This article shows you how to download a file from the internet and save it on a computer or mobile device. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Desktop and Laptop Systems
Step 1. Select the browser address bar
Step 2. Type the name of the content you want to download
This could be a photo, a document, or a program installation file.
Step 3. Press the Enter key (on Windows systems) or ⏎ Return (on Mac).
This will perform a search of the requested content on the web.
Step 4. Select one of the links in the search results list
You will be automatically redirected to the relevant web page.
- If you are looking for an image or photo, you will need to click the link first Images placed under the Google search bar.
- Never download content from websites that you do not consider absolutely safe and reliable.
Step 5. Select the download link
There is no single universal icon that indicates a content download, so you will need to try to locate a button, or link, that says "Download [program_name]" or "Download [program_name]". A pop-up window will appear.
- If you are trying to download an image, you will need to select it with the right mouse button (or by tapping the trackpad with two fingers if you are using a Mac) and choose the link Save image as from the context menu that appeared.
- When you download a program's installation file, the download button is usually characterized by the file name and version number.
Step 6. If prompted, select the destination folder
Some browsers such as Internet Explorer ask the user to indicate the folder in which to save the requested content (for example the desktop).
- Chrome, Firefox and Safari start the download immediately using the default folder.
- On Safari, you can press the down arrow button in the upper right corner of the window to view the progress of the download.
Step 7. Access the file you downloaded
You can do this by clicking the name of the downloaded item that appears in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window (in the case of Safari, press the down arrow button in the upper right corner of the window) or by accessing the default folder used by the browser to save all content downloaded from the web, which is normally the "Download" directory.
To quickly locate the "Downloads" folder, type the keyword "download" in the "Start" menu (Windows systems) or in the Spotlight search field (on Mac). In the latter case, click on the icon in the shape of a magnifying glass located in the upper right part of the screen
Method 2 of 3: iPhone
Step 1. Launch an internet browser
The default browser of iOS devices is Safari and is characterized by a white icon inside which there is a blue compass. Remember that it is not possible to download installation or text files to an iPhone, however you can save images and photos.
As an alternative to Safari, you can use Google Chrome or Firefox, but in this case you must first install the relevant app using the Apple App Store
Step 2. Go to the web page that contains the photo to download
Tap the bar at the top of the screen, type the name of the content you want and press the button Go.
Step 3. Go to the Pictures tab
It should appear below the search bar at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Tap the image you want to save to your device
This will make it appear full screen.
Step 5. Keep your finger pressed on the chosen image
After a few moments, a context menu will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Step 6. Choose the Save Image option
It is located at the top of the menu. This way the selected photo will be stored on the iPhone.
The downloaded photo will be available within the Photos app on your device
Method 3 of 3: Android
Step 1. Launch an internet browser
The device's default browser has a blue globe icon, but you can install other browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, by downloading them from the Google Play Store if you wish.
Step 2. Tap the search bar
It will appear at the top or center of the page, depending on the browser you are using.
If you're using Google Chrome and can't find the search bar, try pressing the button ⋮ located in the upper right corner of the screen, then choose the option New tab.
Step 3. Type the name of the item you want to download
It could be an HTML file or an image.
Step 4. Select one of the links in the search results list
You will be automatically redirected to the relevant web page.
If you are looking for an image or photo, you will first need to locate and click the link Images placed within the page showing the list of search results. In this case the contents that will be shown will be exclusively images.
Step 5. Keep your finger pressed on the chosen image
After a while a series of buttons will appear at the top of the screen, but in some cases a context menu will appear.
Step 6. Press the "Download" button
It typically has a downward arrow icon. This way the chosen file will be downloaded to the Android device.
Step 7. View the contents of the chosen file
In the case of a file other than an image or photo, you can access it through the "Archive" app (on non-Samsung devices) or with the "My Files" app (on Samsung devices).
- If you have downloaded an image or a photo, you can view it using your device's "Gallery" app or the application you usually use to manage this type of content.
- Third party file managers, such as Solid Explorer, allow you to consult the complete list of all the content downloaded to your device.
