How To Send Video Through Email: Quick Guides

Easy Ways to Send a Video Through Email

So, how exactly does one send a video through email? Let’s explore the best methods.

1. Attaching a video directly to your email

Email services have strict limits on the size of attachments:

You can embed a video in the email by clicking the paperclip icon when composing your email – as long as it fits these limits. But with a large video, you'll need to consider other options like compressing the file or using cloud storage.

Steps to attach a video:

1. Open your email client and start a new email.
2. Click the attachment icon (usually a paperclip button).
3. Select the video file from your device.
4. Make sure the video is small enough to attach, then hit Send.

Most email providers require users to include a fallback or alternative way for their recipients to access the video, such as an image with a link.

2. Compressing videos to fit size limits

If you have to share a long video, compressing it can make the file size small enough to send by email without losing much quality.

How to compress a video:

1. Open a tool like VideoProc.
2. Choose the MP4 format with H.264 encoding, which balances quality and size.
3. Adjust the bitrate to shrink the file further if needed.
4. Attach the compressed video to your email.

These simple steps make it easier to send large videos through email by addressing common problems like file size limits and compatibility.

3. How to send a big size video file via email

Here’s how you can send a large video file:

These methods can help you send larger attachments via email, regardless of the email provider. Our best advice though? You should keep the file size under 25 MB or 20 MB is usually enough to send videos without issues.

Using Cloud Storage Services for Large Video Files

If your video is too large to attach directly to an email, cloud storage services offer a simple solution. Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox let you upload the video and then share a link with your recipient.

1. Google Drive for Gmail Users

Gmail works well with Google Drive. This is an easy way to upload large files and share them with Gmail.

How to attach a video via Google Drive:

1. Upload your video to Google Drive.
2. Open Gmail and click Compose.
3. Click the Google Drive icon at the bottom of the compose window. This opens a smaller window within Gmail that shows your Google Drive folders.
4. Select the video file from your Google Drive folders.
5. At the bottom-right corner click on Drive Link. If the video is too large, the Attachment button will be disabled.
6. Click Insert on the button-left corner.
7. The selected video file should be attached to your draft email.

The recipient can access the video attached to the email body by clicking on the link generated by Gmail.

How to Manage Large Files in Gmail

Large emails can quickly fill up your Gmail storage. Once you’re out of space, Gmail won’t allow you to send videos anymore. Here’s how to clean up your Gmail storage and make space:

1. Create a backup of your videos: Save videos sent to you by email and back them up on a hard drive or cloud storage.
2. Delete large emails: Select emails with large attachments and move them to Trash. Then, empty the Trash folder to delete large emails permanently from your mailbox and to free up space for sending new emails.
3. Organize with a bulk email cleaner: Use tools to sort and delete large emails, like Clean Email. Read on to discover more ways to free up storage space using the Clean Email app.
4. Manage Google Drive and Photos: Delete old photos and videos from Google Photos to free up space.

2. OneDrive for Outlook Users

Outlook users can share large video files through OneDrive.

How to use OneDrive:

1. Upload your video to OneDrive from your computer.
2. From OneDrive, select your video and click on the Share button above, or right-click and select Share from the list of options. This opens a smaller window within OneDrive.
3. Click the Copy button under the Copy Link header of the window to generate a shareable link.
4. The window should change into a URL that links to your video. Click Copy to copy the URL to your clipboard.
5. In Outlook, click on New Email.
6. Paste the copied link to your email body.

Once you send the email, the recipient can access the video via the link you pasted in the email body.

How to Manage Large Files On Outlook

Outlook has a 20MB limit on attachments. Luckily, you can still get around the size limits and send large files on Outlook using the following methods:

1. Compress Files: Right-click the file, choose Compress, and attach the smaller file.
2. Split Files: Use tools like 7-Zip to divide large files into smaller parts.
3. Use Cloud Storage: Upload the file to OneDrive or another service and share the link.
4. Resize Images: Attach images, then go to File → Info → Resize large images when sending.

Sending Videos from Your Phone

Sending a video through email from a phone is convenient, that’s for sure. However, you might need to do some extra steps if the file size is too big.

1. Using Gmail on mobile

Gmail’s mobile app lets you attach videos directly from your phone or link them through Google Drive. When you attach a video to an email using this method, the file size is no longer important.

Steps on Gmail mobile:

1. Open the Gmail app and tap Compose to start a new email.
2. Tap the paperclip icon to attach a video. Choose the Google Drive icon for larger files.
3. Select your video and send the email.

2. iCloud Mail Drop (for iPhone Users)

iPhone users can take advantage of Mail Drop, a feature that allows large files to be sent via iCloud.

Steps to use Mail Drop:

1. Open your Photos app and select the video you want to send.
2. Tap the share icon and choose Mail.
3. If the file is too large, Mail Drop will prompt you to send it via iCloud.
4. Finish composing your email and send it.

4 Common Issues When Sending Videos Through Email

Most email providers allow file attachments to be sent through email. The list includes files like images, documents, and of course, videos. That said, sending a video comes with its own set of challenges.

1. File size limits

One of the biggest challenges is that most videos are too large to send as attachments due to the email providers' size limits. For example, Gmail only allows attachments up to 25 MB, and Outlook’s limit is 20 MB. A video that is too large or of high quality can easily exceed these limits.

2. Compatibility problems

Not all email clients or devices can handle every video format. While MP4 is usually fine, formats like AVI or MOV might not play properly, particularly on older devices or outdated software.

3. Slow uploads and downloads

A big-sized video can take a long time to upload or download. While this depends on your internet speed, potential delays are still possible. This is especially frustrating if the upload fails and you have no choice but to start over.

4. Spam filters

Emails with large attachments or embedded videos can sometimes get flagged as spam. You might have noticed this with work or school email systems that have strict security settings. In such cases, the email with the embedded video may not even reach the recipient’s inbox.

Wrap-Up

Sending videos through email can be easy if you know the limits and the right tools to use. Whether you’re attaching a small video, compressing a large one, or using cloud storage, there’s always a way to get your video to the recipient. With these tips and the help of Clean Email, you’ll always have enough storage space for your next big video while keeping your inbox organized without any hassle!