What is the DOWNLOAD file format?
A file with the .download extension contains partially downloaded data of a file whose download process was paused or interrupted. It may appear in your default downloads folder or whichever folder you chose when starting the transfer.
The .download extension is used by several types of software:
- Web browsers - most notably Safari on macOS, and some older download utilities
- P2P applications
- Download managers
Note that Firefox now typically uses the .part extension for incomplete downloads, and Chrome switched to the .crdownload extension years ago.
On macOS, Safari's .download item is actually a package directory (a bundle that Finder displays as a single file). Right-clicking it and choosing *Show Package Contents* reveals the partial data alongside a property-list file that records the source URL and byte progress needed to resume. An empty or near-empty .download means the transfer had barely started when it was interrupted.
The .download suffix is typically either appended to the full target filename (e.g., movie.mp4.download) or it temporarily replaces the file's original extension for the duration of the transfer. Once the download completes, the browser or manager removes the suffix automatically.
If the download was stopped before completion, it is sometimes possible to resume it by double-clicking the .download file in the originating application. For certain file types - such as video, audio, or ZIP archives - a partial file may still be partially usable: rename it by removing the .download suffix, restoring the original extension, and open it with the appropriate program. Results will vary depending on how much data was received.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA .download file cannot execute and is exactly as risky as the file being downloaded - no more, no less. The suffix (and, in Safari, the package wrapper) keeps the OS from treating an incomplete file as runnable, which is part of its purpose. Two practical notes: if you didn't initiate the download that created it, treat the underlying source file as suspicious and delete the item; and orphaned .download items left from old or cancelled downloads are safe to delete to reclaim disk space.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open DOWNLOAD files
Windows2 apps
VLC media player
Open-source For partial media only: drag the .download into VLC to play whatever portion downloaded. 
Web browser (re-download)
Free On Windows a .download is just an unfinished file from another system/tool; there is no native opener - re-download the file in your browser to get a complete copy. 
macOS2 apps
VLC media player
Open-source For partial video/audio only: right-click the .download → Show Package Contents and drag the data file into VLC to play the portion that arrived. 
Safari
Built-in Open the Downloads list (toolbar arrow or View → Show Downloads), find the interrupted item and click the resume (circular-arrow) button; if it can't resume, re-download from the source. 
Linux1 app
VLC media player
Open-source Plays the downloaded portion of a partial media file; otherwise re-download to obtain the complete file. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Incomplete copy of the target file in progress - no file format of its own; byte content matches the target file type |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| macOS implementation | Safari stores a .download as a package directory (bundle); Finder shows it as a single item, but it contains the partial data file and a property-list metadata file |
| File signature / magic bytes | None specific to .download; leading bytes match those of the target file type received so far (e.g., a partial MP4 starts with an MP4 header) |
| Naming convention | Appended to the full target filename (e.g., video.mp4.download) or replaces the original extension temporarily during the transfer |
| Resume metadata (macOS Safari) | A property-list (.plist) file inside the bundle records the source URL, downloaded byte offset, and HTTP ETag or Content-Range values needed to resume |
| Completion behavior | The .download suffix is removed automatically by the application once the transfer finishes successfully |
| Primary creator | Apple Safari on macOS is the most common producer; also generated by various download managers and P2P clients - no single standard owner |
| Related incomplete-download extensions | .crdownload (Chrome/Chromium), .part (Firefox, wget), .partial (some download managers), .opdownload (Opera) |
| File content | Bytes of the target file received up to the point of interruption; an empty or very small .download means the transfer had barely started |
| Resumability | Depends on server support for HTTP range requests (Content-Range header); Safari on macOS stores the necessary metadata inside the bundle to enable resuming |
| Partial usability | Certain formats such as MP4 video, MP3 audio, or ZIP archives may be partially readable after renaming with the correct original extension |
| Container structure (macOS) | Directory bundle; choosing Show Package Contents in Finder reveals the partial data file and the accompanying metadata plist |
| Produced on | macOS (Safari, some download managers); Windows and Linux (download managers, P2P clients, and older browser versions) |
| Released | Safari has used the .download bundle on macOS for many years; also produced by some download managers and P2P tools |
DOWNLOAD conversions
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