Downloading files on Mini Mac

I cannot save a downloaded file from Ancestry.com. Any suggestions?

Mac mini, macOS 12.0

Posted on Nov 20, 2021 11:36 AM

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Posted on Nov 20, 2021 1:20 PM

I wouldn't necessary expect to see a Save command.


If this is a file that downloads from the Ancestry website, then it is likely going right where all the Safari (?) downloads go. By default I believe that's your Downloads folder. You can direct Safari and any other browser to save downloads to a particular folder.


Click Safari > Preferences > General tab. Look for the "File download location" dropdown menu. There you can see what is already defined as the Save to location. You can redefine a new default folder, or tell Safari to ask every time.


Download items from the web using Safari on Mac - Apple Support


To learn how to change the default for other browsers please visit their support site.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 20, 2021 1:20 PM in response to Fudge6695

I wouldn't necessary expect to see a Save command.


If this is a file that downloads from the Ancestry website, then it is likely going right where all the Safari (?) downloads go. By default I believe that's your Downloads folder. You can direct Safari and any other browser to save downloads to a particular folder.


Click Safari > Preferences > General tab. Look for the "File download location" dropdown menu. There you can see what is already defined as the Save to location. You can redefine a new default folder, or tell Safari to ask every time.


Download items from the web using Safari on Mac - Apple Support


To learn how to change the default for other browsers please visit their support site.

Nov 22, 2021 12:18 PM in response to Fudge6695

In addition to the input from D.I. Johnson, you might check one other thing. In Safari, go to Preferences > Websites. In the vertical column down the left side, scroll down to Downloads. Make sure that you do not have an entry for Ancestry in there that is disallowing the downloads.


For every website, the very first time you try to download a file from them, you will get a pop-up box asking you to grant that permission. If this was accidentally setup to block downloads, you won't get anything.


As D.I. stated, you won't see a "Save" command, as it just happens automatically, once approved.

Nov 20, 2021 12:08 PM in response to Fudge6695

What is stopping you?

Please relay any error messages that may be appearing.


Also, please tell us which Mac, model and year you’re having trouble with, and what macOS version you’re running. You can find that info by clicking the  (Apple) menu at the top of your screen and then select About This Mac.

(Note- for privacy and security please don’t post your serial number.)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Downloading files on Mini Mac

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