{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-change-where-browsers-save-downloads","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-change-where-browsers-save-downloads","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"finding-big-files","title":"Finding big files, Downloads and the Trash"},"question":"How do I make Safari or Chrome save downloads to an external drive?","alt_questions":["change download location safari","chrome download folder mac","save downloads to external ssd","ask where to save downloads","default download folder mac"],"short_answer":"Safari: Settings → General → File download location. Chrome: Settings → Downloads → Location. Firefox: Settings → General → Downloads. Choose a folder on the drive.","answer_markdown":"Each browser has a download-location setting; point it at a folder on your external drive.\n\n- **Safari**: Settings → General → **File download location**, then choose **Other…** and pick a folder (or Ask for each download).\n- **Chrome**: Settings → Downloads → **Location**, or turn on **Ask where to save each file**.\n- **Firefox**: Settings → General → Files and Applications → Downloads.\n\nIf the chosen drive isn't connected, downloads may fail or fall back to the default folder, so pick a drive that's usually attached.","answer_html":"

Each browser has a download-location setting; point it at a folder on your external drive.

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If the chosen drive isn't connected, downloads may fail or fall back to the default folder, so pick a drive that's usually attached.

","answer_text":"Each browser has a download-location setting; point it at a folder on your external drive.\n\n- Safari: Settings → General → File download location, then choose Other… and pick a folder (or Ask for each download).\n- Chrome: Settings → Downloads → Location, or turn on Ask where to save each file.\n- Firefox: Settings → General → Files and Applications → Downloads.\n\nIf the chosen drive isn't connected, downloads may fail or fall back to the default folder, so pick a drive that's usually attached.","tags":["downloads","safari","chrome","external drive"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-clean-up-my-downloads-folder","question":"What's the quickest way to clean up my Downloads folder?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-up-my-downloads-folder"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How do I make Safari or Chrome save downloads to an external drive? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Safari: Settings → General → File download location. Chrome: Settings → Downloads → Location. Firefox: Settings → General → Downloads. Choose a folder on the drive.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"How do I make Safari or Chrome save downloads to an external drive?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-change-where-browsers-save-downloads"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-change-where-browsers-save-downloads","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I make Safari or Chrome save downloads to an external drive?","alternateName":["change download location safari","chrome download folder mac","save downloads to external ssd","ask where to save downloads","default download folder mac"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Each browser has a download-location setting; point it at a folder on your external drive.\n\n- Safari: Settings → General → File download location, then choose Other… and pick a folder (or Ask for each download).\n- Chrome: Settings → Downloads → Location, or turn on Ask where to save each file.\n- Firefox: Settings → General → Files and Applications → Downloads.\n\nIf the chosen drive isn't connected, downloads may fail or fall back to the default folder, so pick a drive that's usually attached.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-change-where-browsers-save-downloads"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Finding big files, Downloads and the Trash

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How do I make Safari or Chrome save downloads to an external drive?

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Short answer: Safari: Settings → General → File download location. Chrome: Settings → Downloads → Location. Firefox: Settings → General → Downloads. Choose a folder on the drive.

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Each browser has a download-location setting; point it at a folder on your external drive.

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  • Safari: Settings → General → File download location, then choose Other… and pick a folder (or Ask for each download).
  • Chrome: Settings → Downloads → Location, or turn on Ask where to save each file.
  • Firefox: Settings → General → Files and Applications → Downloads.
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If the chosen drive isn't connected, downloads may fail or fall back to the default folder, so pick a drive that's usually attached.

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