How to send photos and attachments by email
Attaching a photo or file takes a few taps, but every app hides the button in a slightly different place. Here is where to find it.
Quick answer
On a computer, select the paperclip icon in the new email window and choose the file, or drag the file into the email. On iPhone, tap in the message body and use the photo button above the keyboard. On Android in Gmail, tap the paperclip at the top. Gmail allows attachments up to 25 MB; for bigger files, it shares a Google Drive link instead.
On iPhone (Mail app)
- Start a new email and tap in the message body.
- Tap the arrow or Aa above the keyboard to show more options, then the photo icon.
- Pick your photos and close the picker.
- Send. If the photos are large, Mail may offer to send smaller sizes, or use Mail Drop for very large files.
You can also open a photo in the Photos app, tap Share, then Mail.
On Android (Gmail app)
- Tap Compose.
- Tap the paperclip at the top.
- Choose Attach file or Insert from Drive, then pick the photo or file.
- Send.
Gmail on a computer
- Select Compose.
- Select the paperclip at the bottom to attach a file, or the photo icon to insert a picture.
- Or drag files straight into the message.
Outlook
In a new message, select Attach file (the paperclip) or Insert → Pictures, then choose your file. To attach another email, see how to attach an email in Outlook.
Sending large files
- Most email services cap attachments at around 20 to 25 MB. See attachment size limits by provider.
- Gmail turns bigger files into a Google Drive link; Outlook can share a OneDrive link; iPhone Mail can use Mail Drop.
- Shrink photos before sending with the free email image compressor, and check the total with the attachment size calculator.
If the attachment won't send
- Too big: use a share link or compress it.
- Blocked file type: many services block .exe, .js and similar files. See why attachments get blocked or sent to spam.
- Still uploading: wait for the progress bar to finish before you press Send.
Questions people ask
- How do I email a picture from my phone?
- Open the photo, tap Share, then choose your email app. Or start a new email and use the photo or paperclip button.
- How many photos can I send in one email?
- As many as fit under your provider's size limit, usually around 20 to 25 MB in total. For more, use a cloud link.
- Why do my photos look smaller when emailed?
- Some apps offer to reduce photo size to keep emails small. Choose actual size if quality matters, or share a link instead.
- How do I send a file that is too big for email?
- Upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud or Dropbox and send a link.
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