Most email providers cap attachments well below what a phone camera, a scanned document, or a video can produce today, which is why a large file often bounces back instead of sending, sometimes with no clear explanation of why it failed. Windows and Mac both have a free, built-in way around this: instead of attaching the file itself, you send large files with a OneDrive or iCloud link, sharing access to a copy stored in the cloud rather than squeezing the whole file into the message. This guide walks through creating and copying that link on both platforms, step by step, plus a few things worth knowing before you send one, like who can see it and what happens if you later move or delete the original file.
How to send large files with a OneDrive or iCloud link
!Email says your file’s too big?
A free link from OneDrive or iCloud sends it instead, no size limit.
1Windows 11: share a OneDrive link
Right click the file, choose Share a OneDrive link, then Copy link.
2Mac: share an iCloud link
Right click the file in Finder, choose Share, then Copy Link.
A few things to know
- Choose who the link is for — “Anyone with the link” is easiest; “specific people” is more private
- Moving or deleting the file breaks the link — The link points to the file in the cloud, not a separate copy
- Don’t share sensitive files this way by default — Set an expiration date, or require sign-in, for anything private
Recap: send large files with a OneDrive or iCloud link
- Windows 11: right click, Share a OneDrive link, Copy link
- Mac: right click, Share, Copy Link
- Paste the link instead of attaching the file
- Moving or deleting the file later breaks the link
Printable quick guide
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t my email send a large attachment?
Most email providers cap attachments, commonly somewhere around 20 to 25 megabytes depending on the provider, so a large photo, video, or scanned document can bounce back or fail to send.
How do I share a OneDrive link on Windows 11?
Right-click the file in File Explorer, choose Share a OneDrive link (or Share), pick who the link is for, then select Copy link, and paste it into your email or text.
How do I share an iCloud link on a Mac?
The file needs to be in iCloud Drive, Desktop, or Documents. Right-click it in Finder, choose Share, pick who the link is for, then Copy Link.
Does the link stop working if I move the file?
Yes. The link points to that specific file in the cloud, not a separate copy, so moving, renaming, or deleting the original file can break the link. If you need the link to keep working long-term, leave the file where it was when you created the link, rather than reorganizing it into a different folder afterward.
Related guides
- How to Organize Files and Folders
- How to Find a Downloaded File
- Restore a Deleted File from the Recycle Bin or Trash
Source: Share OneDrive files and folders (Microsoft Support)