cannot find airdrop files in downloads folder

Got it. Yes, I just ran a search, and I was able to find it through that. Thank you. But, I do not understand how it is saved where it is... Honestly, I don't even know how to get to this location that it is supposedly saved under. In the "iCloud Drive" or "Cloud Docs"?? Where do I find that folder?

I just tried your suggestion and I cannot find the file I named anywhere in my Downloads Folder.

Another suggestion?

I have recently been turning my Bluetooth on and off because I've been using my AirPods, so that was not the trick, unfortunately (would've loved if it was that easy!!). I am going to restart my computer now, and see if that changes anything.

I have also briefly glanced at the other options for the destination directory, installing an app, etc. I have a headache just thinking about all of those steps I might have to take!

I do not remember syncing my desktop and my documents to the Cloud. I might have, just don't remember. Yikes. I have recently had a ton of issues with Dropbox... There was an update, and it seems that it automatically decided to start to save all kinds of documents on my computer that I didn't give it access to. That's another problem for another time. I have not yet checked out your solution for the syncing problem.

Thank you, for all of your help, by the way. I'm learning a lot.

Nevermind... I did not find it from airdropping it, I found it when I spotlight searched for it, because it was in my iCloud Drive tab. I'm back to zero again.