Why does Safari not download files after Sequoia update?

For the record seeing this on downloading to SMB shares and can use the "show package contents" workaround, but it's not efficient.

Forums are for users to help each other, Apple devs are not scouring them for bug reports. If you want to make sure Apple knows about this, send some feedback:

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MMG83 wrote: "I am now on Safari 18.3..."

The current version of Safari is 18.5 and macOS Sequoia is 15.5.

Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

MMG83 wrote: "...Would be great if Apple support could assist and resolve the issue by giving a useful answer."

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After three days of pulling my hair out since the update and not knowing why Safari can't move files after a download is initiated, I have come up with a solution. To clarify, I could not download any files from Safari since the Sequoia 15.4.1 update on my Macbook Pro 13-inch 2019. (Yes, apparently approaching dinosaur status!)

1. By miracle I was able to download the Brave browser, also when other downloads were not working. From here everything worked normally. I don't know why this download functioned, but I saved it to Macintosh HD -> Users -> my personal folder (my name)
2. I went back to Safari and changed the File Download Location to "Ask for each download."
3. I didn't before the upgrade nor do now have any extensions in Safari.
4. Now downloads are also working on Safari to this same file folder. HOWEVER, it still shows that it "can't move the file" in the downloads dropbox from the Safari Browser.

I hope this helps!

You’ll need to review what 3rd party system modifications you have installed. The most likely candidate is some kind of file-sync system.

I also get this using Safari 18.0.1 on macOS 14.7 Sonoma, downloading to the built in drive on my M1 MBP.

Interestingly, if I enable my VPN the same downloads complete and are moved successfully.

But the point is to save to network storage, not to the downloads folder or anything within the downloads folder. Does your solution allow saving to network storage?

Exactly the same here!

Any response or fix yet? I am on 15.1.1 (24B91) Macbook pro M3 and im still can't download to external drives and NAS.

This is not related to Sequoia. I'm using Sonoma 14.7.1 and Safari 18.1.1 and I've the exact same issue, so the problem is in Safari.

Lucky I found this. Now I have a work round.

Apple still needs to fix it though - it's been frustrating me for months.

Reported to Apple via the Safari Feedback link. Others, please report too!

I also have this issue. It started immediately after updating to Sequia 15.1.1. Other browsers work fine. Downloading to the Mac itself works fine. I connect to a Synology NAS using SMB.

It is an unacceptable situation - and no statements from Apple as to awareness of the problem or a fix. Everyone affected should give feedback to Apple.

It happened to me, too, when I upgraded to Sequoia.

"show package contents" is a good work around... I just duplicate the file and remove the ".download" from the end. So annoying though.