Email is a big communication medium for talking to friends and colleagues. We use it to send all sorts of stuff, like documents, pictures, and videos. But sometimes, sending big files through email can be tough.

Email services usually have rules about how big attachments can be. If your file is too big, your email might not go through. Most email services won't let you send files that are larger than 25MB. If you try, you will get a popup. For example, attaching file larger than 25MB on gmail you will get this error:

Similarly on other platforms if you try to attach a large file through email than allowed limit, you will get a warning message.

So, what can you do when you need to share a large file via email? Fortunately, there are five (5) easy solutions to this problem that we are going to explain step by step in this article.

Easily email large files using Megafilesender. Upload a variety of content such as videos, designs, and documents. Upload and share a link of your file with the recipients.

1. Use File Transfer Service such as Megafilesender
2. Utilize Cloud Storage Service
3. Compress the File
4. Split the File into Smaller Parts

1/ How To Send Large Files via Email Using Megafilesender

MegaFileSender is a versatile and user-friendly platform for free file sharing. With MegaFileSender, users can effortlessly upload, send, or share a variety of digital content, including images, documents, music, and videos, all from one convenient location. Whether it's sharing important documents with colleagues, sending memorable photos to friends, or distributing music tracks to fans, MegaFileSender makes it easy to share files of up to 5GB in size with just a single click. Moreover, files uploaded to MegaFileSender can be accessed from anywhere, ensuring seamless accessibility and convenience. With MegaFileSender, users can share their files everywhere, making it an invaluable tool for personal and professional file sharing needs.

Here is step by step guide how to send large files via email using Megafilesender

1- Go Megafilesender.com

2- Click on upload button and select your desired file

 

3- Select auto delete time limit in days for your file from the list, and click on upload.

4- After uploading your file, you will get a download link.

5- That’s it now you can share download link in your email.

2/ How To Send Large Files via Email Using Cloud Storage Services

One of the most convenient methods for sending large files through email is by using cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. These platforms allow users to upload files to the cloud and share them with others via a link.

Some email providers come with a built-in cloud service, which makes sharing files even simpler. With this setup, the person you're sending the file to can just click on a link to access it from the cloud, either to view it or download it. Using integrated cloud services have several advantages: it's fast, secure, and there are no storage limits. Plus, it can be safer and more convenient than using a USB drive to transfer files.

Send Large Files via Email With Google Drive

Sending large files with Google Drive as email attachments is a convenient way to share files that exceed traditional email size limits. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Here's how you can do it: 

1- Open your Google Drive Account.

2- Click on New Option

3- Choose File Upload

4- Select one or multiple files and upload them.

5- After that, open your Gmail account and click on "Compose" to start writing your email.

6- To attach a large file, click on the Google Drive icon located at the bottom of your message.

7- Click on “Upload” and then click on “Select files from your device”.

8- Select your required files and click on Upload. File will be uploaded to your Google Drive

9-  After uploading your file, Google will attach this file to your email.

That's it now you can send or schedule your file as an attachment with the email you want to send.

Send Large Files Through Email Using One Drive

​If you use Microsoft Outlook, OneDrive is a native cloud storage service for sending large files. Much like with Google Drive, OneDrive allows you to share documents through either a link that you can copy and paste or by actually emailing the document.

Image Source: Microsoft

Sending large files via email using OneDrive is a straightforward process. Here's a simple guide to help you through it:

Upload File to OneDrive: Begin by logging into your OneDrive account. If you don't have one, you can sign up for free. Once logged in, upload the file you want to send to your OneDrive storage. To do this, click on the "Upload" button and select the file from your computer.

Generate Shareable Link: After uploading the file, right-click on it and select the "Share" option from the dropdown menu. This will open a window where you can adjust the sharing settings. Click on the "Copy link" button to generate a shareable link to the file.

Compose Email: Open your email client (such as Outlook, Gmail, or Yahoo Mail) and start composing a new email message to the recipient.

Insert Link: In the body of the email, paste the shareable link you copied from OneDrive. You can do this by right-clicking and selecting "Paste" or by using the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + V for Windows or Command + V for Mac).

Optional: Customize Message: Add any additional information or instructions for the recipient in the body of the email. You can also include a subject line and any other relevant details.

Send Email: Once you've inserted the link and customized the message, click on the "Send" button to send the email. The recipient will receive the email with the link to the file stored on OneDrive.

Send Large Files Through Email Using iCloud

Apple offers a handy feature called Mail Drop to tackle email attachment size limits. It's part of iCloud, Apple's cloud storage system, allowing users to sync files across their Apple devices.

Image source PCMAG

Unlike Google Drive or OneDrive, Mail Drop doesn't attach large files directly to emails. Instead, it hosts them on iCloud temporarily. However, the link to the file expires after thirty days.

Sending large files through email using iCloud and MailDrop is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Compose New Email: Begin by opening your iCloud Mail account in a web browser or email client.

Attach File: Click on the "Compose" button to start a new email message. Once the email composition window opens, look for the option to attach a file. Select the file you want to send. If the file is too large to attach directly, MailDrop will automatically kick in.

Upload File to MailDrop: If the file you're trying to attach exceeds the size limit for email attachments, iCloud Mail will detect this and prompt you to use MailDrop. MailDrop will upload the file to iCloud temporarily and insert a link to the file in your email.

Insert MailDrop Link: MailDrop will automatically insert a link to the file in your email message. You can customize the text of the link if you wish.

Compose Email: Complete the rest of your email message, including the recipient's email address, subject, and any additional text you want to include.

Send Email: Once you've composed your email and attached the file using MailDrop, click on the "Send" button to send the email.

Recipient Accesses File: The recipient will receive your email with the MailDrop link to the file. They can click on the link to download the file from iCloud.

That's it! You've successfully sent a large file through email using iCloud and MailDrop. This method allows you to bypass email attachment size limits and securely share files of any size with ease.

3/ Send Large Files via Email: Compress Large Files

Another effective way to send large files via email is by compressing them into a smaller size. File compression reduces the file's size by removing redundant data or using advanced compression algorithms. Popular file compression formats include ZIP, RAR, and 7z. 

7-Zip

7-Zip is a file compression software known for its high compression rates. It can shrink files down to a tenth of their original size. This tool is easy to install and can compress as many files as you need. It also lets you unpack any compressed files you receive. Plus, 7-Zip comes with a file manager to help you keep track of all your larger files.

Here is how you can compress large files using 7-Zip

• Install 7-Zip software on your computer.
• Open the 7-Zip File Manager.
• Select the file you want to compress.
• Choose "Add to Archive" from the options.
• Ensure that the Archive format is set to Zip.
• Click "Ok" to compress the file.
• The compressed file will be saved in the same location as the original.

WinZip

WinZip is a popular software used for compressing files, making them smaller and easier to manage. It's great for saving space and sharing files quickly. With WinZip, you can also encrypt files for added security, convert files to PDF, and manage your files easily. 

To compress large files using WinZip follow these steps:

1. If you haven't already, download and install WinZip on your computer.
2. Navigate to the file or files you want to zip.
3. Right-click on the file or files you want to zip.
4. From the context menu that appears, select "Add to Zip file."
5. A dialog box will pop up. Enter a name for your zip file.
6. Choose the location where you want to save the zip file.
7. Click the "Save" button to create the zip file.

That's it! You've successfully zipped a file using WinZip.

Compress Files on Windows and Mac

Both Windows and Mac operating systems offer built-in features that allow users to compress large files effortlessly. These native compression utilities provide a convenient way to reduce the size of files and folders without the need for third-party software. Whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac, these built-in features provide a straightforward and efficient method for compressing large files, making file management tasks simpler and more manageable.

Let’s explore how you can utilize the native compression functionalities on both Windows and Mac systems to effectively compress large files.

Compressing Files on Windows:

Image Source: Microsoft Support

1. Navigate to the large file or folder you want to compress on your Windows computer.
2. Right-click on the file or folder you want to compress to select it.
3. From the context menu that appears, hover over the "Send to" option.
4. In the submenu, click on "Compressed (zipped) folder." Windows will then create a new compressed folder with a zipper icon.
5. Windows will begin compressing the file or folder. The time it takes will depend on the size of the file or folder being compressed.

Once the compression process is complete, you'll find a new compressed folder in the same location as the original file or folder. You can now use this compressed folder for storage, sharing, or other purposes.

Compressing Files on Mac:

Image Source: WikiHow

1. Find the file or folder you want to compress on your Mac.
2. Click on the file or folder to select it.
3. Either right-click on the selected file/folder or hold the Control key and click on it.
4. From the context menu that appears, select "Compress [file/folder name]." This option will create a new compressed file with a .zip extension in the same location as the original.
5. macOS will start compressing the file or folder. The time it takes will vary depending on the size of the file or folder.
6. Once the compression process is complete, you'll find a new .zip file in the same location as the original file or folder. You can now use this compressed file as needed, whether for storage, sharing, or other purposes.

These methods provide simple and efficient ways to compress files on both Windows and Mac systems, helping you save space and streamline file management tasks.

4/ Send Large Files via Email Using FTP Software

Image Source: Wikipedia

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a widely used network protocol designed for transferring files between computers over a TCP/IP-based network. One popular FTP client software is FileZilla, which offers an intuitive interface and robust features for managing file transfers. With FileZilla, you can connect to FTP servers to upload and download files securely.

To use FileZilla for uploading large files to a server, you'll need to first install the software on your computer. Once installed, you can configure FileZilla to connect to your FTP server by entering the server's address, port number, username, and password. Additionally, you may need to specify the connection type (e.g., FTP, SFTP, FTPS) depending on the server's security settings.

After connecting to the FTP server, you can navigate through directories and locate the files you want to upload. Simply drag and drop the files from your local computer to the remote server directory within FileZilla's interface. FileZilla will then initiate the file transfer process, uploading the selected files to the server.

Once the upload is complete, you'll receive confirmation from FileZilla, indicating that the files have been successfully transferred to the server. At this point, you can generate a download link for the uploaded files, allowing recipients to access and download them. This link can be shared via email or other communication channels.

While FileZilla offers a user-friendly interface, setting up and using FTP connections may require some technical knowledge, especially when configuring server settings and security protocols. However, with its comprehensive documentation and community support, FileZilla remains a popular choice for FTP file transfers among both novice and experienced users alike.

5/ Split the File into Smaller Parts

If none of the above methods are suitable or convenient for your situation, you can consider splitting the large file into smaller parts and sending them as multiple attachments. This approach is particularly useful when dealing with email services that have strict size limitations. Here's how you can do it:

• Use file-splitting software to divide the large file into smaller segments.
• Attach each segment to separate emails.
• Clearly label each email to indicate its part number (e.g., Part 1 of 3, Part 2 of 3, etc.).
• Send the emails sequentially to the recipient.

Upon receiving all parts of the file, the recipient can use file-merging software to reconstruct the original file.

Conclusion

Sending large files via email doesn't have to be a daunting task. By utilizing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can overcome file size limitations and ensure seamless file sharing with colleagues, clients, or friends. 

We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and practical tips for sending large files through email. Have you encountered any challenges or discovered other methods not mentioned here? Feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments section below.

How to send a large file through email: We'd love to hear your thoughts! Share your experiences, tips, or questions in the comments below.