How do I mark an Etsy digital download order as complete in the app?

Hi! Congrats on your first sale—if your listing is set up as an instant digital download, Etsy delivers it automatically once the payment clears, and you don’t manually “mark it complete.” The order will basically complete on its own because there’s nothing to ship.

A couple quick clarifications so you know what you’re looking at:

1) Instant Download (most common)

• You upload the file(s) to the Etsy listing ahead of time.
• After purchase, Etsy emails the buyer and adds a Download files button in their Purchases.
• On your side, there usually isn’t a “complete order” step like there is for physical shipping—because Etsy is fulfilling it automatically.

2) Made-to-order / custom digital (you deliver after purchase)
If you sold a personalized file (name/date/custom text, etc.), Etsy treats it differently: you need to upload the finished file to the order and then tap Complete order so Etsy releases the download to the buyer.

If you don’t see that option in the Etsy mobile app, it’s usually because the app is limited in what it shows for some digital workflows. The safest fix is:

• Open Etsy in a mobile browser or on a computer (Seller Dashboard → Orders)
• Open the order → upload the finished digital file(s) → Complete order

Should you send the file via Etsy Messages?
Only as a backup or for communication. For normal digital downloads, you want the file delivered through Etsy’s digital download system, because that’s where buyers expect to retrieve it and it keeps everything tied to the Etsy order. If you message it instead, buyers often get confused (and you lose the “Download files” convenience on their end).

If you tell me whether your listing was set as Instant Download or Made-to-order, I can walk you through the exact taps/screens you should see.