Downloading Files from iOS App

This article contains tips for downloading files directly to your Apple mobile device when using the iOS PWA. Saving files downloaded from the Safari browser is more intuitive than from the iOS PWA. The Safari browser will prompt the user to save the downloaded file within the "Files" app, but the iOS PWA attempts to directly view the downloaded file. In addition, the filesystem on iOS devices has been more opaque to the user compared to Android devices, which adds to the confusion.

"Save to Files" flow

On mobile, you can long-press a file to select it, and then use the "Download" button to start downloading the file. Once the download is completed within the iOS PWA, you will see a new window with the downloaded file. From this window, you can press the iOS "Share" button:

This will launch the mobile share prompt, from which you can press "Save to Files":

From there, you can choose where to save the file, including to your "Downloads" folder on the device.

Updated on: 08/06/2023