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.
It’s common to be overwhelmed by thoughts such as “how do i send a large video through email without triggering spam traps.”
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 video files over email, how to send big videos, and tips for engaging your audience effectively.
The Problems With Large Videos in Emails
Despite email attachment size issues, you would want to send video through email 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.
Sending videos through email 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 or email engagement.
- 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 carriers for malware and viruses, increasing security protocol 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 spam rules limit the attachment size to 25 MB, whereas Outlook limits it to 20 MB.
So how do you email large video files?
Let’s explore the storage limits of standard email providers, which will help you prepare better.
How to Email Large Videos – 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.
Best Ways to Send Video 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 4 best 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 |
How to Send Videos That are Too Large in Emails?
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
Google Drive 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.
To share a video through Google Drive, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Upload the file to your Google Account by clicking on the “File Upload” option.
Step 2: Right-click on the “Share button” and allow access to anyone with the link.
Step 3: Next, click on the share link option.
Step 4: Paste the link into your email and send it.
OneDrive
OneDrive allows file uploads up to 250 GB. You can easily generate a link and control who has access to it.
Here’s how to upload videos on OneDrive:
Step 1: Upload the video file to Microsoft OneDrive.
Step 2: Click on the “Share” button at the top left corner.
Step 3: Copy the shareable link, paste in your email and send it.
Airdrop
The Airdrop feature helps you transfer larger video files via Bluetooth on Apple devices. Airdrop is ideal for file transfer within a short distance, mainly within Wifi and Bluetooth range.
Use the following steps to transfer video files through Airdrop:
Step 1: Enable “Allow for everyone” feature on Airdrop.
Step 2: Select the video file you want to share and click on the Airdrop option on your device.
Step 3: Check for the files in your “Recent” folder on the destination device.
iCloud
iCloud stores and syncs files across Apple devices. Its encrypted storage on Apple servers allows you to transfer data across the web safely.
Step 1: Sign in to your iCloud account.
Step 2: Select or upload the video you want to share.
Step 3: Right-click and choose the share option.
Step 4: Copy the link.
Step 5: Paste the link in the email and send.
Dropbox
Dropbox is another cloud storage that helps with the transfer of large files. Files uploaded to Dropbox.com must be 50 GB or smaller.
To share a video via Dropbox, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Sign in to Dropbox or create an account.
Step 2: Click on the Upload/drop option to upload your video.
Step 3: Choose the desired share options from the list.
Step 4: Copy the shareable link.
Step 5: Paste in the email and send it.
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.
Vimeo
Vimeo is an AI-driven platform to create, manage, and share videos. Users can choose the free plan with 1GB storage or the starter ($12), standard ($25), or the advanced plan ($65).
To send a large video through Vimeo, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log in or Join Vimeo by filling in your key details.
Step 2: Choose “Upload from computer” to create a file.
Step 3: Click on the “Copy link” option from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Paste the link in the email.
WeTransfer
WeTransfer is one of the most popular and secure ways to send large video files without an account.
To send a large video on WeTransfer, follow these steps:
Step 1: Sign in or log in using your social platforms.
Step 2: Click on the “Add Files” button on the main page.
Step 3: Enter the email address of the person you want to transfer it to.
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.
Flixier
Flixier is a free online video compressor that promises to compress videos without losing quality.
Follow the steps to send a large video through Flixier:
Step 1: Click on the “Compress video” button on their homepage.
Step 2: Upload the video you want to compress.
Step 3: Click on the “Compress” button.”
Step 4: Download or edit the video.
Step 5: Attach the video to an email and send.
Winrar
WinRar is an archive manager that also helps you back up your data and reduce the size of email attachments.
To send a large video file, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Download or purchase Winrar.
Step 2: Click on the “compression” option and choose the files.
Step 3: Select the desired compression level.
Step 4: Attach the compressed video to your email.
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 the physical sharing of files has drastically reduced. Sharing video files via a 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
Sending 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. Alternatively, you can request them to whitelist your email address for uninterrupted communication.
- 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 to the email: Briefly describe the video content to manage recipient expectations and avoid email fatigue.
- 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
If you’re wondering “how to send a video that is too big,” consider 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. You no longer have to worry about “how to send very long videos through emails.”
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 a 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.
FAQ
Can you send a video through email?
Yes, you can attach a video to an email if it meets the size limitations.
How to send an mp4 file via email?
Common questions from email marketers are “how to email an mp4 file.”
To send an mp4 via email, follow the steps below:
- Check the file size.
- Attach the mp4 to an email (the size limit can vary based on the email service provider).
- Compress the mp4 if needed.
- Consider file-sharing alternatives, such as WeTransfer or Dropbox.
- Click the send button.
How to send large mov files?
You can send big videos by following the methods below:
- Compress the mov file.
- Use file transfer services if the size is big.
- Email with file-sharing integration like Google Drive or Dropbox to bypass attachment size limitations.
What’s the Best Method for sending video files via email?
Here are the best methods to ensure sending video through email effectively reach your recipients:
- Keep the file size under 25MB by compressing them using VLC media player or similar services.
- Embed the video in the email.
- Optimize for email campaigns using email marketing platforms.
How long of a video can you email?
The length of the video you can email depends on the size restrictions by email providers. A rule of thumb is to keep the videos below 25MB for easier sharing.
How to send a movie via email?
Sending a movie via email again depends on the size of the file and email provider you’re using.
Follow the steps below:
- Compress the movie file.
- Use a cloud storage service.
- Upload the movie.
- Generate a link.
- Paste the link in the body and send.
What is the AOL attachment size limit?
The maximum file size for attachments in AOL is 25 MB.
How do I email a video over 25 MB?
Certain email clients like Gmail can have file size restrictions that can make sending videos via email a challenge. However, you can use alternatives like Google Drive and just share a link in the email.
What is the best video format for email?
The best video format to send videos through email is MP4 – it’s more compatible with browsers and email clients.
How to send too large videos?
The best way to share a large video file is to use cloud storage services like OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud. You just have to upload the video and generate a shareable link.
