Computer Steps

Mac · 6 steps

How to Download a File from a Website in Safari on a Mac

What you need: A Mac with Safari open on the website that has the document or picture you want, with a link or button labelled Download for it. To open Safari on a website, follow How to Go to a Website by Typing Its Address in Safari on a Mac.

Steps

  1. On the website, find the Download link or button for the document or picture you want.
  2. Click it once.
  3. If a message asks whether you want to allow downloads on the website, click Allow.
  4. Look near the top-right corner of the Safari window. Click the Show Downloads button: an arrow pointing down inside a circle. A list of downloads opens and shows the file's name.
  5. Wait while the file downloads. A bar under its name fills up as it downloads, and goes away when the file has finished. Safari often opens a document or picture by itself when it has finished, in a new window of its app, such as Preview. If the file opens this way, you have finished.
  6. If the file did not open by itself, double-click the file's name in the list. If the list has closed, click Show Downloads again first. The file opens in the app the Mac uses for that kind of file, such as Preview for a PDF document or a picture.

Expected result: The file you downloaded is open. To find it again later, look in the Downloads folder by following How to Look for a Downloaded File on a Mac.