:

3. Recents is displayed first, and you’ll likely find your files there.  If not, click the Browse folder icon at the bottom of the screen to get to the Downloads folder, and then select your WIF file there.

PRO TIP:  

You can bypass saving to the Downloads folder and Save your WIF or PNG downloads to the Files folder, or even to a new Folder inside Files that you can create and name as you like.

1. Instead of clicking Download after you select Download either WIF or PNG, click and hold on the blue Download WIF or Download PNG button and you’ll get a new popup:

1. Click or tap Save to Files

2. Once you’re in Files, you can click on the folder icon in the top right to create a new folder – name it and Download your files here!

Uploading WIF files from your iPad

1. When you click the Upload WIF button in Color Editor, you’re presented with the same choices as Select Colors from Image:

1. Click the Browse button to locate your Downloads location:

2. “Recents” is displayed first, and you’ll likely find your files there.  If not, click the Browse folder icon at the bottom of the screen to navigate to Downloads, or to Files and the folder you’ve created.