How to Send a File That's Too Big for Email
If your file is too large to attach to an email, use Google Drive, WeTransfer, iCloud, or Dropbox to share it as a link instead — free and straightforward.
At a Glance
Try WeTransfer for a one-time send (no account needed)
~29sQuick Tip
WeTransfer free allows up to 2GB per transfer and the download link stays active for 7 days.
Use Google Drive (best for Gmail users)
~22sShare via iCloud Drive (for iPhone or Mac users)
~29sWarning
iCloud link sharing only works if your file is stored in iCloud Drive (not on your Desktop or in a regular folder). Move the file into iCloud Drive first if needed.
Use Dropbox as an alternative
~16sSend the link in an email
~29sQuick Tip
Tell the recipient what to expect — for example, "Click the link below to download the photos from our trip. The link will work for 7 days."
You Did It!
You've finished reading: How to Send a File That's Too Big for Email
How well did this guide stick with you?
Need more help? Book a TekSure tech
Most email services have a file size limit of around 25 megabytes (MB). Photos are usually fine, but videos, large folders of photos, or documents with many images can quickly exceed that limit. If you've ever tried to attach a file and gotten an error saying it's too large, you need a different approach.
The solution is to upload the file to a cloud storage service and then share a link to it. Instead of attaching the file directly to an email, you paste a web link that the recipient clicks to download it themselves. This works for files of any size.
Here are four free options:
WeTransfer
(wetransfer.com) — The most straightforward option. No account needed. Go to the website, upload files up to 2GB, enter the recipient's email, and hit Transfer. The recipient gets an email with a download link that works for 7 days. Completely free for files under 2GB.
Google Drive
— If you have a Gmail account, you already have Google Drive with 15GB of free storage. Upload the file, right-click it, choose "Share," and copy the sharing link to paste into your email. The recipient doesn't need a Google account to download it.
iCloud Drive
— If you use an iPhone or Mac and have an Apple account, you can share files through iCloud Drive. On iPhone, tap and hold the file in the Files app, choose "Share," then "Copy Link." On Mac, Control-click the file in Finder, choose "Share," then "Copy iCloud Link."
Dropbox
— Free with 2GB of storage. Similar to Google Drive — upload a file, right-click it, choose "Copy link," and paste it in your email.
For most people, WeTransfer is the quickest option for a one-time file send because it requires no account. Google Drive is better if you need to share files regularly, since your files stay organized in one place.
Rate this guide
How helpful was this guide?
Official Resources
Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →
← Previous
How to Use the Photos App on Mac to Organize and Share Pictures
Next →
How to Take a Screenshot on iPad and Annotate It
Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.
A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.
Learn more from official sources
Related Guides
How to Create a Strong Password
Learn the rules for creating passwords that are nearly impossible to crack.
1 min read
How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Any Account
Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts with 2FA — a must for everyone.
2 min read
How to Identify Phishing Emails
Spot fake emails designed to steal your personal information before you fall for them.
2 min read