If Firefox shows a download prompt or opens a downloaded file with another application, you can change the action for its content type to Save File. If an MP3 or video link opens directly in a Firefox tab as playable media, that setting may not apply: Firefox treats some media links as pages to play rather than files to download. Mozilla's file-action guide makes this distinction.

Change an action for a downloaded file type

  1. Open Firefox's menu and select Settings.
  2. Find Files and Applications, then Applications. The exact position can vary with Firefox version.
  3. Search the Content Type column for the media type involved. A file extension can have more than one content type, so use the entry that matches the actual download.
  4. In the Action column, choose Save File. Choose Always ask if you want to decide each time.
  5. Retry a link that Firefox previously treated as a download and check the result in the browser's Downloads list.

Firefox uses the media or MIME type sent by a website to choose an action. A missing type in the Applications list is possible; it does not mean the file is unsupported. Mozilla explains how new entries are added in its download-action documentation.

When audio or video opens in a tab

A playable media page can bypass the download-action preference. Look for a download option in Firefox's media player, or use the link's context menu if Save Link As is available. Do not assume that changing an MP3 entry under Applications will force every embedded audio player to save a file.

When you use CYBROX, the first Download button inspects the public link. After choosing an available format, select download file. CYBROX shows download started only when Firefox receives the response, but it does not retain a successful-download history and cannot verify that Firefox kept a file on your disk.

Find or retry a saved file

Open Firefox's Downloads list with Ctrl+J on Windows or Cmd+J on Mac. From a completed item, use the folder control to reveal its location. If the item failed, check whether Firefox offers Resume. Otherwise, return to the original public link and start a fresh transfer once.

Do not rename a file that Firefox is still downloading. Wait for the browser to finish before testing playback. If the media file saves but will not play, see the playback troubleshooting guide rather than changing its download action again.