Where AirDrop files go on your Mac, and how to find them

Why it happens

AirDrop saves ordinary files, like documents, photos and videos, straight into Downloads. When someone else sends you photos, you can also choose Open in Photos, which puts them in your Photos library instead. Some items aren't really files, so they open in the app that handles them: a web link in your web browser, a contact card in Contacts, and a note or a Notes scan in Notes.

How to fix it

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock, then choose Go > Downloads from the menu bar. Option-Command-L does the same.

   Finder›Go›Downloads

2. Sort by Date Added so the newest items are at the top. Choose View > Sort By > Date Added.

   Finder›View›Sort By›Date Added

3. Not in Downloads? Then it went to an app. If someone else sent you photos and you clicked Open in Photos, they're in your Photos library. A note or a scanned document is in Notes, and a link opened in your web browser.

4. Want the file somewhere else? Drag it from Downloads to any folder you like. There's no setting to change where AirDrop saves.

Still not fixed?

1. Search for it. Press Command-Space, type part of the file name, and Spotlight shows where it is.

2. Look in Recents in Finder. It lists the files you've used lately, wherever they're stored.

   Finder›Go›Recents

3. Check the transfer finished. If someone else sent it, you had to click Accept on your Mac, and if it was declined or the devices moved apart, nothing was saved. Ask them to send it again with both devices awake and close together.

4. If AirDrop says the transfer worked but the file never shows up anywhere, contact Apple Support.