This page contains information on how to download many types of files from the Internet, including audio clips, documents, PDF files, programs, and pictures. The directions in the following sections work in all modern browsers.
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What is a download?
To download is to receive data from the Internet that is to be stored and opened. Downloading should not be confused with copying or saving, which handle files that are not on the Internet (e.g., copying files to another location or saving a document). Also, a download is not an upload, which is sending a file from a computer to another.
Warning
Files on the Internet may contain viruses or malware. The best way to protect your computer is to ensure an antivirus and anti-malware program is installed and up-to-date, see: How do I update my antivirus program?
How to download using different browsers
- To initiate a download from a website, you must first click on a download link. A link is usually denoted by different-colored text with an underline, but it may also be an icon or button. If you want to download an audio file, picture, or other media that does not have a link, skip to our download examples for further help.
- After clicking a file link, the browser starts the download or asks what to do, depending on the browser you're using. Below is additional information on how each modern browser handles downloads.
Google Chrome
- After the download has completed, a prompt appears in the lower-left corner of the browser window.
- Double-click the download to open it.
Mozilla Firefox
- After the download has completed, a prompt appears in the center of the browser window; click Save File.
- Once the download is saved, it may be accessed through the Downloads section of the Library folder by pressing Ctrl+J.
- Double-click the download to open it.
Internet Explorer
- After the download has completed, a prompt appears at the bottom of the browser window in the middle. Choose Run or Save to open the downloaded media.
- Press Ctrl+J to view your downloads.
- Click Run to open any of them.
Microsoft Edge
- After the download has completed, a prompt appears at the bottom of the browser window in the middle. Choose Open or Save to open the downloaded media.
- Press Ctrl+J to view your downloads folder.
- Double-click the download to open it.
Opera
- Upon clicking a download link, you'll be prompted to choose a location where the file should be saved. Select a location to save the file and click Save.
- When the download completes, press Ctrl+J to open the Downloads folder.
- In the window that appears, locate your download and click the Run button to open it.
Examples of popular download types
Apps or programs
One of the most popular types of downloads is downloading an app or program that can be installed on your computer. For Windows computers, these files are most often .exe files, and for Apple computers, they are either .dmg and .app files.
NoteDownload An App Called Zoom
Many programs may also be included in a compressed file. If the download file or link ends with .arj, .zip, .tar, or .tgz, see the next section for how to download and extract compressed files.
Below is an example test executable file to run on your Windows computer. This executable file displays the message 'Congratulations you've successfully downloaded an executable program file from the Computer Hope Website.'
Hardware drivers
Today, most drivers are either included in a compressed file (see next section below) or are contained in a self-extracting executable file.
TipIf you're having trouble figuring out how to install the drivers you have downloaded, look for a readme file that has this information. For additional help, use the link below on how to install drivers on a computer.
Compressed files (e.g., .zip and .rar)
Compression techniques reduce file sizes or package several files together. Compressed files may end with a .7z, .arj, .rar, .tgz, or .zipfile extension. After they've been downloaded, these files must be decompressed before they can run or be viewed.
Below is an example compressed file called example.zip. Once this file is downloaded, you'll need to decompress the file which contains a readme.txt and a download-example.exe file.
Audio files (e.g., .mp3)
Downloading an audio file (e.g., an MP3) from a link is like downloading any other basic file from the Internet. For web pages that utilize streaming audio or embedded audio, different downloading techniques must be used that are explained on the page linked below.
Movie files
Downloading a movie file (e.g., an MP4) from a link is similar to all other file downloads. However, you can also right-click the link and choose Save link as, Save target as, or the Save linked content as option. If an embedded movie has an arrow pointing down next to the audio controls, use that link to download the movie. Other streaming movie services that do not have a download link may require additional software to capture the video. The link below has further instructions.
Below is an example link to an MP4 video file. To download it, right-click the file and select Save link as, Save target as, or Save linked content as.
YouTube videos
Steps on how to download a YouTube video or its audio are on the pages linked below.
Pictures or images
Any picture or image on the Internet can be saved to your computer (downloaded). As an example, the following steps walk you through how to download the Computer Hope logo seen to the right.
- Right-click the image.
- From the drop-down menu that appears, select Save image as or Save Picture as.
- Choose the location where you want to save the image.
Once an image is saved, you may open it with an image editor or another program that supports the image's file format.
TipYou can also choose to copy the image and then paste it into any document or graphics program.
PDF files
A PDF file can be downloaded like most programs. Upon selecting a download link to a PDF file, most browsers open the PDF contents in the browser window rather than downloading the file. Below are the steps on how to download a PDF to your computer instead of only viewing it.
- Right-click on any link that opens a PDF.
- Click the Save link as, Save target as, or the Save linked content as option.
- Choose where you want to save the PDF file.
You can follow the steps above with the link below to download our example of a PDF.
Word processor documents
A document, such as those found in Microsoft Word, can also be downloaded by clicking any link pointing to it. To see the process in action, click the image of the 'Computer Hope Example.doc' file to download our example.doc file to your computer.
TipIf the browser is opening the document or the link isn't working, you can also right-click the image and choose Save link as, Save target as, or Save linked content as.
Spreadsheet or CSV files
A spreadsheet can be downloaded by clicking any link pointing to the spreadsheet file (.xls, xlsx). To see the process in action, click the link below to download the example.xls file to your computer.
TipIf the browser is opening the spreadsheet or the link isn't working, you can also right-click the link and choose Save link as, Save target as, or Save linked content as.
NoteMany websites that grab information from a database do not save the data as a .xls, .xlsx, or another spreadsheet file format. Instead, the files are saved as a CSV (comma separated value) file. These files can also be downloaded in the same way and then imported into a spreadsheet program, like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Text files
By default, any link that points to a text file is opened in the browser. To save a text file to your computer to edit in a text editor, right-click the link and choose Save link as, Save target as, or Save linked content as. You can try this now by right-clicking the link below to download a readme.txt file.
Additional information
App Store Install Free Games
- See the download definition for further information and related links to this term.
You can browse and buy apps in the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, on your Apple Watch, on your Mac, or on your Apple TV.
Browse and buy
To download and buy apps from the App Store, you need an Apple ID. Your Apple ID is the account that you use to access Apple services. If you use other Apple services like iCloud, sign in to the App Store with the same Apple ID. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one.
If you're in the App Store on any of your devices and see the download button near an app, you already bought or downloaded that app. When you tap or click the download button , the app downloads to your device again, but you are not charged again. You can also see a list of apps that you purchased and redownload them.
Learn what payment methods you can use to buy apps and other content. You can also create an Apple ID without a payment method when you download a free app.
How to buy apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Tap the App Store app on your Home screen.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then tap the app.
- Tap the price or tap Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.
After your app finishes downloading, you can move it to a different spot on your Home screen. Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.
You can make additional purchases within some apps. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they make in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.
If an app is sold with an iMessage app or sticker pack, you can open it in Messages.
How to buy apps on your Apple Watch
With watchOS 6, you can download apps directly from the App Store on your Apple Watch. You can also add apps to your Apple Watch from your iPhone.
- Open the App Store app.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then tap the app.
- Tap the price or tap Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.
If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they download an app or make an in-app purchase. Learn more about in-app purchases.
How to buy apps on your Mac
- Open the App Store.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download. Apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch don't always have a version for Mac.
- Click the app.
- Click the price, then click Buy App. If you don't see a price, click Get, then click Install App. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID. If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.
After your app finishes downloading, you can find it and keep it organized in Launchpad. Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.
You can make additional purchases within some apps. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they make in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.
How to buy apps on your Apple TV
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then select the app.
- Select the price or select Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.
After your app finishes downloading, you can move it around on your Home screen. Your apps will update automatically.
You can make additional purchases within some apps. You can use Restrictions to restrict, block, or allow in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.
The App Store isn’t available on Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier).
Google Play Store
Get information about an app
If you want to know specific information about an app, like what languages the app is available in, the app’s file size, or its compatibility with other Apple devices, scroll to the bottom of an app’s page. You might be able to tap some sections to learn more.
You can also contact the app developer for help with an app's functionality.
Get help with billing
Download An Application
- Learn what to do if you see a charge from an app that you don't recognize.
- Learn how to cancel an in-app subscription.
- If you can’t update your apps because your payment method is declined, update or change your payment method.
- If you have another issue with an app, report a problem or contact Apple Support.
Learn more
- If your App Store is missing or you can't find it on your device, you might have parental controls turned on. Adjust your iTunes & App Store Purchases settings and make sure that you choose 'Allow' for the Installing Apps setting.
- Learn what to do if an app unexpectedly quits, stops responding while installing, or won't open.
- Learn what to do if you can't download apps, or if apps get stuck.
- If you want to download apps that are larger than 200 MB over cellular, go to Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store, then tap App Downloads and choose the option that you want.
- If you bought part of an apps bundle, the price of the full apps bundle is reduced by the amount you already spent.