How To Send Large Files via Email in 2026?

We've all been there: you've created a lovely PDF and need to send it to the reader, but something goes wrong. When you attempt to send a large file as an e-mail attachment, an error message appears, and you can't send the file.

Although many people still use e-mail to share documents in 2026, email systems have not changed much in how they handle attachments. Most providers still limit file size — usually around 20–25 MB — which is very small today, when a few photos or a short video can already exceed that limit. Luckily, there are many simple and safe ways to send large files without problems,

What are the size limitations for sending a file?

Even in 2026, most e-mail services still limit attachments to about 20–25 MB. However, it’s important to know that the actual file size sent can be about one-third larger because email systems convert attachments into a special text format. This means a 20 MB file can become about 26 MB once sent — and may get rejected.

Here’s a quick overview of the latest limits:

• Gmail: 25 MB (uploads larger than that are sent automatically via Google Drive)

• Outlook / Microsoft 365: 20–25 MB by default, can be increased by administrators

• Yahoo Mail: 25 MB

• iCloud Mail: 20 MB

If your file is bigger than that, don’t worry — there are plenty of easy and free ways to share it. You can also try reducing the file size before sending. Tools like 7-Zip can compress files, but many modern documents and photos are already optimized.

If your file is still too big after compression, try using a large-file transfer tool. Services like WeTransfer, Smash, TransferXL, or Filemail let you send up to several GB for free. You simply upload your file and share the link by email — no account needed.

If you’re working with a large PDF, it’s worth preparing it properly before sharing. Try converting it to a readable, lightweight format using Publuu’s Flipbook Maker. This not only reduces file size but also turns your PDF into an interactive, online version that opens instantly in any browser — no downloads needed. You can try it for free by clicking the image below.

Hoe to send large files via e-mail with Publuu (Recommended)

In 2026, Publuu’s Flipbook Maker remains one of the smartest and most modern ways to share large files by email. Instead of sending a heavy attachment that might get blocked, Publuu stores your file safely in the cloud and instantly converts it into a beautiful HTML5 flipbook.

Your recipient doesn’t need to download anything — they can simply open the link and enjoy your file online, as a realistic, interactive e-book on any device.

But Publuu is much more than just a way to send big files online. You can make your PDFs come alive with videos, photo galleries, hyperlinks, and hotspots, turning them into engaging digital presentations or marketing materials. Readers can flip through pages, zoom in, and interact with your content — right inside their browser.

You can even embed your flipbook directly into the body of an email. Just click the Embed button next to your flipbook on the Publuu website and copy the generated code into your email. This way, your recipient can open and read the publication instantly — no attachments, no downloads, and no storage issues.

Publuu combines modern design, cloud technology, and easy sharing, making it a perfect 2026-ready solution for professionals, educators, and businesses who want to share large files in a smart, elegant way.

Publuu’s html5 flipbook example

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How to send large files via email with Google Drive?

n 2026, using a cloud storage service remains one of the most popular and reliable ways to send large files. Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and iCloud all integrate smoothly with email clients, so you can share a file just by sending a link instead of an attachment. This keeps your emails light and prevents delivery errors.

For example, if you send a large file via Gmail, the app can automatically transfer the file to Google Drive. Simply select the file you want to send and email it as you would any other attachment. You can delete it from your Google Drive after the recipient has downloaded it. You can upload files to the file-sharing service of your choice on your own and send files to the recipient's email address by right-clicking on the file and selecting "Shared link" or "Share files."

Today, almost all cloud platforms also allow temporary or view-only links. When you share a file, double-check permissions so that the recipient can only view (not edit) your file. You can even set a password or expiry date for more control.

How to send large files via email on my iPhone?

Many Android users link their Google account to their smartphones, which means they have at least 20 GB of Google Drive storage space even if they haven't actually applied for membership. However, iPhone users can also enjoy their own file transfer app, iCloud.

Even Windows users can use iCloud on their PCs to send and open files. You can also use the app to integrate with your Safari and Chrome password protection. The iCloud cloud storage app, on the other hand, is primarily used to send huge files, such as photos or films.

When sending an e-mail on the iPhone, you can upload large files to iCloud by selecting the option "send large files"; tap Add Document and select the document uploaded to iCloud. If you have Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox installed from the App Store, you can also use them.

Update for 2026: Apple’s Mail Drop feature now supports files up to 5 GB, automatically uploading them to iCloud and sending a download link. This is the easiest way for iPhone users to share big videos or photo collections via email.

How do I send large files through Outlook 365?

You can always use OneDrive if you don't want to use the Google Drive app to send large files. You can drag and drop files into the OneDrive folder if you're using Windows; they will be automatically synchronized with the server, sending large files in the background while you work.

In 2026, Outlook 365 will automatically suggest sending a OneDrive link when your attachment is too large. You can still upload manually — right-click a file, choose Share → Copy Link → View only, and paste it in your email. The recipient will see it as a normal clickable file link.

Outlook integrates OneDrive with email attachments; large files that exceed the file size limit may prompt you to upload the file to your cloud storage on OneDrive or elsewhere. You can do it quickly or simply send files through Windows Explorer.

How do I send large video files via email?

Some of the large files we encounter daily are videos. Luckily, we can convert them to YouTube format and upload them online. Instead of a download link, we can send the recipient just a link to the YouTube video. To do so, just click "Create" on the YouTube Toolbar, next to your profile picture and the notification marker. You can send larger files and make them private so that your videos can only be seen by the intended viewer.

Remember that you can also integrate YouTube videos with Publuu PDF; instead of sending large files via email, you can just send your readers a link to a PDF without the need to download anything!

Summary

Sending large files by email doesn’t have to be stressful. Most email systems still limit attachments, but with cloud services, file-transfer tools, or Publuu flipbooks, you can share anything — quickly and safely.

• Use Drive / Dropbox / OneDrive links for everyday sharing.

• Try WeTransfer / Smash / Filemail for one-time big transfers.

• On iPhone, Mail Drop can handle up to 5 GB automatically.

• And if you’re sending PDFs or marketing materials, Publuu is a perfect choice to make them interactive and lightweight.

Choose the option that fits your file size and purpose — and enjoy fast, easy sharing in 2026!

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How To Share Documents on Publuu
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