How to Change the Default Download Location in macOS (not in browser, but in Finder)?

Question

Level 1

86 points

How to Change the Default Download Location in macOS (not in browser, but in Finder)?

How to Change the Default Download Location in macOS so that the download folder shown in sidebar of Finder in macOS with the arrow icon upon clicking opens the modified location.

I am not asking about the changing the location where files get downloaded in Safari (which can be changed in Safari > Settings > General. What I am referring to is changing the location of ~/Downloads folder from the internal HDD to some cloud location (like iCloud or OneDrive with valid subscription and configured on the macOS).

Posted on Mar 23, 2024 4:35 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MrHoffman

Community+ 2025

Level 10

143,955 points

Mar 23, 2024 9:58 AM in response to sn72

There is no system-wide setting for the download folder.

Each app can have its own default, as well.

Nor does Finder have its own setting for this.

Which leaves links:

https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/391008

Remember to chmod the new download directory as mentioned there in a comment, too.

This usage of links is undocumented, subject to change, and might now or eventually break something.

And yes, log feedback with Apple.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 23, 2024 9:47 AM in response to sn72

What you are asking is not currently supported. You could submit your idea for consideration in future updates or macOS releases here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Reply

Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,958 points

Mar 23, 2024 5:21 AM in response to sn72

You drag the altered download location folder to your Finder Window sidebar as the Downloads folder is an integral Finder destination that you cannot change in its sidebar, since it was programmed into Finder.

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 23, 2024 5:28 AM in response to sn72

In addition to VikingOSX, after creating and adding your new location in the sidebar and name it something similar to "MyDownloads". You can then remove the Sidebar label called "Downloads" from showing in the sidebar. You're not removing the folder from the hard drive but only from showing in the sidebar.

Finder > Settings > Sidebar, uncheck "Downloads"

Reply

Answer 5

sn72 Author

Level 1

86 points

Mar 23, 2024 9:46 AM in response to Randall_2023

The suggestions are not achieving what I wanted.

I want to change the location that is programmed into the Finder and also show the down arrow folder icon for the modified download location folder.

I tried doing it separately for each app and modified the configuration first in macOS Mail app > Settings > General > Downloads folder. Even after changing the location of downloads folder there, when I click a pdf file received as a mail attachment it gives a choice of saving it to Downloads folder (screenshot attached). But if I select the downloads folder it still saves the pdf file to the earlier location of Downloads folder and not at the changed location of Downloads folder. This suggests that the original system wide Downloads folder location is too deeply entrenched every where in all apps.

There must be some way of achieving it.

Reply