How to Send Files Larger Than 25MB by Email: 5 Methods
Bypass Gmail and Outlook's 25MB attachment limit. 5 free, secure methods to send large files via email — no sign-up required.
How to Send Files Larger Than 25MB by Email: 5 Methods
Gmail, Outlook, and most email services cap attachments at 25MB. A few photos, one short video, or a couple of PDFs can blow past the limit instantly. This guide covers 5 practical ways to work around the email attachment size limit.
Why Email Has Attachment Size Limits
Email was originally designed for text messages. Attachments are base64-encoded (which inflates them ~37%), and mail servers have processing limits, leading to caps like:
| Service | Attachment Limit |
|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB |
| Outlook.com | 20 MB |
| Yahoo Mail | 25 MB |
| iCloud Mail | 20 MB |
| ProtonMail | 25 MB |
1. Cloud Storage Links (Google Drive, Dropbox)
The most common approach. Upload to the cloud and paste the share link into your email.
Pros: Large files supported Cons: Sign-up required, the cloud provider can access files, anyone with the link can download if leaked
2. Split into ZIP Archives
Split a big file into smaller ZIP parts and send them as separate emails.
Pros: No external service needed Cons: Recipient must collect all emails, very tedious, no security
3. WeTransfer / Send Anywhere
File-transfer-specific services.
Pros: Large files (up to 2GB) Cons: Auto-deletes after 7 days, ads on free tier, password protection costs extra
4. LOCK.PUB — Password-Protected Link
LOCK.PUB lets you create password-protected file sharing links without signing up.
Pros:
- ✅ No sign-up required
- ✅ End-to-end encryption
- ✅ Free password protection
- ✅ Recipients don't need to sign up either
Limits: Free: 5MB per file, Pro: 10MB
How to use:
- Go to lock.pub and select the "File Share" tab
- Upload your file and set a password
- Paste the generated link into your email
- Send the password through a different channel (phone, SMS)
5. Self-Hosted File + URL
Upload to your own server or hosting and send the URL.
Pros: Full control Cons: Requires technical skills, hosting cost
Comparison
| Method | Size | Sign-Up | Security | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | 15GB | Required | Medium | Free |
| Dropbox | 2GB | Required | Medium | Free |
| WeTransfer | 2GB | Optional | Weak | Free |
| LOCK.PUB | 5-10MB | No | Strong | Free |
| Self-hosted | Unlimited | N/A | Strong | Paid |
Which Should You Use?
- Sensitive documents (contracts, IDs): LOCK.PUB — password + encryption
- Large videos (1GB+): Google Drive or WeTransfer
- Multiple photos: Compress, then LOCK.PUB or cloud
- Temporary files: WeTransfer (auto-deletes in 7 days)
Final Thoughts
The email attachment limit is not just an inconvenience — it's also part of how email security is designed. For large or sensitive files, don't attach them directly to email. Use a secure dedicated method instead.
Try LOCK.PUB to send password-protected files for free, no sign-up required. Secure delivery in 30 seconds.
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