ipadOS downloads go directly to iCloud Drive folder, while iOS downloads stay on local device I recently downloaded a file to my iPhone and noticed that even though I have iCloud Drive turned on, the file did not automatically sync to iCloud Drive. Conversely, when I downloaded the same file on my iPad, the file was immediately uploaded to iCloud Drive. Why the discrepancy?
There is a setting for the Safari download location in the iOS/iPadOS Settings app.

Settings app > Safari > Downloads

Your iPhone is probably set to a local download folder on the iPhone, while your iPad is set toe the download folder within the iCloud "folder".

Can you check in the "Files" app if the downloaded file on your iPhone lives in the "On my iPhone" location?