How to Send Large Files via Email Free (Bypass the 25MB Limit)

It’s the most frustrating notification in the digital world: "The file you are trying to send exceeds the 25MB attachment limit."

You have the email drafted. You have the file ready. But Gmail (and Yahoo, and Outlook) simply won't let you send it. Why? Because email protocols were designed in the 1980s for text, not for 4K videos or 2GB project folders.

So, how do you send large files via email free? You have to "cheat" the system. You don't attach the file; you attach a link. But there is also an even faster way if the recipient is nearby.

Method 1: The "Cloud Link" Trick (Google Drive / OneDrive)

This is the standard way to bypass the limit. Since Gmail and Google Drive are integrated, this is often the first choice.

How to do it:

1. Compose your email in Gmail.
2. Click the Google Drive icon (Triangle) instead of the Paperclip icon.
3. Upload your large file to Drive.
4. Gmail will automatically insert a link to the file instead of the file itself.

The Downside: Storage limits. You only get 15GB of free space. If your cloud is full (thanks to Google Photos backup), you can't upload the file unless you pay for a monthly subscription or delete old memories.

Method 2: WeTransfer (The "One-Off" Solution)

If you don't want to clutter your Google Drive, services like WeTransfer allow you to send up to 2GB for free without an account.

It works, but it requires uploading the file to their server first. If your internet upload speed is slow, you will be staring at a progress bar for a long time.

Method 3: ShareGo (The "Skip Email" Solution)

Here is a question: Why are you emailing the file?

If you are sending a large video or app to a colleague in the same office, or a friend sitting next to you, using email is actually the slowest possible method.

Instead of uploading to the cloud (slow) and emailing a link (slow), use ShareGo.

Comparison: Email vs. ShareGo

Let's look at the difference between "attaching a link" via Email and sending directly via ShareGo.

Feature	Email (Cloud Link)	ShareGo (Direct)
Max File Size	15GB (Drive Limit)	Unlimited
Transfer Speed	Slow (Depends on Upload speed)	Ultra Fast (Wi-Fi Direct)
Privacy	Stored on Cloud Servers	No Cloud Storage (Device-to-Device)
Internet Required?	Yes	No

When should you use which?

Use Email (Cloud Links) when:

• The recipient is in another city or country.
• You need a formal paper trail of the file transfer.
• The file is moderately sized (e.g., 50MB - 200MB).

Use ShareGo when:

• The recipient is nearby (same room/building).
• The file is HUGE (1GB, 10GB, 50GB+).
• You have poor internet connection or limited mobile data.
• You want privacy (you don't want the file sitting on a Google/Microsoft server).

Summary: Stop Fighting the Attachment Limit

The 25MB email limit isn't going away. While you can use cloud links to send large files via email free, it's often a workaround, not a solution.

If you want true freedom from file size limits, stop relying on 1980s technology (email) for 2026 data needs. For local, fast, and unlimited transfers, switch to direct sharing.