9 ways to attach large files to emails

To send large files via email, you can upload your attachments to cloud storage and include the link in the email and send it to the recipient or use a file sharing service.

Whichever method you choose, in the long run, you won't be constrained by size limitations and can also reduce clutter in your inbox. The following article will show you some easy ways to send large files for free.

1. Google Drive: Use with Gmail

With Gmail, you can send attachments up to 25MB and receive files up to 50MB in size. If you want to send a Google Drive file that exceeds 25MB, Gmail will automatically replace the attachment with a Google Drive file.

It makes sense to use the built-in Google Drive to send large files. Open your Gmail account and click Compose . Click the Google Drive icon at the bottom of the compose window.

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The Insert files using Google Drive window will appear. Select the files you want to attach. At the bottom of the page, decide how you want to send the file:

1. Drive links work for any file stored in Drive, including files created with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms.
2. Attachment only works for files that weren't created with Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

Then click Insert .

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Gmail will check if your recipient has access to the file. Otherwise, it will prompt you to change the sharing settings of files stored in Drive before sending the mail. You can set permissions to prevent files from being misused and send them to selected recipients.

2. OneDrive: For Outlook and Outlook.com

When you try to attach one or more files over 20MB in size, Outlook.com prompts you to upload the file to your OneDrive account. If you follow this prompt, the file will be uploaded to OneDrive's Email attachments folder. The recipient will receive a link to the file instead of the file itself. You can also share files from OneDrive with a limit of 2GB.

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Once the file is uploaded, choose whether people can edit the file or just view it. Select the OneDrive link and decide what you want to do with the file you just shared. There are two options:

1. Anyone can view : Others can copy or download your files without logging in.
2. Anyone can edit : Others can edit, add or delete files in the shared folder.

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3. Dropbox: Integration with Gmail

If you use Dropbox, the Gmail add-on for Dropbox can let you send, preview files and links without leaving the Gmail window. The add-on adds the Dropbox icon to the compose window. Click on the Dropbox icon and select a file from your Dropbox account. A link is attached, instead of a file in the email message.

As a recipient, you get previews of all Dropbox links shared in the email. Just like attachments, you can use these links to download files directly from Gmail or add files to your Dropbox. With a free Dropbox account, there's no file size limit, as long as you don't exceed your account's storage limit.

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If the file transfer fails, it could be due to several reasons: Your link or shared request may have generated a large amount of traffic or exceeded download and bandwidth limits. For more details, check out this Dropbox bandwidth limits page:

https://help.dropbox.com/share/banned-links

4. iCloud Mail Drop: Use with Apple Mail

If you want to send large files via email, you can use the iCloud Mail Drop feature. When you send an email larger than 20MB, Mail Drop will start automatically. Instead of sending the file through Apple's email server, it will upload the file to iCloud and post the link or preview to your recipients. The link is temporary and will expire after 30 days.

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If the recipient has macOS 10.10 or later, the attachment will be automatically downloaded quietly in the background. And if you're sending it to another email service provider, the message will contain a notice about the file's expiration date and a Click to Download link .

With Mail Drop, you can send large files up to 5GB in size. You can send them from Apple Mail, the Mail app on iOS, and iCloud.com on Macs and PCs. Mail Drop supports all file types and attachments don't count towards your iCloud storage. For more details, see Apple's Mail Drop limits page.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203093

5. WeTransfer: Send unlimited large files quickly

WeTransfer is a great option for sending files online. Free and without an account, you can send files up to 2GB in size; There is no limit to how often you can use the service. You can email these files directly or create a link to share elsewhere.

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Just go to the website, click the plus icon, select the file, fill in the fields, then click Transfer . Alternatively, click on the three dots and select Get transfer link . Your file will automatically expire after a week.

If you want, you can sign up for WeTransfer Pro for $12/month. This allows you to upload files up to 200GB in size, provides password protection, offers the ability to customize the sharing page, and more. However, chances are that the generous free plan is too much. enough for your needs.

6. pCloud Transfer: Simple encrypted file transfer

pCloud Transfer is part of pCloud and allows you to send large files for free without registration. Go to the pCloud Transfer page and add your files using the Click here to add files option .

You can email large files up to 5GB and each file cannot exceed 200MB. Then click the Encrypt Your Files option and set a password.

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pCloud will not send passwords to recipients on your behalf. You can share your files with 10 recipients at the same time. Enter their email address in the Send to field . Enter an optional message and click Send Files . Your recipient will receive an email link in a few hours. The link remains valid for 7 days. You will receive a reminder one day before the expiration date.

7. SendThisFile: End-to-end encrypted data transfer

SendThisFile is another type of file sharing service. It puts a limit on the number of transfers you make instead of the individual file size. Create a free account and click the Send Files button to start uploading files. Enter the recipient's email address and click Send . The free plan lets you send files up to 2GB with unlimited file transfers.

The premium plan starts with 25GB encrypted file transfers and remains valid for 6 days. The paid plan also includes the Outlook plugin, the option to use password-protected downloads, and embedding files on your website with access control features. All packages include AES–256 encryption and 128-bit TLS encryption for end-to-end transmission.

8. MyAirBridge: Encrypted transfers for large files

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If you like the idea of ​​encrypted file transfers but need more storage space, you can try MyAirBrigde. Even its free plan lets you upload and share files up to 20GB.

After creating an account, all you have to do is click the Send files via email or Send files via link button to upload the content. The recipient will get a link that takes them directly to the download page, so the interface is really easy to use. MyAirBridge is also available on mobile phones, so you can use it to transfer files between your phone and computer.

9. Wormhole: Share files privately

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Another great option when transferring encrypted files is Wormhole. Its 10GB size limit is sufficient if you plan to send large files. You don't even need an account to use its service.

To upload files, click the Select files to send button . When the upload is complete, Wormhole will create a link for you to share with the recipients. You can even get a QR code if needed. However, the link will expire after 24 hours, so make sure everyone can download the files before that time.

David Pac

Update 31 March 2023