Safari downloaded files can't be opened, appended with .download and can 'file cannot be moved'

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Level 1

33 points

Safari downloaded files can't be opened, appended with .download and can 'file cannot be moved'

Updated to Sequoia 15.7.6 (my MacBook Pro M4 Max arrived with Sequoia and regular updates have been fine - not this one though!)

Now in Safari when downloading files to the default Downloads folder, as it's always been >User > myname > Downloads (I've never downloaded to an external drive or another folder), files now have .download appended. In the download pane in Safari files say 'cannot move file' (I'm not trying to move the file by the way, that's just what it says).

Having read of this issue here - issues going back a year or two, I'm aware of workarounds (open the contents of the 'unopenable' files etc), but I don't want a workaround. As this has been a recurrent issue, not with me, but with OSX updates, what is the actual fix and why has this 'bug' happened again?

I've added Safari to the Full Disk Access list in the System Security Settings, didn't help.

Come on Apple, isn't this basic stuff? - why hasn't this bug been fixed, what does NASA say about the matter??

Posted on Apr 12, 2026 1:12 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

137,253 points

Apr 12, 2026 2:18 AM in response to level-100

FWIW, .download is appended to a file while it's still being downloaded. Once the download is finished ".download" should disappear. It sounds like something is preventing the files to finish downloading on your Mac. I've never had that happen with any version of Safari and macOS up through Tahoe. Maybe someone knows why it's not working for you.

Try booting into Safe Mode then restart normally. Sometimes that will fix anomalies.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Zurarczurx

Level 5

4,596 points

Apr 14, 2026 1:59 AM in response to level-100

I can't replicate it but I'm on 15.7.4 and Safari 26.3. I'd try (more in desperation than anything) creating a new user on your Mac and see if the problem is there too. That could narrow it down to either your user settings or a general Safari problem.

I assume that you haven't got any of the likely candidates (VPN, Anti-virus, disk cleaners) that might be messing up downloads.

There are a couple of other recent posts reporting the same issue so if the problem occurs with a new user account I suggest you post feedback to Apple.

Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

Apr 21, 2026 9:10 AM in response to level-100

Hi Sir, I'm from Italy. Same as your situation. I've tried everything; problem relies only on safari since aother browser can download into the same folder "download", and other apple's app works too, like "mail" (that can download into download folder without problems);

It seems that reinstalling mac os could work, but I'm not sure since there is someone else with same problem;

I've already feedback apple support, you can do it too and try to be as many as we can;

Feedback - Safari - Apple

Is a very annoying problem and as you mentioned, seems to be happened again in past

Seems to be something related to the way safari "atomic save" a file, into a directory; should be something to protect our privacy but in some ways seems corrupted (I got some problem with tcd abnormally consuming cpu on pages...)

I'm on Safari 26.5 (20624.2.1.19.2) and and intel macbook on Sequoia 15.7.5 and problem, as in your case , comes after last update

If you find any solution please tell me; I've changed destination folder, reset tcc, recreate library of safari, logged out and tried with another user, wiped out download folder, and so many other but nothing has changed

*More than this, every files download seems to be created on 24/1/1984

BBBut, if I move the file from the download list of the toggle of download of safari, dragging it to any folder, the file appears

Still remains a big problem since if I download something I do not find the file where I wanted it bo be downloaded

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Answer 4

Zurarczurx

Level 5

4,596 points

Apr 14, 2026 1:01 AM in response to level-100

Try changing the default download folder.

Try another browser.

Can you copy files into the download folder using file manager?

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Answer 5

level-100 Author

Level 1

33 points

Apr 14, 2026 1:35 AM in response to Zurarczurx

Tried downloading to a new folder on the desktop, same issue. So pointed downloads back to the default (I like to keep things as they should be and where they should be - experience of using computer since the early 80's!).

Yes I can copy or move files into the default downloads folder.

In desperation I just tried Firefox, works fine, downloads go into the default downloads folder as they should, and are finished with their proper extension, .jpg, .wav. .pdf etc (not .download).

I consider using Firefox an acceptable workaround, and is maybe the 'fix' everyone resorts to who has this issue. Problem there is 'bye bye Safari' - which I'm not sure Apple will be keen to hear.

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Answer 6

level-100 Author

Level 1

33 points

Apr 14, 2026 12:52 AM in response to dialabrain

No that didn't work.

I just carried out a minor update to the OS, issue still there.

Cleared the history and cache of Safari, issue to there.

Rebooted several times throughout this.

Googling it, .download appended to downloads (files can't then be opened - without manually opening and extracting contents etc), it seems to be a recurrent problem. There's been many suggestions, but no one has said 'this has fixed it!'. Most threads, including here at Apple, are closed without a fix... I fear the same if going to happen again here...

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