Downloads are files and content received from another digital device or a website. You may download online pictures from the internet, PDFs from cloud services, files from other devices, and more. If you accidentally delete important downloads or your downloads folder suddenly disappears, there are methods for recovering them on digital devices. Our guide explains the proven methods for retrieving downloads on Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android, and Windows.

Part 1: Ultimate Way to Retrieve Downloads on PC/Mac

Apeaksoft Data Recovery is the ultimate option for recovering deleted files from Downloads on any device using a computer. It is able to scan your hard drives or mobile phones deeply to discover lost download files.

How to Retrieve Downloads on a PC

Step 1. Scan Downloads

Launch the best file recovery software after you install it on your PC. There is also a version for Mac. Go to the Hard Drive Recovery tab and select the drive where your Downloads folder is stored. If you want to recover downloads on an external device, head to USB/SD Card Recovery and select it. Click the Start Scan button to begin scanning your downloads.

Step 2. Preview deleted files

When the download scanning finishes, go to the Path List tab and choose the Downloads folder. Here you can preview the download files.

Step 3. Retrieve downloads

Select the files you want to retrieve and click the Recover button. Set an output folder and confirm the recovery of the download file.

Part 2: How to Retrieve Downloads on Macc

How to Retrieve Downloads on Mac from Trash

The Trash folder is the first place on your Mac where you can recover deleted files from Downloads. If you remove a file, it will go to the Trash folder and be stored there before you empty your Trash.

Step 1. Open the Trash folder from the Dock bar.

Step 2. Find the deleted download file.

Step 3. Right-click on the file and choose Put Back.

Step 4. Run the Finder app and navigate to the Downloads folder.

Step 5. Check if the deleted file is back.

How to Recover Deleted Downloads on Mac via Time Machine

Time Machine is the built-in backup feature on Mac. It enables you to retrieve downloads on a Mac if you have set up Time Machine on your device. Here are the steps to get your lost download files back:

Step 1. Open the Finder app and go to the Downloads folder.

Step 2. Click the Time Machine button on the top menu bar to restore Mac from Time Machine.

Tip: If you cannot find Time Machine, press Command and Space Bar to launch Spotlight and search for Time Machine.

Step 3. Press the upward and downward arrows to find the deleted file.

Step 4. Finally, click on the Restore button to restore the deleted file.

Part 3: How to Recover Downloads on PC

How to Recover Downloads on PC from the Recycle Bin

Similar to Trash, the Recycle Bin is the Windows folder for storing deleted files. Therefore, it is where you can recover deleted files from the Downloads folder on PCs. The prerequisite is that you haven’t emptied your Recycle Bin.

Step 1. Double-click the Recycle Bin application on your desktop.

Tip: If you cannot find it, open a File Explorer and choose Recycle Bin.

Step 2. Locate the deleted file or files.

Step 3. Select all files you want to recover.

Step 4. Right-click on one selected file and choose Restore.

Step 5. Then, go back to the Downloads folder and check the recovered files.

How to Retrieve Downloads via Backup and Restore

Windows 11/10 comes with a one-stop backup solution, Windows Backup. It helps you backup many things, including Downloads. If you have backed up Downloads before deleting files, it allows you to retrieve deleted downloads.

Step 1. Open the Control Panel program from the Start menu.

Step 2. Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 3. Locate the Restore section and click Restore my files.

Tip: If you back up your files to an external drive, plug it into your PC.

Step 4. Click the Browse for folders button and select the Downloads folder from the backup.

Step 5. Click Next to start retrieving deleted downloads.

Part 4: How to Recover Downloads on iPhone

The Recently Deleted folder in iCloud Drive stores deleted download files for up to 30 days. If you have recently deleted downloaded files, this is a quick way to retrieve them on an iPad or iPhone.

Step 1. Open the Files app from your home screen.

Step 2. Go to the Browse tab and choose the Recently Deleted folder.

Step 3. Tap Select and touch the deleted files you want to retrieve.

Step 4. Tap the Recover button.

Part 5: How to Recover Downloads on Android

To retrieve downloads on Android, you need a Google backup. Most Android users sign in to their Google accounts on their devices. If you have turned on Google Backup, you can restore deleted files.

Step 1. Factory reset your phone.

Step 2. When your phone restarts, set it up as a new device.

Step 3. Tap Next when you are asked to Copy apps and data.

Step 4. Select Can’t use old device.

Step 5. Sign in to your Google account, and choose the backup.

Step 6. Tap Restore to retrieve downloads on your Android phone.

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