Where are the files downloaded with Android smartphone?

The Android File Manager allows you to manage, control and delete content downloaded from the web. Here's where it's located in your smartphone

If you own an Android smartphone, you've surely happened to download files from the web. Not to mention that the latest generation devices let you scan or edit documents, so you can safely avoid using the computer. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to find out where the files you downloaded with your Android smartphone are right away.

This is because when the operating system was launched, it didn't have an app dedicated to managing downloads, with documents being downloaded into a folder that was often unavailable. A lot has changed since then: the system has evolved in accordance with users' new needs. However, finding the downloaded files remains a mystery for many, or at least a fairly complicated operation. Most Android devices come with a pre-installed File Manager, alternatively there are several apps available on Google Play to find and organize the documents on your phone.

Files downloaded with your Android smartphone: the Download folder

Usually the file manager in smartphones is contained in an application called "My Files", but it can change name depending on the device. For example, in Google Pixel phones it is simply called Files, while in Samsung ones you can find it as "My Files". Regardless of the device, the objective is to find the appropriate app and then access the Download folder. Inside it you can find all the downloaded files. Usually, the documents are organized in chronological order, so from the most recent to the oldest. However, this function can be customized thanks to the "Sort by" item followed by various options. For example, documents can be displayed by format or name. If you have difficulty reaching and working on this folder, you can rely on external apps.

Apps for managing downloaded files on Android

The alternatives on Google Play are several. Among all of them, you can rely on the free Astro app. This tool supports cloud saving for Dropbox, Facebook and Google Drive services. It also allows you to organize the documents on your device by type: music, videos, personal documents and so on. Of course, downloaded files can also be found. The graphics are nice and make the application very intuitive and easy to use.

An alternative, perfect for those who pay attention to the graphical interface, is AntTek Explorer which you can download for free on Google Play. The design is very clean and can be customized to suit your needs. For example, on the left side there are shortcuts to access the memory of the SD card or the internal memory of the device. You can also place bookmarks or make other customizations. The app is useful for those looking for a professional and feature-rich tool for storing and organizing files on their phones.