---
id: external-drives.can-i-use-my-mac-during-a-drive-transfer
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/can-i-use-my-mac-during-a-drive-transfer
category: "External drives"
subcategory: "Upgrading, transferring and backing up the drive"
question: "Can I close Storage Studio or use my Mac while a drive transfer runs?"
alt_questions:
  - "Does Transfer Drive keep going if I quit?"
  - "Mac sleeps during drive transfer"
  - "Close window during Backup Drive"
  - "transfer drive in background"
  - "Will the transfer stop if the drive unplugs?"
  - "How long does Transfer Drive take?"
short_answer: "Yes. The background service runs the copy, so you can close the window, quit, or let the Mac sleep — it resumes automatically, even after a brief unplug. Reopen the window for live progress and a time estimate."
tags: ["transfer drive", "background", "progress"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-move-everything-to-a-new-external-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/transfer-drive-vs-backup-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-checks-run-before-transfer-drive-starts"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I close Storage Studio or use my Mac while a drive transfer runs?

Yes. The copy is run by Storage Studio's background service, so you can close the window or quit the app and it keeps going. It also **resumes automatically** if a drive is briefly unplugged or your Mac sleeps. Reopen the window any time to see the percentage, speed, time remaining and the file being copied.

How long it takes depends on how much is on the drive and how fast both drives are — the progress sheet shows a live estimate. You can **Pause** and resume it whenever you like.