---
id: moving-folders.can-i-move-my-downloads-folder-to-an-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/can-i-move-my-downloads-folder-to-an-external-drive
category: "Moving folders"
subcategory: "Moving specific folders"
question: "Can I move my Downloads folder to an external drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "Move Downloads to SSD Mac"
  - "Downloads folder taking too much space"
  - "relocate downloads storage studio"
  - "Keep new downloads on the external drive"
  - "Will Safari still save to Downloads after moving it?"
short_answer: "Yes. Downloads appears in What's Using Space with a Move to fast drive button; its files move to the drive and links keep the folder working. Turn on auto-sync so new downloads follow it. Storage Studio needs Full Disk Access for this."
tags: ["downloads", "move to fast drive", "auto-sync"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/can-i-move-my-desktop-or-documents-folder", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/which-folders-are-worth-moving-to-an-external-drive"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I move my Downloads folder to an external drive?

Yes. Downloads is one of the most common space hogs, and it appears in **What's Using Space** with a **Move to fast drive** button once it's big enough. The files move to your fast drive and links stay in the Downloads folder, so it still opens where it always did.

Turn on **auto-sync** when you move it, so new downloads also follow it to the drive over time instead of filling your Mac again.

Two things to know: Storage Studio needs Full Disk Access to reach Downloads, and anything moved is only reachable while the drive is connected — keep installers you need on the go somewhere else.

See [auto-sync in What's Using Space](https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/).