Where are pdf files on my phone

It can be incredibly convenient to use Android to download files and forgo a computer for things like editing a document for work, adding to a presentation for class or downloading a photo that you want to use as a wallpaper. The problem is, it's not always clear where the file you just downloaded was saved on your phone or tablet. 

When Android first launched, finding files was especially cumbersome due to the fact that not every Android device came with a file manager app. A lot has changed since then. Most Android devices now come with some sort of file manager preinstalled, and for those that don't, there's a better alternative anyway. 

Now playing: Watch this: The top 5 best Android Q features

2:54

Find the file manager app

By far the easiest way to find downloaded files on Android is to look in your app drawer for an app called Files or My Files. Google's Pixel phones come with a Files app, while Samsung phones come with an app called My Files. Regardless of which device, once you find and open the file manager, use it to look for the Downloads folder and open it. 

There you will find your downloaded files in chronological order (newest to oldest, in most cases). You can, however, change how the files are sorted. In Samsung's My Files app, tap on the three-dot menu icon and then select "Sort by." In the Files app on a Pixel phone, tap on the "Modified" text to change how the app sorts your files. 

Once you've located your downloaded files, you can open a file with a tap, or bring up more options with a long-press on the file. 

Better yet, use Files by Google

If you don't like the default file manager app on your Android phone, or it doesn't have one, download the Files by Google app (formerly Files Go) from the Play Store. The app is easy to navigate, provides quick access to your downloads folder and helps you free up storage space. 

When you open Files by Google, the app will recommend various options like clearing out app caches, removing junk files or deleting backed-up photos from your device. There's even an AirDrop-like file-sharing feature baked into the app that makes it really easy to share files with someone who is nearby. 

Once you've installed the app, you can find your downloaded files by selecting the Browse tab at the bottom of the app, then tapping Downloads. Tap a file to open it, or long-press on it to select the file and delete, share or rename it. 

For all of the customization options, themes, decorative apps, organization, and options that Android devices offer (with more and more coming along every day), you would think that it would be quite easy to set up a quickly accessible filing system for your PDF Files, or any other files for that matter.

Unless you have directed the PDF file somewhere else when you saved it or downloaded a new, default folder application, your PDF files will go to your Download folder, which is found under your smartphone (smart device) internal storage.

It can sometimes be a bit complicated trying to track down your PDF files or any files within the Android’s architecture. It’s the same with Apple phones, and it’s almost as if the designers of the OS on these two systems decided that it would be best to make it obscure and complicated. 

Table of Contents

1. Find Your Downloaded PDF Files
2. Finding PDF Files in the Documents Folder
3. Different Strokes for Different Browsers
4. What if Your Android Can’t Read PDF Files?
5. Conclusion

Find Your Downloaded PDF Files

Whenever you download a file off of the internet, PDF files, in particular, up and vanish as soon as they are downloaded, with little indication as to whether or not they went into a particular file or what. 

It’s not like Windows or Safari, where the default download location pops up, and you can choose to download it there, in another folder, or you can create an entirely new folder complete with a new name before committing to the download. With Android, as with most smartphones, you have to go hunting for it. 

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the Android apps.
2. Search through the myriad of app icons until you come across either “My Files” or “File Manager”.
3. Once you open the My Files app, select “Downloads”.
4. Your PDF file should be here since your Android is probably defaulted to sending all downloaded files to this location.

Finding PDF Files in the Documents Folder

Most files go to the document folder, even if, for some reason, PDF files do not. However, if you have arranged it as your default folder in the past, they may end up there. You need to open up the File app on your Android device. 

You’ll see about six different apps or categories under the File App, and one of them will be “Documents”. You can open it up, and if your files are being saved there, you’ll find it no problem.

Different Strokes for Different Browsers

Not really, at least not with Opera, Google Chrome, and Firefox. Those three browsers will generally save all of your online PDF file downloads to the “Downloads” folder in your internal drive.

However, it can be tricky, especially if you are using an SD card. You can download PDF files to the SD card, thinking that you are downloading it to your external, when it’s going to the default location in the internal storage space. 

You have to manually change the route to your external SD card if you’re going to save it there. Since most people who are downloading PDF files on their Androids want to be able to move that data around with a higher degree of portability, they’ll want it on their external SD card. 

However, when you get into different browsers, the default settings for those may be different. Since there’s no way of knowing, as of this writing, without purchasing an Android smartphone and downloading all of those browsers to test, you would have to go into the settings of each browser and find out. 

There are a lot of mobile browsers out there, including the Brave browser, Duck Duck Go, Presearch, Aloha, Microsoft Edge, Neeva, Phoenix, Cake Web, Yandex, Safari, Dolphin, and so many more that it’s a bit ridiculous. 

Jumping on those browsers and downloading PDF files may send them to a completely different location from your internal storage, download folder. 

What if Your Android Can’t Read PDF Files?

Then they will download, but you won’t be able to open them. Your Android should be equipped with the ability to open and read PDF files. If you have an older Android device, perhaps that’s not the case. 

Your best bet in that instance would be to download an app that allows you to download and open PDF files. Adobe Acrobat and PDF Converter are both popular apps, with Adobe holding the edge on most downloads and popularity on Android devices. 

Either way, both will do the trick. 

Conclusion

For the most part, you won’t have to worry about where the PDF files go since the default setting will send them into the Internal Storage on the Downloads folder there. However, if you want to change that, you certainly can.