How to Send Large Files as Email Attachments: 9 Solutions (2024)

Many email servers prevent you from sending (or the recipient from receiving) large files over a certain size. When this problem happens, most users don't know how to email large files. To send large files via email, you can either upload your attachment to cloud storage and get a link to email to the recipient, or use a file-sharing service.

Whatever method you choose, in the long run, you won't be restricted by size limits, and you can reduce the clutter from your inbox too. We'll show you some easy ways to send large files for free.

1. Google Drive: Use With Gmail

With Gmail, you can send attachments limited to 25MB and receive files of up to 50MB. 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 big files. Open your Gmail account and click Compose. Click the Google Drive icon at the bottom of the compose window.

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

• Drive link works for any files stored in Drive, including files created using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms.
• Attachment only works for files that weren't built using Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

Then click Insert.

Gmail checks to see if your recipients have access to the file. If they don't, it'll prompt you to change the sharing settings of your file stored in Drive before sending the message. You can set permissions to prevent the file from getting misused and send them to selected recipients.

2. OneDrive: For Outlook and Outlook.com

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

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Once the file gets uploaded, choose if people can edit the file or only view it. Select the OneDrive link and decide what you want to do with a file you just shared. There are two options you can choose from.

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

3. Dropbox: Integrate With Gmail

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

As a recipient, you get rich previews of all Dropbox links shared in emails. Just like attachments, you can use these links to download the files directly from Gmail or add it to your Dropbox. With a free Dropbox account, there is no file size limit—you just can't exceed your account's storage quota.

If your file transfer fails, then it could be due to multiple reasons; your shared link or request could have generated a large amount of traffic or exceeded the bandwidth and download limits. For more details, see the Dropbox bandwidth restrictions page.

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 of size more than 20MB, Mail Drop automatically kicks in. Instead of sending the file through the Apple email server, it uploads the file to iCloud and posts a link or preview to your recipients. The link is temporary and will expire after 30 days.

If the recipient also has macOS 10.10 or later, the attachment gets quietly auto-downloaded in the background. And if you're sending it to another email provider, the message contains an indication of the file's expiration date and a Click to Download link.

With Mail Drop, you can send big files up to 5GB in size. You can send them from Apple Mail, the Mail app on iOS, and iCloud.com on Mac and PC. Mail Drop support every file type, and attachments don't count against your iCloud storage. For more details, see Apple's Mail Drop limits page.

5. WeTransfer: Send Unlimited Large Files Quickly

WeTransfer is a fantastic choice to send files online. For free, and without an account, you can send files up to 2GB; there's no limit to how often you can use the service either. You can either send these files directly via email or generate a link that you can share elsewhere.

Simply visit the site, click the plus icon, select your files, fill in the fields, then click Transfer. Alternatively, click the three dots and choose Get transfer link. Your file will automatically expire after one week.

If you want, you can sign up for WeTransfer Pro for $12/month. This lets you upload files up to 200GB, offers password protection, gives the ability to customize the sharing page, and more. However, chances are the generous free plan will be more than enough for your needs.

6. pCloud Transfer: Simple Encrypted File Transfer

pCloud Transfer is a part of pCloud storage and lets you send large files for free without any 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 every single file should not exceed 200MB. Then click Encrypt Your Files option and set a password.

pCloud will not send the password to your recipient on your behalf. You can share your files with 10 recipients at once. Type in their email addresses in the Send to field. Type an optional message and click Send Files. Your recipients will receive an email link after a few hours. The link remains valid for seven days. You'll get a reminder a day before the expiration date.

7. SendThisFile: End-to-End Encrypted Transfers

SendThisFile is a different kind of file-sharing service. It places limits on the number of transfers you do rather than on the individual file size itself. Create a free account and click the Send Files button to start uploading files. Type in the recipient's email address and click Send. The free plan lets you send files up to 2GB with unlimited file transfer.

The premium plan starts with a 25GB encrypted file transfer and remains valid for six days. The paid plan also includes an Outlook plugin, option to use password-protected download capabilities, and embed files on your website with access control features. All plans include AES–256 encryption and 128-bit TLS encryption for end-to-end-transmission.

8. MyAirBrigde: Encrypted Transfers for Large Files

If you like the idea of encrypted transfers but need a bigger storage capacity, you could give MyAirBrigde a try. Even its free plan allows you to upload and share files up to 20GB.

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

9. Wormhole: Private File Sharing

Another great option when it comes to encrypted transfers is Wormhole. Its 10GB limit size should be enough if you plan on sending large files. Wormhole seems to be all about speed, as you don’t even need an account to use its service.

To upload your file, click the Select files to send button. Once the upload is complete, Wormhole will generate a link for you to share with the recipients. You can even get a QR code if you need it. However, the link expires in 24 hours, so make sure everyone gets to download the files before that.

No More File Size Limits for Your Transfers

Hopefully, you’ve managed to send your files using one of the tools above. Depending on the file size, you may have to look beyond the usual solution of simply attaching the file to your email.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options available, no matter if you have to send files to someone else or if you just want to transfer them between your devices.