Guide

How to organize the Downloads folder automatically on a Mac

macOS can run a Shortcut or a Folder Action when files arrive in Downloads, but you build the sorting rules yourself; an app such as Omaculate comes with ready-made rules and shows you the plan before moving anything.

The built-in way

Use a Shortcuts automation (macOS 26)

  1. Open the Shortcuts app and click Automation in the sidebar, then the + button.
  2. Choose the Folder trigger, pick Downloads, and set it to run when files are added.
  3. Add actions that check each file (for example "If" the file extension is "pdf") and "Move" it to a folder.

Shortcuts runs without asking, and there is no undo for what it moved. Test it on a copy of a few files first.

Another way

Use a Folder Action with Automator

  1. Open Automator and choose New Document › Folder Action.
  2. At the top, set "Folder Action receives files and folders added to" Downloads.
  3. Add "Filter Finder Items" to pick the files, then "Move Finder Items" to send them to a folder. Save it.

Another way

Keep a Smart Folder instead

  1. In Finder, choose File › New Smart Folder and search Downloads by Kind or name.
  2. Save it to the sidebar. It lists matching files without moving them.

Questions

Can macOS sort my Downloads folder by itself?

Not out of the box. You can build a Shortcuts automation or an Automator Folder Action that moves files when they arrive, but you write the rules yourself.

Can I change where my browser saves downloads?

Yes. In Safari, choose Safari › Settings › General and change "File download location". Chrome and Firefox have the same option in their settings.

More guides

Let Oma have a look at your Downloads.

Free for one folder. Everything free for 3 days, then Grand Oma is $14.99, once.

Coming soon to the Mac App Store Needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later