Save download in Safari to desired location

In general, it is convenient for the files you download to end up in a certain folder. Because that way you always know where the downloaded file can be found. But it is inconvenient when you want to download a lot of files at once and keep them in another folder. It is annoying that you then have to move them from the Downloads folder to the desired folder. Think of photos that someone has shared with you and that you want to have on your own computer.

Here’s how to change the folder where downloads should go on a Mac with macOS 10.12 Sierra or later:

• Open Safari.
• Click in the menu on Safari > Preferences.
• A window opens. Click on it on the left General.
• Click behind ‘Location of downloaded files’ on Downloads > Others.
• A Finder window opens. Browse to the folder where the files should be located.
• click on Select.
• The change takes effect immediately. If you do not want the downloaded files to open automatically (recommended in this situation), uncheck Open “safe” files after downloading.
• Close the Preferences window via the cross in the top left.

Note that all future downloads will now end up in the folder you selected. If you’ve modified the folder for a one-time download of many files at once, don’t forget to later change the location of the downloaded files back to the Downloads folder.