How to Send a Large Video Through Email: The Big File Blues, Solved
Whether you’re trying to send a funny pet video or share a project update with colleagues, it’s possible to be hit by the “File size too large” message.
Email attachment sizes are generally small, making it challenging to send high-quality or large videos. While email clients can have limited attachment sizes, it does not mean you have to stop sharing your favorite videos with the world.
In this guide, we’ll learn how to send a large video through email and tips for engaging your audience effectively.
The Problems With Large Videos in Emails
Despite email attachment size issues, you would want to share videos without compromising quality. These days, even videos shot on mobiles comprise high pixels, contributing to bigger file sizes. And larger videos can end up cramming your emails, leading to unexplained bounces.
They can also impart the following problems:
- Email provider restrictions: Most email clients set a limit of 10 MB to 25 MB on attachment sizes. Often, larger video files exceed this limit, preventing the email from being sent.
- Recipient’s server limits: Although your email provider may allow bigger video attachments, your recipient’s servers may have restrictions, causing emails to bounce.
- Low inbox storage quota: Larger video files can fill up recipient’s inbox storage limits, preventing them from receiving future emails.
- Slow download times: Huge attachments can consume the recipient’s time and slow down the interaction.
- Higher bandwidth consumption: Bigger videos can consume bigger bandwidth, making it difficult for users with limited data plans.
- Increased attachment corruption: Large files are prone to attachment corruption, leading to playback errors for recipients.
- Security risks: They can be a carrier for malware and viruses, increasing security risks. Additionally, larger files with sensitive or personal data can raise privacy concerns, especially if the email is forwarded to multiple recipients.
Email providers heavily limit file sizes for security reasons, but how big should your file size be? The answer varies with each email client. For example, Gmail limits attachment size to 25 MB, whereas Outlook limits it to 20 MB.
Let’s explore the storage limits of standard email providers, which will help you prepare better.
Email Providers and Attachment Size Limits
Email providers limit file sizes to ensure smooth email delivery and server efficiency. Common file attachment sizes vary between 5 MB and 25 MB.
The table below explains the file size ranges for different email providers.
| Email Provider | Attachment Size Limit |
|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB |
| Google Workspace | 25 MB |
| Office 365 | 150 MB via Outlook |
| Outlook.com | 25 MB |
| GoDaddy | 30 MB |
| BlueHost | 50 MB |
| Yahoo | 25 MB |
| iCloud Mail | 20 MB |
| ProtonMail | 20 MB |
| AOL | 25 MB |
If there is a video file larger in size than the mentioned attachment limit, you can use third-party platforms and cloud storage to send it.
We’ve explored more solutions to help you send videos of any size.
Solutions for Sending Large Videos Through Email
Before choosing a platform, ensure your video format is acceptable. Various video formats require different solutions. The common format is MP4, but your videos can also use AVI, MOV, or WMV formats.
Here are some ways to send larger video files through emails.
| Video Attachment Solution | How to |
|---|---|
| Cloud storage services | Upload the video to a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and share a link in your email |
| File transfer services | Use services like WeTransfer and Box to get the link to the video |
| Video compression | Compress the video file size while being mindful of the quality reduction |
| File transfer protocol | Transmit messages to a centralized server and provide recipients with the credentials |
Let’s delve into the nitty gritty details of sending large video files through emails.
1. Use Cloud Storage Services
Instead of attaching a large video file to the email, use cloud storage options such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox and send a link to the recipients.
Cloud storage is one reliable way to send large video files. It also makes it one step for the sender and receiver to upload and download files quickly.
You can use either of the following cloud storage services:
- Google Drive: It is a popular option for sending and receiving large files, with a limit of 25 MB. Users receive 15 GB of free storage once they sign up for it. You can easily access this option from the Gmail account or use a Google Chrome extension.
- OneDrive: OneDrive allows file uploads up to 250 GB. You can easily generate a link and control who has access to it.
- Airdrop: This feature helps you transfer larger files via Bluetooth on Apple devices. Airdrop is ideal for file transfer within a short distance, mainly within Wifi and Bluetooth range.
- iCloud: iCloud stores and syncs files across Apple devices. Its encrypted storage on Apple servers allows you to transfer data across the web safely.
- Dropbox: Dropbox is another cloud storage that helps with the transfer of larger files. Files uploaded to Dropbox.com must be 50 GB or smaller.
2. Use File Transfer Services
Certain websites help you upload large video files and get a link to them. Sites such as Vimeo, YouTube, and DailyMotion are designed to host and share videos. Some of these sites will also prompt you to enter the recipient details and share videos from there.
3. Compress the Video File
If you are not fond of using external resources to upload videos, you can shrink your file size and attach it to emails. Compression is the method of reducing the file size or the video quality to make it shareable via email.
Compression can be handled in three ways:
- Reducing resolution: Lowering the video resolution reduces the file size while having a minimal impact on the video quality.
- Lowering bitrate: Bitrate determines the amount of data used per second in the video. Reducing this shrinks the file size but can affect video quality.
- Changing video codec: Different video codecs handle compression differently. For example, H.265 can offer better quality than the older versions.
Another method is to Zip the file, which compresses the video without loss of quality. Recipients then have to click on the file to unzip it.
4. Use File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP is a standard network protocol to transfer files from one host to another using a centralized server, such as the Internet. In simple terms, the client initiates a transfer request to the server through a username and password and shares it with the recipients to access the file.
5. Use a USB Drive
With the world rapidly moving toward the digital future, the need for physical sharing of files has drastically reduced. Sharing video files via USB drive requires the sender and the receiver to be present at the same location. In other cases, it requires physical delivery of the USB drive to the recipient.
Other possible ways are to edit the video file or lower the resolution to bring it under the normal attachment limit.
Read through more tips to know how to send a large video through email.
Tips to Send Long Videos to Recipients
Sharing long videos can be tricky, especially because of security concerns.
Follow these tips to adapt to proper video-sending methods.
- Inform the recipients: Let the recipients know that you’re sending a long video in the email, particularly if downloading it will take time.
- Choose the right video transfer solution: Consider the recipient’s technical capabilities and preferences. If they are uncomfortable with file transfer services, cloud storage will be a better option.
- Password-protect sensitive videos: For added security, use password protection offered by some file transfer services for sensitive videos.
- Add context in the email: Briefly describe the video content to manage recipient expectations.
- Consider physical delivery: If digital delivery is impossible, deliver the video files physically through a USB.
- Check copyright: Ensure you have the right to share videos.
- Provide download suggestions: If your recipients have a limited data plan, consider the video file size and suggest downloading via wifi.
Whatever method you choose to send your videos, incorporate clean sending practices to maintain a high sender reputation and email deliverability rate. If you are using an email service provider, employ their features and tools to ensure higher open and click-through rates.
Choosing the Right Solution to Send Large Video Files
Sending large video files can be challenging, considering the attachment limitations. Due to its nature, bigger attachments naturally risk spam threats and blocking.
Using a reliable ESP like Campaign Refinery can ensure that your emails land in the recipient’s primary inbox.
Campaign Refinery adheres to clean sending practices and security measures by:
- Authenticating domains,
- Using strict protocols such as SPF and DKIM,
- Employing an automatic email list cleaning tool,
- Increasing engagement through the Engagement Rewards feature,
- Utilizing top-notch email deliverability technology and high-speed sending engine to ensure the highest email deliverability rate on the market.
With a comprehensive suite of tools to craft, manage, and deliver impactful video campaigns, Campaign Refinery ensures the best email marketing results.
Streamline your video deliverability today.
