Over the years, sending and receiving data over the internet has become increasingly seamless. Numerous VoIP apps enable users to share text, audio, and video content with minimal limitations. However, sharing large files, often measured in gigabytes or terabytes, can still pose challenges. Mega has become a popular tool for sharing such files due to its user-friendly interface. Despite its advantages, Mega’s free service imposes a 5GB limit, prompting users to seek ways to bypass this download restriction.
Several software solutions and third-party apps claim to offer methods to bypass Mega’s download limit. These solutions range from using VPNs to manipulate IP addresses, leveraging download managers that break files into smaller chunks, to browser extensions designed to circumvent the quota. While Mega provides various paid plans with additional benefits, the free option remains appealing despite its 5GB daily transfer quota. Users can explore these alternatives to manage their large file transfers more efficiently. However, it’s important to consider the legality and potential security risks associated with using third-party tools to bypass Mega’s limitations.
There have been reports of occasional glitches that allow users to continue downloading even after Mega’s bandwidth limit has been exceeded. However, instead of relying on these unpredictable glitches, there are several reliable methods that can help users bypass the Mega download limit. In this blog, I will explore these methods. Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways: MEGA Download Limits
- IP-Based Download Limits: MEGA imposes download limits based on the location of your IP address.
- Using a VPN: Utilizing a VPN is one of the simplest methods to bypass MEGA’s download limitations.
- Using a Downloader with Proxy Lists: Another effective method is to use a downloader that utilizes
- IP addresses from a free proxy list site, whether U.S.-based or international.
How to Bypass MEGA Download Limit
There are 3 effective ways to bypass the Mega download limit. Each way is detailed described below for your convenience in 2024:
Method #1 (Recommended): Using a VPN
If you’re looking for a reliable and user-friendly way to bypass Mega’s download limit, a VPN is the ideal tool. It changes your IP address to any country in the world and uses strong encryption to protect your connection and footprints. This allows you to reset the Mega transfer limit as often as needed.
Follow these steps:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN.
- Download the app on your device.
- Open the app and connect to any server of your choice.
- Go to Mega and download files as usual. Monitor your usage, as the size of these files will count towards your daily limit.
- If you are nearing your transfer quota, disconnect from ExpressVPN and close Mega.
- Reconnect to another server and open Mega again. The transfer limit should now be reset to zero. Continue downloading as needed.
Method #2: Downloader Tool
Another way to bypass Mega’s free transfer quota is to use a third-party downloader. A downloader masks your real IP address through a proxy, allowing you to get around Mega’s download limits since your IP address determines your download quota. There are multiple downloader options available, but here’s how to use JDownloader, an open-source download management tool, to bypass the Mega download limit:
- Download the “JDownloader” app.
- Open “JDownloader” and click on “Settings.”
- Go to “Connection Manager” and click the “Add button” to enter your “proxy addresses.”
- Fill out the necessary details, such as the IP address and port number, and click “OK.”
- Go to “Mega” and find the file you want to download. Right-click it and choose Get Link.
- Return to “JDownloader” and locate the “LinkGrabber tab“. Paste the link and click Start all Downloads.
- Once the file is downloaded, it will appear in the Downloads tab with a green checkmark and “Finished” written next to it.
- Check your transfer quota on Mega; there should be no change in the amount of data transferred.
Method #3: Cloudflare WARP
If you want to bypass Mega’s download limit without using a downloader, you can use Cloudflare WARP. However, WARP only allows you to bypass the download limit once because it doesn’t function like traditional VPNs. Instead of changing your IP address, WARP uses its 1.1.1.1 DNS while encrypting your data. This method is effective for file sizes up to 10 GB.
Follow these steps:
- Download the Cloudflare WARP app.
- Open the app and go to settings by tapping the gear icon.
- Select “1.1.1.1 with WARP.”
- Go to Mega and download the files you need.
- When you approach the transfer quota, close Mega and open the WARP app.
- Click the switch to connect to WARP.
- Open Mega again, and you will see that another 5 GB has been added to your daily quota.
Can You Increase Your MEGA Transfer Limit?
If you’re a regular user of MEGA for your cloud storage needs, opting for a paid plan could significantly enhance your experience compared to sticking with the free version. Without upgrading to a paid subscription, there’s no way to increase your transfer quota on the free tier.
However, it’s important to recognize that with a paid subscription, you could potentially exhaust your entire transfer quota for the month or year right away.
On the bright side, completing certain straightforward actions—such as linking a mobile number, referring a friend, or installing the desktop or mobile app—can earn you an additional 20GB of storage for your free account over the course of a year, bringing the total to 40GB.
It may go without saying, but purchasing a subscription plan is the most direct way to increase your daily limit with MEGA. If MEGA is your cloud storage provider and you use it daily, getting a paid plan might be easier and more efficient than using the free plan. Other than a paid subscription, there’s no other way to increase the transfer quota on a free account.
However, it’s worth noting that with a paid account, it’s possible to use your entire transfer quota (month, or year) immediately.
Performing some simple tasks—such as connecting a cell phone number, referring a friend, downloading the desktop app, or downloading the MEGA mobile app—can add up to an additional 20GB of storage to your free plan for an entire year, for a total of 40GB.
How to Fix MEGA Transfer Quota Exceeded Issue?
Encountering the “Mega insufficient transfer quota” error signifies that you’ve reached the maximum allocated bandwidth for file transfers on your account. While this situation can indeed be frustrating, rest assured that there are five straightforward methods you can employ to resolve it and resume your file transfer activities seamlessly.
1. Clear Browse Data
When tackling the “Mega transfer quota exceeded” issue, an initial step involves clearing browser data. Accumulated cookies and cached files over time could potentially disrupt the accurate tracking of your transfer quota. Clearing this data refreshes the browser’s cache, thereby potentially resetting the transfer quota status and addressing the issue.
2. Review Account Settings
- Begin by reviewing your account settings. Log in to your account and carefully examine if any settings impose restrictions on the amount of data you can transfer. If such limitations are found, you have the option to adjust them to allow for a higher capacity of transfers as needed.
- Next, assess whether any pending transfers are utilizing a significant portion of your transfer quota. If you discover such transfers, consider canceling them and then retry the process after resetting the quota to ensure smoother operation.
3. Upgrade Your Account
If the aforementioned steps do not yield the desired results, it’s advisable to consider upgrading your account to a higher tier, if deemed necessary. Many providers offer multiple service tiers, and by upgrading your account, you may unlock access to enhanced bandwidth for transfers.
For users with a Pro account, there’s the option to allocate a portion of their transfer quota to non-MEGA users or individuals with a free account who are downloading from links generated by them. This allocation is adjustable, with a default setting of 25%.
4. Wait for the Quota Reset
In certain circumstances, the most effective course of action is to patiently wait for the transfer quota to reset. Mega follows specific time intervals for refreshing transfer quotas. During this waiting period, exercising patience enables you to seamlessly resume your file transfers without encountering the “Mega transfer quota exceeded” error.
5. Contact Mega Support
If you find that the solutions mentioned earlier do not resolve the MEGA transfer limit issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to its customer support. Mega’s support team is well-prepared to assist with various user inquiries, including those pertaining to transfer quota issues. Contacting support offers the chance to receive personalized guidance and address the problem with the expertise of their team.
Why You Should Not Use a Free VPN to Bypass Mega Download Limit?
It’s important to note that not every VPN provider will yield the same results when attempting to bypass the Mega download limit. Free VPNs, in particular, are likely to fall short due to their numerous flaws. Firstly, there’s no guarantee that these “free VPN” services don’t log your internet activity, as they need to generate revenue somehow.
While this might not initially seem concerning, free VPN services have caused significant headaches for users in the past. Additionally, free VPNs severely restrict download speeds, making it challenging to efficiently download data even if you manage to bypass initial limits.
Furthermore, free VPNs often suffer from frequent disconnections, requiring users to restart Mega downloads manually. They also tend to inundate users with ads and pose a risk of malware. In essence, the hassle of using a free service outweighs any potential benefits, especially when reliable alternatives like ExpressVPN are available for a minimal monthly subscription fee.
Another useful tip is to avoid downloading single large files from Mega whenever possible. While this might not always be feasible, it’s worth considering. If you do need to change your VPN location, having a backup plan in place can save you the trouble of restarting downloads from scratch. Look into software that can help segment your downloads to mitigate this issue.
Conclusion
MEGA stands out as a commendable cloud service provider, offering a generous amount of storage even on their free accounts and maintaining industry-leading standards in security and privacy.
Nevertheless, the strict restrictions on download quotas for free accounts can understandably cause frustration and potentially hinder productivity. If this limitation proves to be a significant concern for you, exploring alternatives such as transferring your files to another storage solution like OneDrive, Dropbox, pCloud, iDrive or Sync.com could be worthwhile.
FAQs
Does MEGA Have a Download Limit?
Indeed, there exists a download limit across nearly all MEGA plans, whether free or paid. The specifics of the transfer limit on the free plan can be somewhat ambiguous, as it is influenced by various factors such as your IP address and the volume of data you transfer (download) within a six-hour window.
What Is the Limit on MEGA?
The transfer limit for a free account is not explicitly published, though users can monitor their download activity to gauge proximity to the transfer quota. For the cheapest paid plan, the transfer limit is set at 1TB per month.
How Do I Bypass the MEGA Download Time Limit?
The most efficient method to bypass MEGA’s time limit is to ensure you do not exceed your allocated transfer amount within a six-hour period. Utilizing a VPN service or a downloader program enables users to circumvent transfer limitations or time-out periods by altering their IP address. It’s important to remember to close your browser when changing IP addresses to ensure smooth operation.
What happens if you go over MEGA storage?
Exceeding your storage limit results in the inability to add additional files to your account. Consequently, various functionalities cease to operate, including the ability to upload, copy, or import files. Additionally, synchronizations with the MEGA Desktop app come to a halt.