_iShaun

Level 1 (7 points)

Mac App Store

Q: Safari filename extensions

Whenever I want to download a file from Safari I have to put the extension at the end of the filename

in the Save File As dialog box otherwise my Mac won't recognise the file.

For example, I download a lot of MP3s, so I would type artist - title.mp3

I don't have to do this with Chrome - I type just the filename and it saves and recognises no problem.

Any way for Safari to do this?

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), null

Posted on Jul 6, 2016 2:10 PM

I have this question too

Q: Safari filename extensions

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by jdo_apple,

jdo_apple Jul 7, 2016 8:48 AM in response to _iShaun
Community Specialists

Jul 7, 2016 8:48 AM in response to _iShaun

Hello _iShaun,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities. I know having an issue downloading files in Safari is not what you expect. If I understand correctly, you are unable to download files in Safari unless you manually add the file extension, which is something you don’t have to do in a different browser. To help narrow down and resolve this issue, please follow these steps:

1. First, please clear your browsing history in Safari and quit Safari:

Safari 9 (El Capitan): Clear your browsing history

2. With Safari closed, hold the Shift key on your keyboard and then re-open Safari and test your issue again.

Automatically re-open windows, apps, and documents on your Mac

3. If you're still experiencing this issue, your next step would be to test this in a new user on your Mac, as this will help narrow down if this is a system wide issue or just in your user account.

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Cheers!
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by _iShaun,

_iShaun Jul 7, 2016 11:26 AM in response to jdo_apple
Level 1 (7 points)

Mac App Store

Jul 7, 2016 11:26 AM in response to jdo_apple

Hi

I can download files OK with Safari, it's just I have to add the extension (.mp3, .jpg, etc) at the end of the filename.
If I don't do this Finder can't open it.

Whereas Chrome I simply type whatever filename I want and it saves with the extension applied.
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by alex_oz,

alex_oz Jul 7, 2016 1:26 PM in response to _iShaun
Community Specialists

Jul 7, 2016 1:26 PM in response to _iShaun

Thanks for that info and replying! I would still test your issue in a new user on your Mac like I mentioned before, as this can narrow down your issue to either a system wide or user specific issue. I would also try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Use Safe Mode to start up your Mac so that it performs certain checks, delete system cache files, verifies your startup disk, and attempts to repair directory issues if needed.

Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up
Limited graphics performance in OS X recovery or safe mode

2. Use the built in Disk Utility app and run a First Aid scan on your hard drive.

Disk Utility (El Capitan): Repair a disk

Cheers and have a great day!
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by Barney-15E,

Barney-15E Jul 7, 2016 7:57 PM in response to _iShaun
Level 8 (49,841 points)

Mac OS X

Jul 7, 2016 7:57 PM in response to _iShaun

You seem to be under the impression that this is normal behavior for Safari and there is some setting you can adjust.
It isn't and there isn't.
You have been given some basic troubleshooting steps to try to determine where the problem lies, whether isolated to the single user account, or system-wide.

Do you find this only happens at some sites, or is it everywhere and every file type?
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