Best ways to send large files on any device

Nora HoganJuly 24, 2023302K views

Have you ever tried to send a longer video or a presentation and been alerted that the file is too large to send? Regardless of the device you use, most communication platforms such as texts, emails, and other applications impose a file size limit, restricting you from sending larger files. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible, though. Here are my tricks for sending large files on any device.

To send large files on iPhone via AirDrop

You can send large files a few different ways through iPhone, and choosing which way will depend on if the person on the receiving end also has an iPhone or not. If both parties have an iPhone and are nearby, here’s how to send a large file via AirDrop. You can send photos, videos, files or documents, and more via AirDrop.

How to send large files on iPhone via AirDrop

Make sure both parties are in close range and have Bluetooth turned on
Open the files you’re sending to the other person on your iPhone, and tap the Share icon
Tap the AirDrop icon
Select the person you want to AirDrop the file to. If you don’t see them, make sure that you both have AirDrop set to allow Everyone to send to you. To check that, follow these steps
- - - Go to Settings > General > Airdrop > Everyone for 10 minutes
Once you tap the other person’s name or iPhone, they will receive a pop-up notification asking if they’d like to Accept or Decline the file you shared
When they tap Accept, the file will be saved

The location it is saved to will depend on the file. If it’s a photo or video, it will typically go to the Photos app. If it’s a different type of file, the person receiving the file will choose where to save the file on their phone.

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To send large files on iPhone via iCloud link using Mail Drop

If you’re sending a large file with an iPhone, you can send it via iCloud link regardless of if the person on the receiving end has an iPhone or not. As long as you’re signed into your iCloud account on your iPhone, you can email or text larger files using the built-in iCloud feature. If you have an iCloud account, you’ll automatically be given the option to attach larger files to your email via what’s known as Mail Drop. Here’s how to attach a photo or video too large for an email using Mail Drop.

How to send large files via iCloud link using Mail Drop

1. Compose a new email

On the Mail app on your iPhone, tap the compose button () to begin a new email. Fill in the recipient’s email address, subject line, and the body of the message.

2. Add an attachment

Then below the body of your email, tap the left arrow icon (<) and then click the icon used to access the media library. This icon looks like a square with a mountain landscape inside it. Once you tap it, you can add a photo or video. Select the photo or video from your photo library, and then tap the X. Tap the up blue arrow to send.

3. Use MailDrop if your attachment is too big

If your photo or video is too big to attach to an email, you’ll receive an alert like this (below)

In that case, you should select Use Mail Drop

Note: To use Mail Drop, only the sender needs to be an iCloud user, and you don’t even have to send the email from your iCloud account. Your iPhone will upload the video to your iCloud for one month and send a link to the recipient that they can click to download the attachment in its full resolution.

MORE: WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR FRIENDS GOT AN EMAIL FROM YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T SEND?

To text files or send through any app

To text files or send through any app, use your iCloud Files app. It comes on your iPhone, and you can upload any files to it.

How to text files or send through any app

On any photo, video, document, or file on your iPhone, tap the Share icon (looks like a square with an arrow pointing up)
Scroll down and tap Save to Files
Select where in the Files folder you want to save it
Open your Files app and select the file
Tap the Share icon
You can then tap Message, Mail, or another app, or even Copy just to copy the link
Send as normal, and your file will now be shared through your Files app to the recipient to view

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To send large files on Android

The best way to send large files over Android is using Google Drive. If you don’t already have a Gmail or Google account, you can create one for free. Google accounts come with 15 GB of free storage (across all your Google accounts, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos). Then you can send large attachments using Google Drive, which comes free with your Google account; just’ download the app from the Google Play Store.

How to send large files on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

You can upload any photo, video, or file to your Drive by tapping the Share icon (looks like < )while you have it open
Tap Drive (you might have to hit the round circle with three dots and the word more)
Rename the file if you’d like and tap Save

Now you can share your file through the Google Drive app here’s how.

How to share your file through the Google Drive app

Open Google Drive and click the file you want to share
Tap the three vertical dots on the top right
- Select Share to share with someone through Google Drive to their email address
- Or tap Copy link if you’d like to send the link yourself through text or in an email body

Try reducing the size of the image or video

On Samsung

Go to photo or video in your camera roll
click the edit (pencil icon)
Click the 3 vertical dots (lower right-hand corner or upper right-hand corner depending on your device)
- Photos: Click Resize
  - Resize image to a lower percentage (i.e. 40% (1200×1600)) to reduce the size of the file to then send.
  - Click done and then click Save in the upper right-hand corner
  - Click Save again
    - You can always revert back to the original by tapping Revert in the upper right-hand corner to go back.
    - Or you can keep the original and edited versions separate by tapping the 3 vertical dots and save as copy. After saving as copy you can then reduce the size of that copy.
- Video: Click Size and format
  - Resize video to a lower resolution
  - Click done and then click Save in the upper right-hand corner
  - Click Save again.
    - You can always revert back to the original by tapping Revert in the upper right-hand corner to go back.
    - Or you can keep the original and edited versions separate by tapping the 3 vertical dots and save as copy. After saving as copy you can then reduce the size of that copy.

To send large files on PC

Similarly to Androids, one way to send large files on Windows or PC computers is through a third-party app like Google Drive.

How to send large files on PC

Visit drive.google.com and tap + New
Tap File upload
Select your file from within Google Drive
Tap the three vertical dots on the top right
Tap Share to share directly through email or tap Get link to send your own way

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Other options to send large files

Dropbox

Dropbox also offers a small amount of free storage – 2 gigabytes, to be exact. Dropbox is a great way to upload large files that you can easily share through their app or desktop website.

If you’ve uploaded a file to Dropbox, you can tap Copy link or Share to add someone’s email directly.

WeTransfer

Like Dropbox, WeTransfer offers the same small amount of storage – 2 gigabytes. You can now manage sent and received transfers in one simple overview. Know the minute files are downloaded. Resend, forward, or download your transfers with a click.

Kurt’s key takeaways

There are several ways to send large files on any device. On iPhone, files can be sent through AirDrop, email, text, or other apps using the iCloud Files app. If you are trying to send a large file on a Mac, it’s best to use AirDrop or email to send files. For Android, PC, or Windows, Google Drive is the best option for sending large files. You can also use Dropbox or WeTransfer, as mentioned above. Regardless there are always options to send large files without having to worry about the file size limit.

Have you ever had trouble sending a larger video or file? How did you resolve the issue? Let us know by commenting below.

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