We've all been there before — you try to send a video through email, only to get an error message telling you the file is too large. Frustrating as it is, there are actually a few different ways you can avoid this dreaded pop-up. If you want to learn some tips and tricks on how to email a video that is too large, stay tuned!
We'll also show you a few different methods that you can use to get your video into the hands of your intended recipient. So, whether you're trying to email a video to friends or family, or you need to share a video for work, we've got you covered. Let's get started!
How to Email Large Videos in Several Different Ways
Before we go into the matter of how to send videos that are too big for email messages in earnest, we must first discuss size because, believe it or not, it does matter!
Most email clients have size limitations, and if you're not sure of the limit for your particular client, it's always best to check. To give you an idea, Outlook only allows users to send attachments that are up to 20MB in size, while Yahoo Mail and Gmail have a 25MB limit. So, if you're trying to send a video that is larger than what your email client will allow, don't worry because there are other ways.
How to Send a Large Video Through Email Using Cloud Storage Service
One of the simplest ways to send a large video file is to use cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox. They let you upload video files to a server and then generate a link that you can share with whomever you want. The recipient can then click on the link and download the video file to their own computer.
While these easy, fast, affordable services are excellent for general-purpose video sharing, they might not be perfect out-of-the-box solutions when sharing videos that may contain sensitive information. Especially in highly data-sensitive sectors like healthcare, it's crucial to ensure that your method of sharing complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). So, before choosing a cloud storage service, evaluate their HIPPA compliance with this HIPAA compliance checklist. This step is crucial to guarantee the protection and security of sensitive data.
Now that disclaimer is done, let's go into the details.
Drop it Using Dropbox
Dropbox is perhaps the most convenient option to send large videos or files in general because it does not have a file size limit. You can easily create a shared link for any video in your Dropbox account and share it via email or social media. The recipient of the shared link will be able to view, download, or even stream the video without having to sign up for a Dropbox account. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to email large videos via Dropbox:
- Sign in to your Dropbox account and go to the “My Files” page.
- Click on the video you want to share and then click the “Share” button.
- In the pop-up window, click on the “Create a link” tab and then select “Create Link.”
- Copy the link and paste it into an email or message.
- Send the message to the intended recipient.
You can also click on the “Share Link” button to automatically open your default email client with the link already inserted. All you need to do is add a message and the email address of the intended recipient.
Drive It Up with Google
Google Drive is another excellent option for sharing large videos and sending multiple photos because it also doesn't have a file size limit. You can easily create a shareable link for any video in your Google Drive account and share it with anyone you want. The recipient of the shared link will be able to view or download the video without having to sign up for a Google Drive account. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to email a long video via Google Drive:
- Sign in to your Google Drive account and go to the “My Drive” page.
- Click on the video that you want to share and then click the Share icon.
- In the pop-up window, click on the “Get shareable link” icon.
- Copy the link and paste it into an email or message.
- Send the message to the intended recipient.
Send It Out with Outlook's One Drive
And since Outlook accounts for a lot of the global number of email users, here is how to send a video that is too large using their cloud service:
- Sign in to your Outlook account and go to the "Outlook Mail" page.
- Go to the three-by-three grid of dots in the upper left corner and select "One Drive."
- Click on the video that you want to email or upload it if it's not on One Drive already. Note that a large video may take some time to upload, so do not close the window until the process is completed.
- Once the video is uploaded, click "+New"> "Attach" > "One Drive."
- Choose the video file you wish to email and click "Next" > "Attach as a One Drive file."
- Finish composing your email, then click "Send."
Your video will be shared in the form of a link. When your recipient clicks the link to open the file, they will have the choice to download it.
How to Send a Large Video through Email Using 7-Zip
If you need to email a video that is too big for any of the methods above, your next best option is to compress it into a ZIP file. This will reduce the file size significantly, making it easier to email. The only downside is that the recipient will need to have 7-Zip (or another similar program) installed on their computer in order to open the ZIP file. Here is how to compress a video into a ZIP file using 7-Zip:
- Download and install 7-Zip if you don't already have it.
- Right-click on the video file that you want to compress and select "7-Zip" > "Add to archive."
- In the "Add to Archive" window, select "ZIP" as the format and choose a compression level. We recommend using "Fastest" for videos since it will have the least impact on quality.
- Click "OK" to start compressing the video.
- Once the process is finished, you can start composing your email and attach the newly created ZIP file.
- Finish composing your email and click "Send."
Now you know how to make a video smaller to email. Keep in mind, though, that even after compressing the video into a ZIP file, it may still be too large to email. If this is the case, you can try splitting the ZIP file into smaller parts using 7-Zip (or a similar program) and then emailing each part separately.
WeTransfer: The Quick and Easy Way
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to email large video files, WeTransfer is a great option. It's a free service that allows users to send files that are up to 2GB in size. The process is quite simple, all you need to do is go to the WeTransfer website and upload your video file. Once the upload is complete, you'll be given a link that you can email to whomever you need to. The recipient can then click on the link and download the file to their own computer.
The Bottom Line
Emailing large videos can be a pain, but it doesn't have to be. With the methods outlined above, you should have no problem sending even the largest video files without any issue. Just remember to keep the file size within the limitations, and if all else fails, you can always compress the video into a ZIP file.
FAQs
How do you email a large video?
There are three different ways you can send a video that is too large for email:
- Use a file-sharing service;
- Compress the video into a ZIP file;
- Split the ZIP file into smaller parts and email each part separately.
How do you send a video that is too large on Android?
- On your Android, open Google Drive.
- Log in to Google Drive with your Google account.
- Tap the "+" sign and then pick Upload.
- Select the video you wish to upload.
- Choose the menu below the video to see more options.
- Select "Link-sharing off" to get a shareable link.
- Go to the menu again and copy the link.
Now you can paste the video link to the email message and send it. This link allows anybody who receives your email to download the video you've uploaded as long as you don't remove it.
How do you send a large video through email from your iPhone?
- Go to the Photos app on your iPhone and select the video you want to send by email.
- Tap the share icon in the bottom left corner.
- Select Mail from the share sheet.
- The Mail app will open with a new message containing a link to your video. Just add your recipient's email address, then tap Send.
This is how to email a video that is too large from your iPhone. Basically, your video will be uploaded to iCloud, and a link will be generated that you can share with anyone. The recipient can then click the link to download the video to their device.
