How to Send Large Files That Are Too Big to Email

Tap a method to see how it works.

Use your webmail provider's drive integration

Many webmail services, including Gmail, automatically offer to convert an attachment into a cloud drive link when the file is too large to attach directly.

Try a dedicated large-file transfer site

Several services let you upload a large file without creating an account and generate a download link to share, often with an expiration date built in.

Compress the file to shrink it

Compressing a file before sending sometimes shrinks it enough to fit under the attachment limit, avoiding the extra step of a link entirely.

Hit an attachment limit? A link solves it

Videos and high-resolution photos frequently exceed email attachment limits. Sharing a cloud link instead removes the size problem entirely, since the recipient downloads the file directly rather than receiving it as an email attachment.

Most shared links expire, and some can be password-protected

Cloud and file-transfer links are usually not permanent -- most expire automatically after a set number of days or downloads, so don't rely on an old link staying valid indefinitely. Many of these services also let you add a password to the link itself, so it can't be opened by anyone who doesn't have both the link and the password.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a shared link usually stay downloadable?

It depends on the service, but most links are set to expire automatically after a certain number of days or once a download limit is reached.

Can I put a password on a file link?

Yes -- many file-transfer services let you set a password on the link, so it can't be downloaded by someone who has the link but not the password.