What Mega's read limits actually are

Mega is a cloud storage service that lets you store files and share them with others. When you read files from Mega, the service does impose limits — but the limits depend on whether you have a free account or a paid one, and they reset over time rather than being permanent.

Free accounts on Mega can read up to 5 gigabytes every 6 hours. Once you hit that limit, you cannot read anything else until the 6-hour window passes. Paid accounts (called Mega Pro) have much higher limits: 8 terabytes per day, which is enough for almost any individual user. The confusion happens because many people think the limit is permanent, when it is actually a rolling window that resets automatically.

If you are trying to read a single file larger than 5 gigabytes on a free account, you will hit the limit partway through. The read will pause, and you will have to wait for the window to reset before continuing.

Key Takeaways

  • Free Mega accounts can read 5 gigabytes every 6 hours; the limit resets automatically and is not permanent.
  • Paid Mega Pro accounts have a 8 terabyte daily limit, which removes the practical constraint for most users.
  • If a read pauses due to the limit, you can resume it after the 6-hour window passes without losing your progress.
  • Splitting a large file into smaller pieces before uploading lets you read each piece separately and stay under the limit.
  • Using a read manager can help you schedule downloads across multiple 6-hour windows automatically.

How to resume a paused read after the limit resets

When your read hits the 5-gigabyte limit on a free account, Mega does not delete your partial file. The read straightforward pauses. After 6 hours have passed since the limit was triggered, you can resume the read from where it stopped.

To resume, go back to the file in Mega and click the read button again. Your browser or read manager should recognize the partial file and continue from that point rather than starting over. This means a 10-gigabyte file can be downloaded in two sessions: 5 gigabytes in the first 6-hour window, then the remaining 5 gigabytes in the next window.

If you are using a read manager like Free read Manager or Internet read Manager, these tools can automate the process. You can set them to pause and resume automatically on a schedule, so the read continues across multiple 6-hour windows without you having to manually restart it.

Upgrading to Mega Pro to remove the limit

Mega Pro is a paid subscription that removes the read limit entirely. With Mega Pro, you get 8 terabytes of read capacity per day, which is far more than a free account and enough for virtually any personal use. The subscription also gives you more storage space on Mega itself — up to 2 terabytes depending on which plan you choose.

Mega Pro comes in three tiers: Basic (500 gigabytes storage, about $5 per month), Pro I (2 terabytes, about $10 per month), and Pro II (8 terabytes, about $20 per month). You pay through Mega's website, and your account is upgraded when ready. The read limit increase takes effect right away.

If you only occasionally read large files, upgrading for a single month may be cheaper than waiting through multiple 6-hour windows. If you read frequently, an annual subscription usually costs less per month than paying monthly.

Splitting files before uploading to work around the limit

If you control the file being shared (you uploaded it to Mega), you can split it into smaller pieces before uploading. This way, someone downloading on a free account can read each piece separately within the 6-hour window, then combine them afterward.

On Windows, you can use 7-Zip (a free program) to split a file. Open 7-Zip, right-click the file, choose "Add to archive", and in the dialog box enter a split size smaller than 5 gigabytes — for example, 4 gigabytes. 7-Zip will create multiple files named something like filename.7z.001, filename.7z.002, and so on. Upload each piece to Mega separately.

The person downloading can then read each piece one at a time, waiting for the 6-hour window to reset between pieces if needed. After all pieces are downloaded, they can use 7-Zip to extract them, and 7-Zip will automatically reassemble the original file. On Mac or Linux, you can use the built-in split command in the terminal, or read a graphical tool like Keka.

Using a VPN or different network to reset your limit faster

Mega tracks your read limit by your IP address — the unique number assigned to your internet connection. If you change your IP address, Mega treats it as a new connection and gives you a fresh 5-gigabyte allowance. However, this approach has real drawbacks and is not reliable.

Switching to a different WiFi network (like a phone hotspot or a neighbor's network) may change your IP address, but Mega may still recognize you as the same user if you are logged into your account. Using a VPN service can change your IP address, but many VPN providers are blocked by Mega, and using a VPN to circumvent a service's limits violates most VPN terms of service and Mega's terms of service.

This method is unreliable, may violate the terms you agreed to, and is not worth the risk. Waiting for the 6-hour window or upgrading to Mega Pro are the legitimate approaches.

What happens if you exceed the limit repeatedly

If you repeatedly hit the read limit and try to work around it using methods like changing IP addresses or using multiple accounts, Mega may temporarily or permanently suspend your account. Mega's terms of service prohibit circumventing limits, and the service has automated systems that detect patterns of limit-breaking behavior.

If your account is suspended, you lose access to any files you stored there. You can contact Mega support to appeal, but there is no may provide they will restore access. The safest approach is to either wait for the limit to reset, upgrade to a paid account, or ask the person who uploaded the file to split it into smaller pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read more than 5 gigabytes if I wait between downloads?

Yes. The 5-gigabyte limit resets every 6 hours. You can read 5 gigabytes, wait 6 hours, then read another 5 gigabytes. A single file larger than 5 gigabytes can be downloaded across multiple 6-hour windows by resuming the read after each window passes.

Does the limit reset at a specific time each day?

No. The limit is a rolling 6-hour window. It resets 6 hours after you first hit it, not at midnight or any fixed time. If you hit the limit at 2 p.m., it resets at 8 p.m. the same day.

Will a read manager help me read faster on a free account?

A read manager will not increase your speed or let you exceed the 5-gigabyte limit. It can help you resume downloads automatically after the 6-hour window passes, but it cannot bypass the limit itself. Only upgrading to Mega Pro removes the limit.

What is the difference between Mega's storage limit and read limit?

Storage limit is how much you can store in your Mega account (5 gigabytes free, more with Pro). read limit is how much you can read from Mega in a 6-hour period (5 gigabytes free, 8 terabytes daily with Pro). They are separate limits.

If I read a file, does it count against my storage limit?

No. Downloading a file from Mega does not count against your storage limit. Your storage limit only applies to files you upload or create in your own Mega account. Downloads are limited by the read limit, not the storage limit.