The right way to send a video by email depends mostly on file size. Here are three methods, from simplest to most capable.
Method 1: Attach it directly (short clips only)
For a clip under roughly 15-20 MB, attach it the same way you would a photo: open a new message, use the attachment/paperclip icon, and select the video file. This works well for very short recordings but will fail or get rejected for anything longer than a minute or so at typical phone-camera quality.
Method 2: Upload and share a link
For anything larger, upload the video to a cloud storage service you already use — Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, or Dropbox — then generate a shareable link and paste it into your email instead of attaching the file. Most cloud services let you set the link to “anyone with the link can view,” which is usually what you want for a recipient who doesn’t have an account with that service.
- Upload the video to your cloud storage app
- Find the “Share” or “Get link” option on the file
- Set sharing permissions to allow the recipient to view or download it
- Copy the link and paste it into your email
Method 3: Use a dedicated video-sharing tool
Some webmail providers automate this process for you. When you attach a file over their size limit, they’ll automatically upload it to their own cloud storage and swap the attachment for a link — Libero Mail’s JumboMail feature works this way, as do similar tools from other providers. See our email app comparison for how different providers handle this.
Choosing the right method
As a rule of thumb: under 15 MB, attach directly; above that, use a link. If you send video regularly, it’s worth checking whether your own email provider automates the link-conversion step, since that saves you from manually uploading files each time.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the biggest video I can attach directly?
Roughly 15-20 MB is a safe ceiling across most providers, though exact limits vary slightly by service.
Do I need the recipient to have an account with my cloud storage service?
Usually not, as long as you set the sharing link to allow anyone with the link to view or download the file.
Will a video link expire?
It depends on the service. Some cloud tools keep links active indefinitely by default; others, like Libero’s JumboMail, let you set an expiration date.