When a computer or phone enters "sleep" or "standby" mode, it cuts power to the hardware components (like the hard drive and network card) to save energy. Because the processor is paused and the internet connection is severed, downloads cannot progress.
Game consoles are built with "rest modes" specifically designed for background downloads.
Some apps are aggressive about saving battery. If your download keeps pausing, check your "Background App Refresh" (iOS) or "Battery Optimization" (Android) settings to ensure the app has permission to run in the background. Summary Table Does it download in Sleep? What to enable Windows PC Usually No Modern Standby or "Turn off screen only" Mac Power Nap / Wake for Network Access PS5 / Xbox Rest Mode / Sleep Mode Smartphone Background App Refresh The Bottom Line will downloading continue in sleep mode
Go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode . Ensure "Stay Connected to the Internet" is toggled on.
To empirically test the question, a controlled experiment was conducted: When a computer or phone enters "sleep" or
Will Downloading Continue in Sleep Mode? Everything You Need to Know
To ensure downloads complete without user intervention: Some apps are aggressive about saving battery
Go to Settings > System > Power & battery . Look for options that allow the network to remain connected during sleep.