If you’ve got a big file—a high-resolution video, a folder of assets, or a chunky database—the simple task of sharing it can become a minefield. Email attachments bounce. Zipped files can become corrupt. File transfer services fail or time out. And that carefully prepped file you need to send? Still stuck on your device.
Unfortunately, traditional file-sharing methods just weren’t built for the way we work today—especially when the files are big, important, and deadline-laden—so how do you send large files without email limits or compression?
Whether it’s a single file or a batch, you need a tool that:
- Delivers quickly
- Sends files securely
- Harmonizes with your workflow
Anything else is a compromise, and that’s just not going to cut it in a world where professional standards are paramount. File sharing with Dropbox is fast, reliable, and hassle-free. You can send big files—with no compression or complicated workarounds. Here, we’ll explore a few methods. If you want to give these a try, sign up for free to get started.
Send a big file now using Dropbox Transfer
Need to send a giant file—fast? You can do it in a few clicks. Whether it’s a 4K video, a huge batch of design assets, or an eye-wateringly high-capacity archive, Dropbox Transfer is built for exactly this kind of moment.
You don’t need to compress, split, or wrestle with weird formats—just upload and go. Here’s how easy it is to send:
- Head over to dropbox.com/transfer
- Drag and drop your large file (up to 250 GB) into the upload box
- Click the gear icon to add a password, set an expiry date, or enable download notifications (for peace of mind)
- Hit ‘Create Transfer’ to upload your file
- Choose ‘Send email’ or ‘Copy link’ to share it however you like
Whether you're delivering final creative files to a client, sharing massive video edits with a remote team, or just making sure your digital assets land securely—Transfer gives you a fast, secure, no-fuss way to get the job done.
Ways to send big files with Dropbox
Dropbox gives you a few flexible, secure options for sending large files, depending on the situation.
Whether you’re collaborating on a live document or delivering the final thing, here are a few easy ways to make it happen send big files in a flash:
1. Send big files via a shareable link
When you’re working with teammates or collaborators and need everyone on the same page (or the same file, in this case), a shared link is your go-to:
- Upload your file to your Dropbox account
- Right-click the file and select ‘Copy link’ to generate a secure, trackable link
- Paste that link into your email, chat thread, or project document
That’s it! This is perfect for shared workspaces, ongoing edits, or simply giving your team direct access—without worrying about file size or who’s using what email platform. It’s also easy to add permissions and other controls.
2. Use Transfer for one-off file deliveries
Need to send a copy of a big file to someone, without the recipient being able to edit the original file? That’s where Transfer shines:
- Go to dropbox.com/transfer
- Upload files up to 250 GB (depending on your plan)
- Add security settings like password protection or download tracking
- Send a file link to anyone (email, Slack, or elsewhere)—even if they don’t have a Dropbox account
Using Transfer means you get the benefits of a speedy, reliable, and secure tool. It’s a sleek way to send final work to clients or external partners, without back-and-forth or breaking your usual workflow.
3. Share from email clients like Outlook or Gmail
If you’re already working in your inbox, we’ve got you covered:
- Use your preferred email tool with one of many Dropbox integrations for your favorite tools
- Insert links directly into Outlook or Gmail to bypass attachment size limits
- Share the full-quality file—no compression, no formatting errors
It’s a clean, professional way to send big files straight from where you’re already working—without annoying errors or failed sends.
Whether it’s collaboration, final delivery, or just getting around inbox limitations, Dropbox gives you multiple ways to send big files without the stress—with many other features and capabilities included.
How Dropbox gives you more than simple file sharing for big files
Sending big files is important. But why stop there? With Dropbox, you’re not just sending files, you’re upgrading your entire workflow with features that make creative collaboration and project delivery a whole lot smoother.
Here’s what else you get when you send big files with Dropbox:
- Powerful and secure cloud storage: Keep your files safe, organized, and always backed up in the most secure cloud storage around. Using encryption at rest and in transit with simple sharing controls, you get total peace of mind.
- Version history and file recovery: Accidentally overwrite your final file version? No problem. Robust file recovery and history features can roll back to previous versions and recover deleted files in just a few clicks.
- Cross-platform access: Whether you’re on your desktop, using your phone, or working from a browser, Dropbox functionality means you’ll always have the files you need at your fingertips.
- Built-in collaboration tools: Leave time-stamped comments or annotations directly on shared files so your team (or your client) can review, revise, and move projects forward—without endless email threads.
- Dropbox Replay Add-On: Need to send even bigger files (up to 250 GB) for video, audio, or creative assets? The Dropbox Replay Add-On has you covered—with advanced review and feedback features too.
Want to try it for yourself? Sign up for free and see how much easier sending (and managing) large files can be—with a tool that complements every aspect of your workflow.
Frequently asked questions
If your file is too large to send as a regular email attachment, which is common in many types of work, you can upload it to a cloud storage service like Dropbox. Then, simply generate a shareable link and add that link to your email message—you don’t need to compress or split the file.
You can use Dropbox Transfer to send big files. The person you send them to doesn’t need a Dropbox account. Just upload your file, set an expiry date, or add a password if you want, and share the link. You can send bigger and bigger files with flexible paid plans.
Use Dropbox Transfer or a shared Dropbox folder. With Transfer, you can send up to 100 GB (or 250 GB with the Replay Add-On). Just upload your files, set your options, and share the download link.
You can send files up to 100 MB for free. This is enough for many needs. If you need to send larger files, like high-resolution videos or design files, you can upgrade your plan. This lets you send up to 100 GB or more, depending on the plan.
Send big files more easily with Dropbox
Sending a large file shouldn’t feel like a full-blown project. But between email size limits, broken links, and zip files gone rogue, it often does. That time adds up—and slows down people who just want to get great work out the door.
With Dropbox, you can send huge files with total ease, speed, and polish. No matter what your industry—the methods above will empower you to deliver big files securely, without the hassle.
Whether you’re sending a work in progress, a big file for final delivery, or a folder—Dropbox makes it simple. You can try it free today and start sending big files with ease.
