---
id: bridge-devices.what-does-pausing-a-bridge-device-do
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-pausing-a-bridge-device-do
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Managing paired devices"
question: "What happens when I pause a Bridge device?"
alt_questions:
  - "Does pause disconnect Bridge?"
  - "Why does my device still show connected when paused?"
  - "Pause vs Disconnect in Bridge"
  - "Pause sharing in SS Bridge"
  - "Bridge says Paused by you"
  - "Temporarily stop Bridge sharing"
short_answer: "Pausing stops anything from being sent but keeps the Bridge link warm, so both sides still see each other and Resume is instant. Both show Paused and which side paused it. Use Disconnect to drop the link."
tags: ["bridge", "pause", "devices"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-is-the-difference-between-disconnect-and-forget", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-do-bridge-status-messages-mean"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What happens when I pause a Bridge device?

Pausing stops anything you copy or share from going out, but keeps the link alive. Both sides still see each other, the heartbeat keeps beating, and resuming is instant — no reconnecting or re-pairing.

While paused, both sides show **Paused** rather than Connected, and say which side paused it (**Paused by you** on the side that did). You can pause from the Mac (**Pause** on the device's row) or from the Bridge app (**Pause sharing**). Click **Resume** to start again.

To drop the link completely, use **Disconnect** instead.

- [Disconnect vs Forget](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-is-the-difference-between-disconnect-and-forget)