Apple Mail Drop: What It Is and How to Use It (Complete Guide)

Sharing files over email is all fun until you try to send a large video, a long presentation, or a batch of high-resolution photos from your iPhone. Most email providers have strict attachment limits, and that’s usually where things fall apart. Sharing an iCloud link can help, but not everyone has enough free iCloud storage to rely on it every time. This is exactly why Apple created Mail Drop. It’s a built-in feature that lets you send large videos, photos, and documents without hitting those annoying size limits. It isn’t perfect, and it does come with a few limitations, but it’s incredibly useful when you need it.

This guide explains what Mail Drop is, how it works behind the scenes, and how you can use it on your iPhone to send large attachments without worrying about file size.

What Is Mail Drop?

Mail Drop is a feature inside Apple Mail that allows you to send large files even if they exceed your email provider’s attachment limit. Instead of attaching the entire file directly to the email, your device uploads the file to iCloud first. Once it’s uploaded, Mail Drop generates a secure download link for your recipient. They simply tap the link and download the file without needing any Apple device at all.

How Mail Drop Works

Here’s a simple breakdown of what happens behind the scenes:

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• You attach a large file to your email. 
• Your iPhone detects that the attachment is too large for your email provider. 
• Mail automatically uploads the file to iCloud. Rest assured, these are only temporary uploads and don’t use your iCloud storage space. 
• The email is sent with a download link instead of the full attachment. 
• Your recipient clicks the link and downloads the file.

Limitations and Requirements to Keep in Mind

Mail Drop is extremely convenient, but it does come with a few rules and conditions you should be aware of: 

• The maximum file size per email is 5 GB. 
• Shared files expire after 30 days. 
• Requires a stable internet connection for uploads. 
• Anyone with the link can download the file, so avoid sensitive data. 
• Works only in the Apple Mail app and iCloud.com. 
• Your email provider may still enforce daily send limits. 
• You must be signed in to iCloud to use Mail Drop.

How to Use Mail Drop on iPhone, Mac, and Web

You can use Mail Drop in the Mail app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even on Windows or Android devices by visiting iCloud.com using your preferred browser. Here’s how:

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Mail app and tap the Compose button at the bottom right corner to create a new message. 
2. Now, type in the email address, subject, and message body as usual. 
3. Tap the Attachment icon, then choose whether to attach a file or add photos or videos from the Photo Library. 
4. Now, tap the Send button. If the file is large enough, Mail will automatically use Mail Drop. 
5. The file begins uploading to iCloud. Once it completes, the email will be sent.

The recipient will receive the email with a message stating “Attachment available until [Date].”

On Mac

1. Open the Mail app and click the Compose button. 
   
2. Enter the required details, such as the email address, subject, and message body. 
3. Click the Attachment button at the top center.  
   
4. Click Attach Files or Photos in the drop-down menu. 
   
5. Select the files you want to send, and click Choose Files. The files will appear beneath the message body. 
   
6. Click the Send button.
   
7. You can see the upload progress in the bottom left corner.
   

On Web

To use Mail Drop from a browser, you must turn it on inside the iCloud Mail settings. Once enabled, you can attach large files and send them through iCloud.com without hitting size limits. Here’s how: 

1. Visit iCloud.com using your preferred browser and sign in with your Apple Account. 
2. Click the Mail app icon to open iCloud Mail. 
3. Click the Settings button, then select the Settings option from the drop-down menu. 
4. Select Composing, then click the “Use Mail Drop when sending large attachments” checkbox to enable Mail Drop.

Once done, you can simply compose and send an email like you usually do, and iCloud Mail will automatically use Mail Drop if it detects that the attached file is large enough.

How Recipients Download Mail Drop Files

Recipients don’t need an Apple device, an Apple ID, or iCloud storage. They tap the link and download the file in their browser. They can preview it or save it like a regular download. If they open the message in Apple Mail on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the file may even look like a normal attachment instead of a link.

Mail Drop vs iCloud Drive Link: Which Should You Use?

Both features help you share files, but they solve different problems. Mail Drop is made for quick, one-time sharing and works best when you just want to send a large file without thinking too much about the process. The link expires after 30 days, which keeps things clean but limits long-term access.

iCloud Drive sharing offers more control. You can keep the file available indefinitely, update it whenever needed, and manage permissions for specific people. It’s better for collaboration, ongoing projects, or anything that requires repeated access.

Is Mail Drop Safe?

Mail Drop files are encrypted and stored securely on Apple’s servers. However, anyone with the link can download the file, so you should avoid sending highly sensitive material unless it’s protected with a password before upload.

Mail Drop Not Working? Try These Fixes

If Mail Drop isn’t working as expected, try these quick fixes:

• Make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
• Ensure iCloud Mail is enabled.
• Try attaching a file above 20–25 MB.
• Switch to Wi-Fi for more stable uploads.
• Restart the Mail app.
• Re-add your email account if needed.

Summing Up

Mail Drop is one of the easiest ways to send large files from your iPhone without depending on third-party apps. It works quietly in the background, saves your iCloud storage space, and makes emailing big attachments feel effortless. Whether you’re sending videos, project files, photos, or documents that simply won’t fit in a normal email, Mail Drop handles it smoothly.

If you want us to cover more Apple tips like this, feel free to tell us in the comments.

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