If you're trying to send someone a large file, using email alone won't suffice. Most e-mail services limit the file size that can be sent. Therefore, you need to look for other options for sending large files. If you have a Google account, you can use the free Google Drive storage service to upload large or small files in various formats that you can then share with others over the internet.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Uploading Files
Step 1. Go to the Google Drive site
Every Google account can enjoy 15 GB of Google Drive storage service for free. If you're a Gmail user, you only need to use the information you normally use to log into your Gmail account when you want to access Google Drive. Sign in via drive.google.com.
If you are using a mobile device, the Google Drive app is available for Android and iOS. You can use it to upload files from your mobile device to Google Drive storage
Step 2. Click the "New" button and select "Upload file"
A file search window will open where you can select the file you want to upload from your computer to Google Drive. You can also drag and drop a file into the Google Drive window to start the upload process right away.
Google Drive can store your files up to a maximum size of 5 TB (provided that you have access to that much storage)
Step 3. Wait for the file to finish uploading
Large files may take longer to upload, especially if you have a slow internet connection. You can see the upload process in progress in the row in the lower-right corner of the Google Drive window.
File uploads will stop if you close the Google Drive window while the process is still in progress. The Google Drive window should remain open until the file has finished uploading
Part 2 of 3: Sharing Files (Computer)
Step 1. Understand how to share files via Google Drive
There are two different ways to share files that have been uploaded to Google Drive: You can directly share them with specific Google Drive users, or you can create a link for the file you want to share that anyone can use to access the file.
Step 2. Right-click over the file you want and select "Share"
A menu for sharing files will open.
Step 3. Enter contacts into the "People" section to share files with specific users
You can enter the Google contact name of the person you want or add the person's email address. An invitation email will be sent to everyone you enter. If the recipient is not a Google Drive user, they will receive an invitation to create a free account.
Change permissions for recipients by clicking the "Can edit" button. You can change the selection to "Can comment" or "Can view". In order for the recipient to download the sent file, you must select "Can edit" or "Can view"
Step 4. Click the "Get shareable link" button to create a link that you can send to anyone
If you want to share the file with people who don't use Google Drive, or you want to share it with people you don't know, you will need to create a link. Anyone with the link can view and download files from your Google Drive account. Copy and paste the link into an email or online chat and then send it to whoever you want.
- As in the first sharing method, you can also set permissions for people to access files through the links you share.
- How to share files by creating a link you can use when you are not sure whether the recipient will use Google Drive or not. This method allows anyone to download files without needing to create a Google account.
Step 5. Download the file
You may need to tell the recipient how to download the file. This is because simply clicking on the link you shared will not automatically download the file.
To download the file, click or tap the "Download" button at the top of the Google Drive page that opens via the link you submitted. If the file is open in Google Docs or Google Sheets, recipients can download it via the “File” menu
Part 3 of 3: Sharing Files (Mobile Devices)
Step 1. Understand how to share files via Google Drive
There are two different ways to share files that have been uploaded to Google Drive: You can directly share them with specific Google Drive users, or you can create a link for the file you want to share that anyone can use to access the file.
Step 2. Touch the mark next to the name of the file you want to share
Details about the file will open.
Step 3. Touch "Add people" to invite someone to download the file
You can type in the Google contact name of the person you want or add the person's email address. An invitation email will be sent to each person you add. If the recipient is not a Google Drive user, they will be invited to create a free account.
Step 4. Touch "Share link" to send the link of your selected file
A share menu will open where you can choose to add a link to an email, text message, or other sharing method available on your device. You can also choose to copy the link to the clipboard, which you can then paste anywhere.
Step 5. Set permissions for the recipients of the files you share via the "Who has access" section
If the link sharing option is enabled, you can set permissions for people visiting the link. If you share files with specific people, you can set the access permissions for those people separately.
Step 6. Download the file
You may need to tell the recipient how to download the file. This is because clicking the link you shared will not automatically download the file.
