How to Email Audio Files: The Complete Guide

Do you want to send audio files over email? Most email providers have a size limit on attachments that makes it hard to send large files. If you are sending one or two MP3 files, you can probably send them directly as an email attachment. However, if you want to send multiple files or lossless files, you’ll need to find another solution. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can share and email large audio files. Read on to learn how!

How to Email Audio Files

If the audio files are under 25 MB (give or take), you can attach them to an email . If you need to make the files smaller, you can send them as ZIP files or in a compressed format. If your files are too large to send, upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox , then email the file's sharing link.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Sending Audio Files as an Email Attachment

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1
Find the total size of the file(s) you want to send. Most email services have a limit on the size of the files you can send as an attachment. Use the following steps to find out how big the file you want to send is:
- Use File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) to navigate to the file you want to send.
- Right-click the file (or Control-click on Mac).
- Click Properties or Get Info .
- Check the size of the file next to Size .
2
Find out the total attachment size of your email service. For most email services, the maximum attachment size is about 25 megabytes. This includes the size of all attachments sent through a single email. The following lists the attachment size limit for the most common email services:
- Gmail - 25 megabytes ^{[1]
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- Apple Mail - 20 megabytes (5 gigabytes using MailDrop) ^{[2]
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- Outlook - 20 megabytes (10 megabytes for business accounts) ^{[3]
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- Yahoo - 25 megabytes ^{[4]
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3
Decide whether or not your file can be sent directly. If your audio file is larger than the maximum size allowed by your preferred email provider, you'll need to use one of the other methods. The following are some ways you may be able to send the file as an attachment if it exceeds the file size limit:
- Convert the file to a smaller file type: If you are sending the file in a lossless format, such as a wave (.wav) file, it will take up a lot more space. You can convert the file to a smaller file format, such as MP3 , and then send a smaller file that has nearly the same audio quality. If it’s already in MP3 format, you can reduce the quality to reduce the file size. There are lots of conversion websites online that can convert audio files to MP3.
- Compress the file: If the file(s) you want to send are only a little bit larger than the file size limit, you may be able to compress the file(s) into a zip file and send it as an attachment.
- Split zip files: If you are not able to compress the audio files down to a size that’s smaller than the attachment limit, programs like WinRAR and 7-zip allow you to split the zip file into smaller pieces that you can send through email one at a time. The recipient can place all the zip files into a single folder and uncompress them.
- Use cloud storage: You can use cloud storage services, such as Google Drive , OneDrive , iCloud Drive , and Dropbox allow you to upload files online and then share them over email or messaging services. Most of these services offer a limited storage capacity (i.e., 15 to 20 gigabytes) for free. If you need more storage space, you can upgrade to a paid tier that includes more storage space.
- Use File Transfer services: File transfer services, such as WeTransfer , allow you to upload big files (usually up to 2 gigabytes for free) and send them to another person. The service will allow you to enter your email and the email of a person you want to send the file to. It will then email a download link to the person, as well as generate a link you can use to send to people so that they can download the file.
4
Open your preferred email service on a computer. Some popular email providers include the following:
- Gmail - Go to mail.google.com . You may first need to log in.
- iCloud Mail - Go to www.icloud.com/#mail . You may first need to log in and then click Mail .
- Outlook - Go to outlook.live.com/mail . You may first need to log in.
- Yahoo - Go to mail.yahoo.com . You may first need to log in and then click the Mail icon in the top-right corner of the page.
5
Create a new email. To do so:
- On Gmail , click COMPOSE in the top-left side of your inbox.
- On iCloud Mail , click the Pencil-and-Square icon in the upper-right corner.
- On Outlook , click New Mail above your list of emails in the inbox.
- On Yahoo , click the Pencil icon in the upper-left corner.
6
Add a recipient and a subject. To do this, simply type your recipient's email address or name (if they're in your contacts) into the "To" field in the new email window, then type in a subject in the "Subject" field below it.
- The subject isn't necessary to send the email, but it will help explain the context of the email.
7
Click and drag the audio file into your email window. Doing so will place it in your email as an attachment once you release the mouse.
- You can also click the paperclip icon and then select your audio file in the resulting pop-up window.
8
Click Send . Your email will be delivered to your recipient, at which point they will be able to download the audio file by opening the email and clicking the "Download" button or link.
- On Apple Mail, click the icon that resembles an arrow pointing up in the upper-right corner to send the message.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using Google Drive

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1
Go to the Google Drive website. It's located at drive.google.com .
- If you aren't signed into your Google account, you'll need to click Sign In and enter your email address and password before continuing.
2
Upload your files or a folder. You can upload individual audio files. If you want to send multiple files, place them all in a folder. You can either drag and drop the file or folder into the Google Drive website or use the following steps to upload a file or folder:
- Click +New at the top of the menu bar to the left.
- Click Upload file to upload an individual file, or click Upload folder to upload a folder with multiple files.
- Select the file or folder you want to upload.
- Click Open or Upload .
- Allow some time for the files to upload.
3

Open the Share menu. To do so, click the icon with three dots (⋮) next to the file or folder you want to share. Hover over Share and click Share .
4
Enter the name or email of the recipient and click Done . If the recipient is in your Google Contacts, you can enter their name in the text field. You can also enter an email address. Click Done to send the file.
- Alternatively, you can select Anyone with Link below “General Access.” Click Copy Link in the lower-left corner and paste the link in an email and send it. The recipient can open the link and download the file.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Using OneDrive

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1
Go to the Outlook OneDrive site. It's located at onedrive.live.com .
- If you aren't signed into OneDrive, you'll have to enter your Outlook email address and password before continuing.
2
Upload a file or folder. You can upload an individual file or place multiple audio files in a folder and upload the folder. Use the following steps to upload a file or folder.
- Click Create or upload in the upper-right corner.
- Click Files upload or Folder upload .
- Select a file or folder.
- Click Open or Upload .
3

Open the Share menu. To do so, click the icon with three dots (•••) next to the file or folder you want to email and click Share .
4

Enter an email address. Enter the email of the person you want to mail the file or folder to in the text box at the top.
5

Enter a message (optional). If you want, you can enter a message to the recipient in the next text field.
6
Click Send . It’s the blue button at the bottom of the page. This sends the file or folder to the email recipient.
- Alternatively, you can click Copy Link at the bottom of the Share window. Paste the link in and email it to the person you want to send the files to. They can use the link to access the files and download them.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Using iCloud Drive

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1
Go to the iCloud website. It's at www.icloud.com/iclouddrive .
- If you aren't signed into iCloud, you'll need to enter your Apple ID email address and password to continue.
2

Upload a file or folder. You can upload an individual file or a folder with multiple audio files. Drag and drop the file or folder into your iCloud window, or you can click the icon that resembles a cloud with an arrow pointing up at the top of the page. Select the file you want to upload and click Upload .
3

Open the Share menu for the file or folder you want to email. To do so, hover over the file or folder you want to share. Click the icon with three dots (•••) on the far-right side of the screen, then click Collaborate with others .
4
Select the Email option and click Share . The Email option has an icon that resembles an envelope. Then click Share in the lower-right corner.
- Alternatively, you can click Copy Link and enter the name of a contact, phone number, or email address, and click Share .
5

Enter an email recipient. Enter the person you want to send the file to in the “To:” field at the top of the email.
6

Enter a message (optional). If you want to enter a message for the recipient, enter it in the message field.
7

Click the Send icon. It’s the icon that resembles an arrow pointing up in the upper-right corner.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Using Dropbox

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1
Go to the Dropbox website. It’s located at www.dropbox.com
- If you aren’t signed in automatically, you can log in with your username and password, or you can log in with your Google or Apple ID. You can also use your Google or Apple ID to create an account for free.
2
Upload a file or folder. You can upload an individual file to Dropbox, or you can put multiple audio files in a folder and upload the entire folder to Dropbox. Either drag and drop a file or folder into the Dropbox window or use the following steps to upload a file or folder:
- Click Upload or drop at the top of the page.
- Click File or Folder .
- Select a file or folder .
- Click Open or Upload .
- Wait for the file(s) to finish uploading.
3

Click Share next to the file or folder you want to share. The Share menu appears when you hover over the file or folder.
4

Click Add people . It’s the first option at the top of the share menu.
5

Enter an email address. Enter the email address of the person you want to send the file(s) to at the top.
6

Enter a message (optional). If you want, you can enter a message for the recipient in the “Add Message” field.
7

Click Share . It’s the white button at the bottom of the menu. This sends the file or folder to the recipient in an email. They will receive a link to the file they can click to open and download them.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Using WeTransfer

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1

Go to the WeTransfer website. WeTransfer is a website that allows you to email large files (up to 2 gigabytes for free). The recipient will be able to download the files within 3 days. If you need more space or more time, you can sign up for a paid account.
2
Upload a file or folder. You can upload an individual file or you can upload an entire folder with multiple files. To do so, click Upload File or Upload Folder at the top of the menu on the left. Select the file or folder and click Upload or Open .
- If the file(s) are larger than 2 gigabytes, you can try sending them as a zip file .
3

Enter the email address you want to send the file to. Enter the recipient’s email address in the field labeled “Email to” in the menu bar to the left. You can enter up to 3 email addresses.
4

Enter your email. Enter your email in the field labeled “Your email.” This lets the recipient know who they are receiving the email from.
5

Enter a title and message. Enter a title for the email in the field labeled “Title.” Then enter an optional message in the field labeled “Message.”
6

Select how long the file will be active. Use the drop-down menu at the bottom to select how long the file will be active. If you have not signed up for an account or are using the free version, you can only select up to 3 days. If you have a paid subscription, you can select longer.
7

Click Transfer . It’s the blue button at the bottom of the page. This will send an email with a link to the files to the recipient. Additionally, the website will generate a link to the file you can use to send to anyone you want to share the files with.

Community Q&A

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Question

My audio file is large. How do I send it by email?

Community Answer

Try compressing it with Audacity. If you still cannot send it, try breaking it down into separate files and compressing them.

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How do I open an audio file sent via email?

Community Answer

You have to make sure it's downloaded, then double click it. Normally in Outlook you just have to click the file and it should download, then open.

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How to Email Audio Files: The Complete Guide