In iOS 13 and iPadOS 13, Safari now has a built-in download manager. Yes, you heard it right. Apple finally added a dedicated download manager to its mobile OS. From now on, you will be able to download any files directly from Safari to your local drive. This eliminates the need for a third-party download manager.
Both iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 are now available in beta versions and I tested out the feature. In the section below, I will show you the steps on how to download a file directly from Safari in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13.
Also read: 5 Things to Look Forward to With iOS 13
Note: The beta versions are mainly targeted at developers for testing purposes. If you want to install iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 in the current beta form, we recommend you make a backup of your device before moving ahead.
First, How to Download Files Using Safari in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13
The process is pretty simple, but it may be a little bit confusing to some newcomers.
Step one: Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad, then open a web-page that contains a download link and tap on it.
Step two: You will be asked to download the file from Safari and hit the Download button.
Step three: You should see a Download button in the top left corner of the Safari app. Tap on it and you will be presented with all available downloads (You can download multiple files at once).
Step four: If you want to pause the download, hit the X button. Once the download is complete, tap on it and the file will show up in the Files app. From here, tap on the file to open it in a compatible app.
Files app now support external storage device, meaning that you can transfer a file to an external hard drive or sideload it onto the Amazon Kindle.
How to Share Files Between iPhone and Amazon Kindle With iOS 13
As mentioned above, Files app for iPhone and iPad supports external storage, making transferring files across devices much easier. Let’s take a look at how this works. Before we begin, you will need the right accessory. In this guide, we are using the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
This is something you really need as it has an extra lightning port in front. It also serves as a mini powered USB hub for your external devices.
Buy: Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter
Step one: Plug your Kindle into the USB port of the Adapter and the Kindle will automatically enter the USB Drive Mode.
Step two: You should see the Kindle folder in the Files app on your iPhone. Now just simply go to a website that contains a download link for your book and then download it
Step three: Once the download is complete, go the Downloads folder (you can change Safari’s download folder) in the Files app and locate the file. From here, copy the file and paste it into the Kindle folder.
Step four: Unplug the Kindle and you should see your newly-added book in the Library section.
Download a File Without Opening it on an iPhone or iPad
There is a Peek feature that allows you to quickly download a Safari file without even opening it. To do this, tap and hold on the download link and select the Download Linked File option from the drop-down menu. This also works when you download a large file in the background.
Wrapping Up
Safari did get a big improvement in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 with the introduction of a desktop mode, download manager, and mouse support. With those cool features, Safari for iPhone and iPad is closing its gap with macOS counterpart.
Don’t forget to share with us how your experience with iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 has been so far in the comments below.
