to download
Loading your saved state.
to download
To copy data such as a file, program, or video from the internet or a network onto your own computer or another device.
Ich muss noch die neueste Version der App herunterladen.
I still have to download the latest version of the app.
to unload
To move a load or cargo down from an elevated position, for example from a vehicle, and unload it. This literal meaning is rare today.
Die Möbelpacker mussten den schweren Schrank vom LKW herunterladen.
The movers had to unload the heavy cabinet from the truck.
'Herunterladen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'herunter' goes at the end; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together; and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
Ich lade die Fotos später herunter.
I'll download the photos later.
The verb consists of the direction 'herunter' (down) and 'laden' (to load). The opposite is 'hochladen' (to upload), which makes the logic of the prefixes 'herunter-' and 'hoch-' clear.
Du kannst deine Dokumente in die Cloud hochladen und von überall herunterladen.
You can upload your documents to the cloud and download them from anywhere.
In a digital context, 'herunterladen' is often used with the prepositions 'aus' or 'von' to specify the source. The object you download is in the accusative.
Man kann den Film legal aus dem Internet herunterladen.
You can legally download the film from the internet.
The literal meaning of unloading a physical load is very rare today and sounds outdated. In everyday language, 'abladen' (to unload) or 'ausladen' (to unload) is more commonly used.
Der Kranführer musste die schwere Kiste vom Schiff herunterladen.
The crane operator had to unload the heavy crate from the ship.
to save / store
Herunterladen means transferring a file from the internet or a network to your own device. Speichern means storing it permanently in a chosen location. When you download a file, it is usually saved as well, but the verbs emphasize different steps.
Ich lade die Datei von der Website auf meinen Computer herunter.
I download the file from the website to my computer.
Nach der Übertragung speichere ich die Datei im Ordner Dokumente.
After the transfer, I save the file in the Documents folder.
