Telegram Desktop stores manual downloads in your chosen folder and keeps auto-downloaded media inside its local cache.
If you’ve saved a document or video from chats and can’t find it, the answer depends on two places: the download folder you set for files you save manually, and the cache where the app keeps media for quick viewing. This guide shows quick paths for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus how to change the save location and clear space without losing anything in the cloud.
Quick Answer: Two Locations You Need To Check
1) Your download directory. When you click “Save As” or when auto-save to disk is enabled, files land in a regular folder on your computer. By default, many installs place saved items in a “Telegram Desktop” subfolder inside the system Downloads directory. You can change this path in Settings > Advanced > Downloads. See Telegram’s own tip about checking the Downloads folder and using Manage Local Storage for space control (Storage Usage on Desktop).
2) The app cache (tdata). Media you view in chats is cached locally so it opens fast the next time. That cache lives in the app’s data directory, often called tdata. On Windows, a common base is %AppData%\Telegram Desktop; on Linux, a frequent base is ~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop. The official Telegram Desktop repository and developer threads reference this structure and the download path setting (Download path option (repo)).
Find Telegram Desktop Downloads On Windows, Mac, And Linux
You’ll move faster if you search the standard spots first, then switch to app settings if needed. Here’s a practical flow by platform.
Windows: Typical Paths And Fast Checks
Saved files (manual “Save As”): Open File Explorer and look in Downloads. Many setups create a folder named Telegram Desktop there: C:\Users\<YourName>\Downloads\Telegram Desktop\. If you chose a custom location earlier, it will be wherever you pointed it in Telegram’s settings.
Cache (media you just viewed): Press Win + R, paste %AppData%\Telegram Desktop, and press Enter. Inside, the tdata folder holds cache and session data. Don’t prune random files here unless you know what you’re doing; use Telegram’s storage controls instead to keep things tidy (Settings > Advanced > Manage local storage).
If you installed the Microsoft Store edition: the folder structure can differ, and the older builds didn’t show the download path control the same way as the classic build. If you don’t see the option, save files with “Save As” to pick a path per item, or install the standard package from Telegram’s site for fuller controls.
macOS: Finder Paths You’ll Use Most
Saved files: Open Finder and check Downloads. Many users see a “Telegram Desktop” subfolder there: /Users/<yourname>/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/. If you’ve ever changed the target in Telegram, that custom folder takes priority.
Cache: Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, paste ~/Library/Application Support/Telegram Desktop/, and open tdata. You’ll find cached media that Telegram can fetch again from the cloud even if you clear space locally.
Linux: Common Directories Across Distros
Saved files: Look in ~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/ if you never changed the setting. If you picked a custom directory, it will be exactly where you pointed the app.
Cache: Check ~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop/tdata/. For Snap/Flatpak packaging, paths vary under each sandbox. Use the app’s own storage panel to clear space rather than deleting random cache files by hand.
How To Change The Folder Where Files Are Saved
You can set a specific directory for files you save from chats. This is handy when you want a dedicated work folder, a larger drive, or an external SSD.
Set A New Download Path
- Open Telegram Desktop.
- Go to Settings > Advanced.
- Under Downloads, pick a folder. You can also toggle “Ask download path for each file” if you’d rather choose per save. The official repo documents that this control exists in the standard build and can behave differently in the Store edition (repo thread).
Tip: If you work with lots of large videos or archives, point this to a roomy drive so you don’t fill C:/. Many power users keep a “Tele-Imports” folder with subfolders by project or channel name.
How The Cache Works (And Why It’s Safe To Clear)
Telegram keeps media you view in a local cache so photos open instantly and scrub bars feel snappy. That cache can grow over time on desktops. The good news: media also lives in Telegram’s cloud, so clearing local cache frees space without losing the file forever. Re-opening the chat re-downloads the item on demand.
Clear Space With Manage Local Storage
- Open Settings > Advanced > Manage local storage.
- Review how much space photos, videos, voice notes, and files take.
- Set a size cap or auto-remove period for cached media.
- Use Clear all to wipe cache safely. Telegram can fetch items again from the cloud when needed. Telegram’s own tips page explains these controls and points you back to the Downloads folder for items you saved to disk (Storage Usage on Desktop).
Troubleshooting: “I Saved It, But I Still Can’t Find It”
Lost track of a file after hitting save? Use this checklist.
Check The Chat Actions
- If you clicked Save As, repeat the action and read the path shown in the save dialog. That’s the exact folder from last time.
- If you clicked a quick save button and nothing asked for a path, open Settings > Advanced > Downloads to see the current default directory.
Search By File Type Or Name
- Windows: press Win + S, type part of the filename or
*.pdf,*.mp4, etc. - macOS: open Finder, use the search box, add a Kind filter.
- Linux: use your file manager’s search or run
find ~/Downloads -iname "*keyword*".
Look In The Usual Telegram Folders
- Windows:
C:\Users\<You>\Downloads\Telegram Desktop\for saved files;%AppData%\Telegram Desktop\tdata\for cache. - macOS:
~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/for saved files;~/Library/Application Support/Telegram Desktop/tdata/for cache. - Linux:
~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/for saved files;~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop/tdata/for cache.
Store Edition Quirks
If you installed Telegram from the Microsoft Store, older builds handled the download path control differently from the standard installer. If the Downloads setting isn’t present, use “Save As” to choose a folder per file or switch to the classic installer from Telegram’s site for fuller path controls.
Move Saved Files To Another Drive
Working on a small SSD? Shift your download path to a larger drive so future saves land there automatically.
Pick A New Target And Migrate Existing Files
- Create a folder on the large drive, e.g.,
D:\Tele-Downloads\. - Open Settings > Advanced > Downloads and set the new folder.
- Move old items: drag files from your old “Telegram Desktop” folder to the new one with your file manager. This doesn’t affect chats; it just cleans up your disk layout.
Privacy Notes And Safe Cleanup
Saved files behave like any other file on your computer: they’re outside the app and visible to your OS and any software with access to that folder. Cache files live under tdata and help the app run smoothly; clearing them is safe since Telegram can fetch media again from the cloud. If you need a fresh start, use the app’s storage controls rather than deleting random files inside tdata.
Default Paths By Platform (Quick Reference)
The table below lists common locations. Your setup can differ if you picked a custom folder or use a sandboxed package (Snap/Flatpak/Store). Use the app’s settings to confirm your current path.
| OS | Saved Files (Manual) | Cache Base (tdata) |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | C:\Users\<You>\Downloads\Telegram Desktop\ (unless you changed it) |
%AppData%\Telegram Desktop\tdata\ |
| macOS | ~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/ |
~/Library/Application Support/Telegram Desktop/tdata/ |
| Linux | ~/Downloads/Telegram Desktop/ |
~/.local/share/TelegramDesktop/tdata/ |
FAQ-Style Fixes (No Fluff)
Files Keep Asking For A Location Each Time
Open Settings > Advanced > Downloads and turn off “Ask download path for each file.” Some builds remember the last selection; if your edition behaves differently, set a default folder to skip prompts. The behavior is discussed in the Telegram Desktop repo threads (ask path flag).
Telegram Cache Grew Too Large
Use Settings > Advanced > Manage local storage to cap size or set auto-remove periods. Clear cached media here; your chats and cloud media stay intact. Telegram’s own tip sheet explains these switches clearly (Manage Local Storage).
I Need Portable Behavior
Telegram offers portable builds on Windows. If you run a portable copy from a folder outside Program Files, its data can live alongside the executable. Keep the whole directory on your external drive to move both app and data together.
What To Use Going Forward
Pick a permanent folder on a spacious disk for all saved items. Keep auto-remove enabled for cache so the app cleans itself. When you need to archive a big drop from a channel, save it to your designated folder rather than leaving it in cache. That rhythm gives you easy retrieval, fast load times, and a tidy system.