Want to share a video with somebody who primarily uses email? Looking to create a download link that automatically expires, needs no extra space and no effort to set up either? Find out here how to send big files with iCloud mail on iCloud.com using Mail Drop.
First, Bloom, Bloomier, Bloomiest
Named for two Englishmen (one of them with connections to Singapore born aboard a ship on the sea, though, off the Jamaican coast) by an Austrian at the British museum, Rafflesia arnoldii stands out as a flower. It has no discernable roots, emits an odor that might tempt botanical gardens to enclose it in some way, and, measured at a 1-meter (3.3 feet) diameter, R. arnoldii produces the largest single flowers known.
Trying to send that giant bloom (or its electronic equivalent in size) by email? It won’t even take root in your email as a humongous attachment:
How to Send Big Files with Mail Drop in iCloud Mail
Time needed: 2 minutes
To use Mail Drop with iCloud Mail on iCloud.com to send a big email file attachment:
- Enable Mail Drop in preferences; see below.
- Start a new message in iCloud Mail at iCloud.com.
- Click the attachment icon.
- Select From this Mac or From this PC from the menu that has appeared.
From iCloud Drive: You can also send big files right from iCloud Drive; see below.
- Select and add the files you wish to send.
Drag and drop: You can also drag and drop files onto the email you are composing to attach them.
- Treat the files like regular attachments, continue composing your email and eventually send it.
Mail Drop: iCloud Mail uses Mail Drop automatically.
Limit: You can send files up to 5 GB with Mail Drop.
Without Mail Drop: The limit for sending direct file attachments in iCloud Mail is 20 MB.
Send a Document, Photo or Video Already in iCloud Drive
To send a big file right from iCloud Drive using iCloud Mail without having to (slowly) upload the file again:
- Click the attachment icon while you write an email in iCloud Mail.
- Select From iCloud Drive (or From iCloud Photos) from the menu.
- Find and select the file or document in iCloud Drive or iCloud Photos.
- Click Attach.
Enable Mail Drop for iCloud Mail at iCloud.com
To enable Mail Drop for sending large files:
- Open iCloud Mail preferences.
Here’s how: Go to the Mailboxes list, then click the gear menu icon and select Settings from the menu that appears. - Go to the Composing category.
- Enable Use Mail Drop when sending large attachments.
- Close the Composing settings panel.
How to Send Big Files with iCloud Mail: FAQ
How long can the attachment be downloaded?
The copy in iCloud Mail will be available for download for 30 days.
is this also true for files already in iCloud Drive?
Yes.
Mail Drop always creates a separate copy for the email attachment that is available for the whole download period.
(How to send big files with iCloud Mail and Mail Drop tested in a desktop browser; updated April 2024)