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Why can't I view my downloads in the downloads folder? (Android 4.2.1 Jellybean)

  • 3 replies
  • 64 have this problem
  • 227 views
  • Last reply by Ted Curran

William
William
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I just got the new Google Nexus 4 and have been running Firefox mobile as my primary browser but I have recently discovered a problem. When I download a file (such as a PDF) off of a site to read with Android's quickoffice, no file goes into Android's downloads app. I assumed the file was only bring temporarily bring downloaded for a one time view but when I tried this same process with Chrome mobile, a file was put in the downloads app. I installed a third party for browser for my phone and looked in the downloads folder it showed for my phone and discovered the files I had been downloading with Firefox in it. It seems Firefox doesn't display files downloaded in the downloads app provided with Android which is a problem because that means without a third party for browser, you can't get rid of them. (Petty for sizes but they would eventually fill your phones storage). Is a downloads folder provided with Firefox? Can the downloads be viewed in the stock downloads app?

I just got the new Google Nexus 4 and have been running Firefox mobile as my primary browser but I have recently discovered a problem. When I download a file (such as a PDF) off of a site to read with Android's quickoffice, no file goes into Android's downloads app. I assumed the file was only bring temporarily bring downloaded for a one time view but when I tried this same process with Chrome mobile, a file was put in the downloads app. I installed a third party for browser for my phone and looked in the downloads folder it showed for my phone and discovered the files I had been downloading with Firefox in it. It seems Firefox doesn't display files downloaded in the downloads app provided with Android which is a problem because that means without a third party for browser, you can't get rid of them. (Petty for sizes but they would eventually fill your phones storage). Is a downloads folder provided with Firefox? Can the downloads be viewed in the stock downloads app?

Chosen solution

Using the stock download app required some additional permissions. We did not want to add the the following permission to the app.

DOWNLOAD FILES WITHOUT NOTIFICATION

Allows the app to download files through the download manager without any notification being shown to the user.

Downloads can be viewed using a file browser. I personally like OI File Manager as it does exactly what I need and nothing more.

Read this answer in context 👍 156

All Replies (3)

Kevin
Kevin
  • Moderator
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Chosen Solution

Using the stock download app required some additional permissions. We did not want to add the the following permission to the app.

DOWNLOAD FILES WITHOUT NOTIFICATION

Allows the app to download files through the download manager without any notification being shown to the user.

Downloads can be viewed using a file browser. I personally like OI File Manager as it does exactly what I need and nothing more.

William
William Question owner
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Thanks for the prompt reply! I'm using that app now as well.

Great browser, will continue using it as my primary one.

Wondering if an internal downloads folder will be included in future Firefox mobile versions. (Something like that app but just the downloads folder.)

Ted Curran
Ted Curran
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This doesn't tell me which directory to look for downloads in, and why they don't appear in the default Android downloads folder.

The solution you propose is fine for power users who aren't afraid to use a file manager, but I think an average non-technical user A) won't notice that there's an extra permission, and B) will wonder why they can't find their downloads in the stock Downloads app. Please consider revising this oversight. Thanks-