It’s a hectic day, and amidst all the work and deadlines, you attach all the necessary files to your email, hoping to send them before the due date. But just as you’re about to hit send, an error message pops up: “Email Attachment Error!” This is a situation most of us have encountered at some point. In such a situation, your first instinct is probably to turn to Google and type “how to send large files via email” in search of a quick fix.
For years, organizations have relied on email for their day-to-day operations. But when attachment limits get in the way, people often resort to makeshift solutions like splitting files across multiple emails, compressing folders, or finding shortcuts that not only put confidential information at risk but also pose cybersecurity threats.
That’s why we created this guide to show you how to send large files via email the right way without compromising security.
Email Attachment Limits (At-a-glance)
Businesses in the legal, financial, and medical industries often handle large amounts of data, such as case files, electronic discovery documents, patient information, and client details. These organizations heavily depend on email to exchange these important documents and details. However, the email system frequently falls short when it comes to sending large files due to attachment size limit restrictions, which is a vital requirement for these types of businesses in the modern era.
Email provider platforms such as Outlook and Gmail impose this limit because email inboxes generally have limited storage space. To prevent you from eating up too much storage on the recipient’s side, they limit you from sending large files via email.
Understanding these attachment size limits is important for successful communication as they vary significantly between different platforms. Let’s explore the email attachment size limits set by popular email service providers.
- Gmail: 25 MB per email; larger files auto‑convert to Google Drive links.
- Outlook.com: 25 MB attachment limit; share larger files via OneDrive.
- iCloud Mail: 20 MB normal messages; Mail Drop supports attachments up to 5 GB, stored for 30 days (1 TB rolling Mail Drop storage).
- Microsoft 365/Exchange Online (business): Org-controlled; administrators can permit up to 150 MB per message – although client applications may still enforce lower local restrictions. (Tip: many tenants keep conservative defaults.)
If you are wondering why this “25 MB” limit often fails at 20-22 MB, then it’s due to MIME/Base64 encoding. This encoding inflates the file size by 30-37% when converting binary files into plain text for email transmission.
Due to these limitations, you’re unable to send large files like as images, videos, archives or work documents effectively via email. As a result, people end up splitting files, zipping folders, or sending USBs by courier. This approach is far from ideal for time-critical legal documents, HIPAA-protected patient information, or last-minute financial reports.
The big question is still unanswered: how to send large files via email? In this guide, we’ll walk you through some simple and secure methods to get the job done.
1. Send large files via email using TitanFile
TitanFile is hands-down the most secure and reliable way to send large files through email, especially if security and speed both matter.
Unlike regular email, TitanFile has no file size limits. Files are automatically encrypted and stored with Canadian data residency. The platform is HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, and ISO 27001 certified and meets strict compliance standards trusted by legal, healthcare, and financial professionals.
TitanFile is a secure file-sharing platform that enables you to bypass email file size limits and exchange big files with your recipients. Your large files will be automatically encrypted by TitanFile to ensure that they’re secure at all times.
If email is already part of your workflow, TitanFile won’t feel like a learning curve. It’s just as easy to use as email, only safer and faster.
Here’s how to send large files via email in just 5 minutes:
1) Sign up for a free trial of TitanFile. (Don’t worry, no credit card is required)
Once you’ve signed up for a trial, check your inbox for instructions on activating and logging into the platform.
2) When you’re logged into TitanFile, you can begin sending files by creating a new channel. Think of a channel as a secure email. You’ll need to enter a subject line.
3) Add a contact by clicking the add contact icon. You can add as many contacts as you’d like. Each contact will be able to receive and send files securely to you.
4) Add a file by clicking the attach file button. You can also include a message by typing in the message box.
When you’re ready, click Send. And that’s it!
Your recipient will now receive a link to access the files securely.
With TitanFile, there’s no need to involve IT or wait on admin setup. Staff and clients can start sharing large files securely, on their own, from day one.
TitanFile also integrates with Outlook through its SecureSend add-in, allowing users to send large, sensitive files directly from their inbox.
This seamless, self-serve experience is what won over firms like Siskinds:
“The TitanFile platform was a one-stop shop for all of the firm’s file sharing needs”
– Steve Mueller, CIO at Siskinds
2. Send Large Files via Email With Integrated Cloud Services
Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud storage service offered by Google that enables you to upload large files or and entire folder to the cloud and share them by email.
With a free subscription and a Gmail account, you will get access to uploading up to 15GB of files.
To start emailing large files through Google Drive, first, you’ll need a free account with Google Email. You can set one up for one here.
Once you’ve set up your Google account, you can access your Google Drive by visiting drive.google.com. You should see something like this:
Simply drag and drop the large file into Google Drive, right-click the file and click share.
Next, type in the email address of the person you wish to share the file with. Click “Done” and voila! You’ve just shared a large file using Google Drive.
You can also send multiple files at the same time by creating a folder in Google Drive and sharing the folder.
You can also click “Get Link” to get a drive link that you can email your recipient.
iCloud Mail Drop
Mail Drop is Apple’s built-in feature for sending large files via iCloud without clogging your recipient’s inbox if you’re using an Apple device.
If a file is too large to attach in the Mail app on macOS or iOS, Mail Drop automatically kicks in. It uploads the file to iCloud and sends a secure download link to the recipient instead of a traditional email attachment.
You can send files up to 5 GB per message, and the link stays active for 30 days. The recipient doesn’t need an Apple device to download the file, as it can be accessed from their browser.
No setup is needed. Mail Drop works automatically when sending large attachments through the Mail app with iCloud enabled.
3. Compress Large Files Before Emailing Them
If your files are slightly larger than the 20 – 25 megabyte email limit, you may be able to get away with compressing your files before you send them.
However, if your files are much larger than 20 megabytes, it would be a much better solution.
When you compress files, you’re reducing the overall size of huge files in the package.
The process of compressing files will differ depending on what kind of computer you’re on.
Windows Operating System
If you’re on a Windows computer, you can right-click a file, go to “Send to” and click “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
The compressed file will appear in the same folder directory as the original file you compressed.
You’ll notice that the compressed file is smaller than the original. You can then email the file!
Mac Operating System
To compress a file on a Mac computer, control-click the file you wish to compress and click “Compress…”
Then, select .zip from the dropdown menu to the right of the filename. Click “Create.”
Once the zip file has been created, you can email the compressed document using your preferred email application.
For even better file compression, you can compress large files using file compression software such as WinZip or WinRar.
4. Send Large Files Via Email With a File Transfer Tool
WeTransfer
WeTransfer is a great way to transfer large files if you’re not looking for two-way collaboration with the recipient.
The free plan enables you to upload files up to 2GB. If you need to share files that are larger than 2GB, you can upgrade to one of their free plans.
To send large files via WeTransfer, visit WeTransfer.com and click the “Upload Files” button to attach a file, multiple files, or a folder. Then, fill out the form on their site which includes the recipient’s email, your email, a title, and a message.
It’ll also give you the option to add password protection to your files.
When you’re ready to send, click Transfer. Your recipient will then receive your files via email and they’ll be able to click on a download link.
SendAnywhere
SendAnywhere is a lesser-known but handy tool for transferring large files. The free plan allows you to send files up to 10 GB without signing up.
To use it, upload your file and choose between generating a 6-digit key, a direct link, or emailing. No installation is needed unless you want to use their desktop or mobile app.
It’s simple, but file availability is limited—it is usually only valid for 48 hours unless you create an account.
Filemail
Filemail is a simple tool designed specifically for sending files fast. The free version lets you send files up to 5 GB without creating an account. The files are stored temporarily, and your recipient gets a link to download them.
Paid plans unlock larger file sizes, permanent storage, and delivery tracking.
TransferNow
TransferNow allows file transfers of up to 5 GB on the free plan and up to 50 GB with a premium account. It supports uploads via drag-and-drop and offers a slick interface for email and link-based sharing.
It also offers tracking and notifications, which are helpful if delivery confirmation is needed.
5. Send Large Files via Email with a Collaboration Platform
Dropbox
Dropbox is another cloud-based tool for sending large files. The free plan allows you to store up to 2 GB, but file transfers are limited to 100 MB unless you upgrade.
To send a large file, upload it to your Dropbox account, then click “Share” and enter the recipient’s email address. You can also generate a shareable link and set permissions like view-only access or expiration dates.
Dropbox also offers Dropbox Transfer, a separate tool that lets you send up to 100 GB (on paid plans) without giving full folder access.
Box
Box is built for teams and businesses, offering free 10 GB of storage, but has a 250 MB upload limit. Paid plans increase both file size and storage capacity.
To share a file, upload it to your Box account, click “Share,” and invite specific users or create a public or password-protected link. You can also set expiration dates and track downloads.
Egnyte
Egnyte is another business-focused file-sharing and storage platform that offers tools for managing and controlling access to large files.
Depending on the setup, files can be stored in the cloud or on-premises. You can generate shareable links and send them via email. You can also apply settings like expiration dates, download limits, and password protection.
Egnyte supports files over 100 GB on certain plans, but it’s more tailored for teams already using it for document management.
When You Must Go Beyond Email Attachments (Security & Compliance)
Even though email is one of the easiest ways to share data quickly, it comes with its own drawbacks. A misdirected email or one sent to the wrong recipient by mistake can create serious security issues. Once an email is sent and the files are shared, there’s no way to take it back. You lose control over who can access those files and how they might use them.
With limited visibility into proof of delivery or proof of access and little to no audit trails for future review, email falls short of meeting the security requirements of large law firms and hospitals. These organizations handle highly sensitive client information every day, such as patient health records, evidence, and case files, and require stricter safeguards than email can provide.
Using a secure alternative like TitanFile, users can maintain a familiar email-like interface while benefiting from enhanced security features. TitanFile provides AES-256 encryption, granular access controls, detailed audit logs, configurable data residency, and compliance with widely recognized regulations such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR.
Send Files Without Limits, Without Worry, With Titanfile
TitanFile fixes file size limits, failed uploads, and security gaps for your organization. It’s faster than email, easier to use than cloud storage tools, and built for professionals who handle confidential information every day.
Start your free trial of TitanFile today and see why 500,000 professionals trust it to share files with their teams and clients confidently.
FAQs
How do I send large files like videos and images?
You can upload the files to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or TitanFile and share the link via email. These tools bypass size limits and keep the quality intact.
Can I send large files from my iPhone or Android device?
Yes. Use apps like TitanFile, Google Drive, or Mail Drop (iOS only). Upload the file in the app and send a secure link by email or message.
How do you send a large audio file?
Compress the file into a ZIP folder or upload it to a tool like WeTransfer, Google Drive, or TitanFile. Then, email the download link instead of attaching the audio file directly.
