How to Send Large Files via Email

Emails are handy for communication and, equally as necessary, file sharing. However, if you tried to send a relatively large file via email, the result was likely frustrating. Email services like Gmail or Yahoo Mail have massive customer bases and can’t afford to clog their traffic with larger files. That’s why the attachment size is limited to 25 MB.

But this limitation doesn’t mean you have to resort to file sharing services that require a subscription. There are other file-sharing options on every platform. This article will show you how to send large files via email using different operating systems and apps.

How to Send Large Files via Email for Free

If your files are just over the limit, there are two methods to make them fit the mandated size. You can compress or shrink the files, making them small enough to be attached to an email message.

Compressing a file is quickly done on a computer, whether it has Windows or Mac OS.

For Windows:

1. Right-click on the desired file.
   
2. Navigate to “Send to.”
   
3. Choose “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
   

For Mac OS:

1. Right-click the file.
   
2. Choose the “Compress” option.
   

Both actions will have a similar result, creating a new compressed file. If that file is small enough for email, you can attach it to the message, and it will be sent without issues.

Note that the recipient needs an app to open and unpack compressed files.

When it comes to shrinking, this method will apply mainly to photo and video files.

Modern cameras and smartphones make large resolution recordings, which can be quite massive. If you don’t need to send the file in the original resolution, you can shrink it to a smaller size before sending it.

For experienced photo and video editing software users, shrinking such media files won’t be an issue. However, if you don’t have the right tools or aren’t proficient in using them, you can utilize some free online tools.

There are web-based services where you can upload images or videos, and they’ll shrink them down to the desired format and file size. Of course, if the original files are massive, you’ll need a good internet connection for this task.

Remember that the shrunk files will also drop in quality, so you won’t want to employ this technique if you need to send high-resolution photos or videos.

How to Send Large Files via Email – OneDrive

Microsoft 365 users have a very straightforward way of sending large files via email using OneDrive. This online storage service is available for free, although there are subscription models that provide more extensive storage. With the free version, you’ll get 5 GB, sufficient for all but the largest files.

Follow these steps to send large files using OneDrive:

1. Go to the OneDrive web app and log in with your credentials.
   
2. Upload the files to your account.
   
3. Select the uploaded file and click “Share.”
   
4. Choose the “Get Link” button, then click on the “Copy” option next to the link.
   
5. Open your email and paste the OneDrive link into the message body.
   

With this method, you’ll have no problems sending files up to 5 GB. The recipient can download the file by clicking on the link you’ve sent them.

How to Send Large Files via Email With Google Drive

Using Google Drive for file sharing and cloud storage is one of the most widespread options today. All Gmail users have Google Drive available automatically, receiving 15 GB of storage free of charge.

If you have a Gmail account and want to use it to send large files, you won’t need to take any extra steps. Instead, automation will take over.

Once you try to upload an attachment larger than 25 MB, Gmail will link and upload it to Google Drive. As soon as the file is uploaded to the cloud storage, a download link will appear in the email message you’re writing.

Google Drive has similar integration with various email apps. So, if you’re logged into your account correctly, you won’t need to visit Gmail directly to take advantage of this functionality.

You can also use Google Drive in the same manner as OneDrive:

1. Visit Google Drive on the web.
   
2. Upload the file you want to send.
   
3. Right-click the file and choose “Get Link” to copy the link to the clipboard.
   
4. Paste the link into the email message.
   

It’s important to keep in mind that files uploaded to Google Drive won’t be deleted automatically. Instead, they’ll keep filling up the available storage space. So, if you don’t need them readily available, you should delete large files manually.

How to Send Large Files via Email – Android

Android users have many same tools available as those using a computer. To send large files via email on an Android device, you can:

• Use Google Drive or another cloud storage service
• Compress the files
• Upload videos to YouTube

Here’s how each method functions.

Google Drive or Other Cloud Services

If you have a Gmail account, you’ll be able to take advantage of 15 GB of free Google Drive storage. This storage will be linked with your email account automatically.

When you attempt to attach a file over 25 MB to a Gmail message on your Android phone, the file will be uploaded to Google Drive. Rather than the attachment, a download link will show in the message.

After the email is sent, the recipient will need to click on the link to go to the download page.

The method will be slightly different if you have a Google Drive account but aren’t using Gmail or want to use a different cloud service.

1. Go to your cloud app of choice.
   
2. Upload any files you want to be sent via email.
   
3. Depending on the app, find and copy the download link for the file.
   
4. Open your email and paste the link into the message body.
   

Compress the Files

File compression apps are available for Android devices through the Play Store. These may be useful if the files you’re trying to send are only slightly larger than 25 MB. However, compression can’t reduce a massive file to an acceptable size for emails, so this method will only be situationally useful.

Upload Videos to YouTube

One of the most straightforward ways to get larger video files sent through email would be to upload them to your YouTube channel.

You can have those videos on your channel as private or unlisted so that nobody else on the platform can see them. At that point, YouTube can serve more as free storage than a video platform. When you upload the video, simply copy the link and send it to the recipient in an email message.

How to Send Large Files via Email on iPhone

There’s a dedicated service on iPhone and iPad designed for sending large files, called Mail Drop. It will likely be your best choice to send files that are too big for average email allocations.

Here’s how to send large files via email on iPhone using Mail Drop:

1. Go to your email app and compose a message.
   
2. Attach the desired file and wait for a popup window to appear.
   
3. In the popup, select “Mail Drop” as the preferred method.
   

The Mail Drop link will be forwarded to the recipient. They should have no issues downloading the sent files.

How to Send Large Files via Email on a Mac or Windows PC

Sending large files on your computer is relatively easy due to various options and online services.

Whether on a Mac or Windows PC, you can compress the files or use a cloud storage service. Compressing the files will be very straightforward.

For Mac OS:

1. Locate the file you want to send and Right-click.
   
2. Select “Compress.”
   

For Windows:

1. Find the large files you wish to share.
   
2. Bring up the context menu by right-clicking a file.
   
3. Choose “Send to,” then “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
   

Compressed files will be somewhat smaller than the originals. However, this method won’t shrink files considerably larger than 25 MB to a sufficient size.

Cloud storage is a much safer bet. The method will be the same regardless of your OS.

1. Open your cloud storage app or website.
   
2. Upload the large files.
   
3. Request a copy of the download link. This step will vary depending on the service.
   
4. Paste the link in the email message.

Sending Large Files Made Easy

Luckily, many options exist to send large files via email using any device. You likely already have an account on some services that will help you achieve this task. And now that you know the exact methods, your files should be underway in no time.

Did you manage to send a large file via email? Which method did you use? Let us know in the comments below.