Disclosed are techniques for allowing a fallback from downloading and presenting a three-dimensional (3D) media content item to a 2D version of the same content item. During the download, a triggering condition is noted, such as network congestion or resource starvation on the receiving device. The receiving device requests a fallback and then begins to receive the 2D version of the media content item. (Generally, the 2D content item is downloaded beginning at a point specified by the recipient device rather than from the beginning.) The 2D version is presented to the user of the recipient device in place of the 3D version. If the triggering condition is resolved, then the download and presentation can resume in 3D, either on the request of the recipient device or by the download server noting the resolution of the triggering condition.