How to Send Large Files via Email

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you can’t send an email because the file attached is too large? Well, if you haven’t gotten out of that situation yet, then stick to this page to find out. It’s not impossible to send large files via email or to find out how to send large files as email attachments. We’ll show you how.

So, how do you email large files? There are various ways to send large files by email. Some are paid, and others are free. You can use Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and more. We’ve explained the process of emailing large files further using various services below.

What Impacts the File Size of Email Attachments?

Most email servers don’t hold large storage, as emailing large files can put a strain on the system. As a result, inboxes can clog up very fast, and email servers would end up performing poorly.

This is the reason they limit users to sending attachments no larger than 20 MB to 25 MB. If you have to send files larger than that, then you’ll have to find other ways to send large files through an email attachment or link.

4 Best Ways to Share Large Files

There are many ways to send large files over the Internet. These include using free and paid online services, compression software, and so on. However, we’ve listed a few that can be convenient for many people trying to send large files either via email or any other way over the internet.

Below is a list of some of the best ways you can use to solve the task:

• Use cloud storage services
• Use free online services like WeTransfer
• Use a VPN
• Use FTP via FileZilla

How to Send Large Files via Email

Now that we’ve gone through addressing the fact that you can’t send attachments larger than 25MB via email servers, it’s time to address how to send large files over the internet. We can start with how to send large files in email or ways to send large files for free, and various other ways so that you can choose an option that’s more convenient for you.

Using Cloud Storage Services

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, and OneDrive are the best answer to how to send large files via email attachments. You can choose one that goes with the server you’re using to send large files via email.

For instance, if you’ve been trying to figure out how to send large files through Gmail, then Google Drive can be one of the quickest ways for you. To do that, you can follow these steps:

• Click on the Google Drive icon: When you’ve clicked on the compose button and written your email, you can attach your large file by clicking on the triangular Google Drive icon at the bottom. 

• Select file: Select the file you’d like to send by clicking on it. 
• Choose the way you’d like to send the file: At the bottom right corner, you can click on “Drive link” or “Attachment.”

• Click the insert button: Click “Insert” to have the file uploaded and send your email.

If you’re figuring out how to send large files through Outlook or Yahoo, then you can use cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud. 

Using Free Online Services Like WeTransfer

One of the best ways to send large files is with WeTransfer, and it’s for free. Plus, it’s straightforward and easy to use. You don’t need to download and install it, as you can use it on its website. There’s also no need to sign up; you can use it as is and send large files of up to 2GB.

Here’s how to send large files in email using WeTransfer:

1. Click the plus icon: Once on the site, click the plus icon to select the files you’d like to send. You can also opt to drag and drop the files on the site.
2. Enter email addresses: Enter your email address and that of the recipient in the spaces provided. 
3. Type the message: Type the title and body of the email you’d like to send with the attached documents.
4. Click on the three dots for more options: Click more options and select the option you’d like to use to send the file. Options include email, generating a transfer link, or using any messenger service.
5. Click “Transfer”: Once you’ve chosen an option, you can click on the transfer button, and your files will be sent.

Use a VPN

Using a VPN to send large files is best for those who want to do so securely. High-speed VPNs with nearby or local servers are the best way to transfer large files. With a VPN, you can compress the file size by 20-70%. Once you’ve reduced the file size through the use of a compression tool, you can transfer it using Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. 

A VPN helps you send large files through a secure tunnel. This means that you can use any option to send large files while your VPN is turned on to ensure that you’re sending the file securely. Some VPNs, like TunnelBear, have a free version with limited data, and others you have to pay for. 

Use FTP via FileZilla

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is great for compressing large files and uploading them to your hosting server. You can do this via one of the free FTP tools like FileZilla. This is a convenient option for sending files larger than 4GB. FTP files aren’t encrypted, but the platform is constantly updated to keep bugs away.

Here’s how to send large files using FTP:

1. Open FileZilla: Once downloaded and installed, click on FileZilla from the Start menu of your computer.
2. Select Site Manager: Click on File and select “Site Manager.”
3. Select New Site: On the bottom left options, click “New Site.”
4. Set up the FTP server connection: Select FTP – File Transfer Protocol on the protocol box, enter the address of the destination you’d like the files to land on, enter the number 22 on the port box, select the ask for password option on the logon type box, enter your username on the user box, and then press the connect button.
5. Click on the arrow: To transfer the large file, press the arrow next to the open site manager button and click on the server you’ve set up.
6. Enter 22 in the Port Box: Once you’ve entered this number, press the connect button.
7. A warning pops up: You’ll receive an “Unknown host key” warning. Tick “Always trust this host” and press ok. 
8. Enter your password: This will be asked for every time you transfer files. When you’re done, click the ok button.
9. Drag and drop files: Choose the Local Site on the left or Remote Site on the right to select files you’d like to transfer, and they’ll start transferring.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways you can send large files via email or through the internet. Just because Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo doesn’t allow you to send emails larger than 25 MB, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You can use cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. 

You can also use free services like WeTransfer, secure platforms with VPN, or file-compressing protocols like FTP. Some other options can be a little complicated, but cloud storages are the easiest and quickest way to sending large files via email. If these are sensitive files you don’t want leaking or accessed by anyone else, then have a VPN installed in your computer and turn it on when emailing large files. 
Since you’ve learned how to send large files through Gmail, then you can also try the Free Email Tracker for Gmail by PandaDoc. This helps you, the sender, see whether your files have been opened or viewed.