Send Files (Up to 10 GB) With Gmail Using Google Drive

Easily share large fles

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on April 9, 2021
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

Emailing large files may not be possible through a standard file attachment. One way to bypass the file size limit of your email provider is to send the big file as a link that the recipient can download from the cloud. Google Drive and Gmail are the perfect duo for this.

Sending large files (up to 10 GB in size) through Gmail via Google Drive is as easy as uploading the file to your Google Drive account and then sending it as a shared URL. The process is similar, but not exactly the same as sending a regular file attachment in Gmail.

These directions apply to Gmail on computers, phones, and tablets. However, the process looks different on mobile devices, so take note of which set of instructions you're following.

There are other ways to email large files if you don't use Gmail or Google Drive. Cloud storage services and online backup services that support file sharing usually let you send large files. There are also P2P file-sharing techniques that don't have a file size cap.

How to Send Large Files Through Gmail Using Google Drive

There are two ways to use Google Drive to email big files. If you uploaded the file to Google Drive, select it while you're composing the email. Or, if the file is on your computer, upload it to Google Drive and send it all in one motion.

  1. When composing the email from the Gmail website, select the Google Drive icon from the bottom toolbar.

    Google Drive icon in Gmail New Message

  2. At this point, you can send the large file by choosing it from your Google Drive account (if it's uploaded there) or upload it now.

    To upload the file right now, select the Upload tab and choose Select files from your device. If you're choosing a file that's stored in your Google Drive account, find it in one of the other tabs: My Drive, Shared With Me, or Recent.

    Drag files here or Select files fromyour device dialog in Google Drive via Gmail

    You can upload more than one file at once by selecting all the files at the same time. Or, after you upload the first file, select Add more files to choose others to send.

  3. Select Upload or Insert if you're selecting existing files.

    Upload button in Gmail's Google Drive interface

Send Large Files From an Android Device

Use these steps to send large files via Gmail on your Android device:

  1. When composing the email, select the attachment icon (the paperclip), and select Insert from Drive.

  2. Browse or search for the file you want to send through Gmail from Google Drive.

  3. Choose Select. Repeat the first two steps to add more files.

  4. Finish composing the email if you need to, then select Send.

    Screenshots of Gmail on a mobile device with the Attach and Select buttons highlighted

Send Large Files From iOS

If you're using the Gmail app on an iOS device, do this:

These steps apply to the Gmail app for iOS devices, not the built-in email client called Mail. The process for attaching files in the iPhone Mail app is different.

  1. Open the message you're replying to or forwarding, or start a new one, and then tap the paperclip or attachment icon at the top of the screen.

  2. Scroll down to the Drive section and select the file you want to send via Gmail. Tap the arrow to search and browse for files. Repeat these steps to add more files.

  3. When you're done writing the email, use the send button to email the large file via Google Drive.

    Screenshots of the Gmail app for iOS showing how to attach a file from Google Drive

How to Share File Access on Your Computer

If the file you're sending has share permissions in Google Drive, but the people you're sending it to don't have permission to access the file, you'll be given a few options after you select Send (desktop-only).

Someone needs access to the file prompt in Gmail
  • Share: Select the first drop-down box next to Share with <#> person to give the recipients view, comment, or edit access.
  • Turn on link sharing: Link sharing permits view access only and doesn't let the recipients re-share the file.
  • Don't share: Choosing Don't give access at the bottom of the prompt will send the Google Drive file but won't give the recipients any access. You can always provide an access level later.

How to Share File Access on Your Mobile Device

If you're using the mobile app, you'll see a prompt first. Tap More Options to manage the sharing. You'll see the following options:

  • Recipients only lets you share the file with the email recipients. They must log in to their Google account to access it. You can give them view, comment, or edit permissions.
  • Anyone with the link is for giving anyone access, even if they don't have a Google account. You can give them view, comment, or edit permissions.
  • Continue without sharing shares the file without giving them permissions.
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