How can I tell which app downloaded a file on Mac?

macOS stores quarantine metadata on every downloaded file that includes the app name. AutoShelf reads this data and can match files by the app that downloaded them, such as Safari, Chrome, Arc, Slack, or Firefox.

Which apps does AutoShelf detect as download sources?

AutoShelf detects any app that macOS records in the quarantine metadata. This includes Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, Edge, Slack, Finder, and any other app that downloads files through the standard macOS mechanism.

Can I sort Safari downloads separately from Chrome downloads?

Yes. You can create separate rules for each browser. For example, move all Safari downloads to a Review folder and all Chrome downloads to a Work folder. Each rule matches the app name exactly.

Does this work with Slack and other apps?

Yes. AutoShelf can detect files downloaded by Slack, any browser, Finder, and other apps. You can create rules that route Slack downloads to a Work folder, browser downloads to Downloads, or any combination.

// downloaded by

Find Which App Downloaded a File on Mac

Was that file from Safari or Chrome? Did Slack put it there? AutoShelf reads the quarantine metadata macOS attaches to every download and identifies the browser or app. Then it routes files by who downloaded them.

Download from App Store Free with one rule. Unlock everything for $19.99 one-time. macOS 13+

// the problem

Downloads from every app, dumped in one folder

Safari, Chrome, Arc, Slack, email clients all save files to the same Downloads folder with no way to tell them apart.
You switch browsers for work and personal use, and files from both end up mixed together.
Finder has no column for "downloaded by" so you can't sort by app.
Slack downloads get buried under browser downloads, making work files hard to find.
You can't filter Downloads by browser without digging into each file's metadata manually.

// how it works

macOS knows which app downloaded each file

Create an app rule

Set the downloading app name, like "Safari" or "Slack", and choose a destination folder for files from that app.

AutoShelf reads the quarantine data

macOS stores which app downloaded each file in its quarantine metadata. AutoShelf reads this and matches it against your rules.

Files sort by app

Safari downloads go to one folder, Slack to another, Arc to another. Every app gets its own destination.

// supported apps

Any app that downloads files

Browsers

Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, Edge, and any other browser. Route each browser's downloads to a different folder.

Communication apps

Slack, Discord, Telegram, and other apps that download files. Send work downloads to a Work folder automatically.

Combine with file type

Narrow rules by combining the downloading app with file type. For example, route image files from Safari to Screenshots, but PDFs from Safari to Documents.

Tag by source app

Instead of moving files, add Finder tags based on the downloading app. Tag Slack files as "Work" or Safari files as "To Review" for easy filtering.

// faq

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell which app downloaded a file on Mac?

macOS stores quarantine metadata on every downloaded file that includes the app name. AutoShelf reads this data and can match files by the app that downloaded them, such as Safari, Chrome, Arc, Slack, or Firefox.
Which apps does AutoShelf detect as download sources?

AutoShelf detects any app that macOS records in the quarantine metadata. This includes Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, Edge, Slack, Finder, and any other app that downloads files through the standard macOS mechanism.
Can I sort Safari downloads separately from Chrome downloads?

Yes. You can create separate rules for each browser. For example, move all Safari downloads to a Review folder and all Chrome downloads to a Work folder. Each rule matches the app name exactly.
Does this work with Slack and other apps?

Yes. AutoShelf can detect files downloaded by Slack, any browser, Finder, and other apps. You can create rules that route Slack downloads to a Work folder, browser downloads to Downloads, or any combination.