How to Send a Video Through Email

Use the cloud to share videos too large to send as attachments

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Updated on April 11, 2021

This article explains how to use file-sharing services to send a link instead of a large attachment when you want to share a video via email. The instructions apply to Gmail and Google Drive, Outlook and OneDrive, Yahoo, and Apple Mail, as well as most other email and cloud providers.

How to Send Large Videos Using Gmail

Gmail imposes a message-size limit of 25 MB. When your video is smaller than 25 MB, attach the file to your email message.

When you want to share a video file larger than 25 MB, save the file to Google Drive and send recipients a link to the file. Your recipients select the link to view the video.

To send a Google Drive link to a video in a Gmail message:

Select Compose within Gmail to open a new message window.
Select the recipient of the email, add a subject, and type your message.
Select the Google Drive icon at the bottom of the screen.
Select the Upload tab to save a video from your computer to Google Drive.
Choose Select files from your computer.

If you saved the video in Google Drive, select My Drive, choose the file, then select Drive link.
Choose the video file and select Open.
Select Upload and wait while the file is saved to Google Drive.
When the upload finishes, the video appears as a link in the email message.
Select Send. You're asked if you want to turn on link sharing.
Select Send to email the link and allow anyone who has the link to view the video.
When the recipient selects the link in the email, the video opens in Google Drive.

In addition to viewing the video, recipients can add the video to their Google Drive, download the file, and embed the video in a web page. If your recipient has a Google account, they can also make comments and share it with others.

How to Email a Video Using Outlook and OneDrive

Outlook imposes a message size limit of 20 MB. With a business account, the file size limit is 10 MB. When your video is smaller than the file size limit, attach the file to the email message.

When sending large video files with Outlook, save the video file to OneDrive and send a link to the file that anyone can view.

To email large videos using Outlook and OneDrive:

Open OneDrive and select the destination folder for the file.
Select Upload > Files.
Go to the folder containing the video, select the file, then select Open. The file uploads and a notification appears when the upload is finished.
Select Share Link.
Enter the email address or name of the recipient. As you type, you'll see suggestions based on your contacts list.
Enter the message text, then select Send.

Select Outlook to open a new message window containing a sharable link. Select Copy Link to copy the shareable link to the Clipboard and paste it into any document.
You and your recipient will receive an email with a link to the video. The link enables your recipient to play and download the video.

How to Email a Video Using Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail limits message sizes to 25 MB. When your video is smaller than 25 MB, attach the file to the email message. To send videos over 25 MB, insert a link to the file using a cloud-sharing service.

How to Email a Video Using Apple Mail

Apple OS X Mail sets a message size limit of 20 MB. When the video is smaller than 20 MB, attach it to the email message. For larger files, use an iCloud account and a service called Mail Drop to upload your file to iCloud, where it will be available for easy pickup by any recipient for 30 days.

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