How to Send Videos: 7 Easy Methods

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Quick and easy ways to share videos with anyone
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This wikiHow article teaches you easy ways to share video files with others. The easiest method is to send the video with Gmail, but you can also upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox if it's a large file. If you want to send a YouTube link to a friend, you can do so on the YouTube app or website. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can AirDrop videos to nearby friends who also have iOS devices or Macs.

Quick Steps for Sending Videos

  1. Compose a new email in Gmail.
  2. Add the recipient's email address.
  3. Click the paperclip icon.
  4. Select the video file and click Open .
  5. Follow the prompts to upload your file to Google Drive if needed.
Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Send with Gmail

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  1. If you use Gmail to send email, you can send messages with attachments up to 25MB. If you're using a computer, point your browser to https://www.gmail.com and sign in when prompted. If you're on a phone or tablet, tap the Gmail icon (a red-and-white envelope) in your app list.
    • If the video you're sharing exceeds 25MB, you'll be prompted to upload it to your Google Drive. Google Drive is free with your Google account.
    • If you don't already have a Gmail account, you can create one at https://www.gmail.com .
  2. It's the large button at the bottom-right corner if you're using the mobile app, or near the top-left if you're using a computer.
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  3. This goes into the "To" field at the top of the message.
  4. It's at the top of the message in the mobile app, and at the bottom on a computer.
  5. If you're using a computer, select the video file and click Open . On a phone or tablet, navigate to the video and select it.
  6. If you see a message that says the video file is too large, you'll need to upload it to your Google Drive account. Once you agree to this, the video will upload. When the upload is complete, a link to the video file on your Google Drive will be inserted into your email message.
    • If you do not see a message about your attachment being too big, the file is below 25MB and will be attached to your message normally.
  7. If you want to include a subject and message, enter that information before you send it.
    • If you had to upload the file to Google Drive, the recipient of the message will receive a download link for the video.
    • If the video file is small enough to be attached to the message, the recipient can click or tap the attachment to open the video.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Send with Google Drive (Mobile)

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  1. Google Drive users get 15 GB of storage for free. If you need more storage than this, you'll need to pay for a Google One membership . You can upload files up to 5 TB in size. To upload a file, do the following:
    • Open the Google Drive app.
    • Tap + New .
    • Tap Upload .
    • Select the video you want to upload.
    • Wait for it to upload.
      • Large videos may take a significant amount of time to upload, especially if you have a slower internet connection. Keep the window open until it's complete.
  2. This will be on the right side of the video you want to share. A pop-up menu will open.
    • The video you just uploaded should be at the top of the list of suggested files. If not, you can tap the notification in your notification bar and select Share or Locate file .
  3. It's next to an icon of a person with a +. The sharing screen will open.
  4. Use the Add people or groups field to do so.
    • As you type an email address, the matching contact will appear below the drop-down menu if they're in your Google Contacts . You can tap the contact name to add the rest of the email address.
    • Set the recipient as Editor (can edit the file or folder), Commenter (can add comments), or Viewer (can only see the file).
  5. It's the paper plane-shaped icon on the top-right side of the screen. The file will be sent to the recipient.
    • If you have the "Notify people" checkbox selected, they will receive an email that you shared something with them in Google Drive.
  6. If you need to share with a lot of people, you can provide general access to those who have the unique link. Keep in mind that you shouldn't share documents with sensitive information this way. Do the following:
    • Tap â‹® next to the file or folder.
    • Tap Share .
    • Tap •••/â‹® in the top-right corner.
    • Tap Manage access .
    • Tap Restricted twice.
    • Select Anyone with the link .
    • Tap Viewer and set a new sharing restriction if desired.
    • Tap the link icon in the top-right corner to copy the link.
    • Paste or send the link.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Send with Google Drive (Website)

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  1. Google Drive users get 15 GB of storage for free. If you need more storage than this, you'll need to pay for a Google One membership. You can upload files up to 5 TB in size. [1] To upload a file, do the following:
    • Log into https://drive.google.com/ .
    • Click + New .
    • Click File upload .
    • Select the video file you want to upload. [2]
      • Large videos may take a significant amount of time to upload, especially if you have a slower internet connection. Keep the window open until it's complete.
  2. This will be on the right side of the file you want to share. A pop-up menu will open.
  3. This will open the Share window.
  4. Use the Add people or groups field to do so.
    • As you type an email address, the matching contact will appear below the drop-down menu if they're in your contacts. Otherwise, make sure the full email address is correct.
    • Click the drop-down menu on the right to set the recipient as Editor (can edit the file or folder), Commenter (can add comments), or Viewer (can only see the file).
  5. This is the blue button at the bottom-right corner of the window. The file will be sent to the recipient.
    • If you have the "Notify people" checkbox selected, they will receive an email that you shared something with them in Google Drive.
  6. If you need to share with a lot of people, you can provide general access to those who have the unique link. Keep in mind that you shouldn't share documents with sensitive information this way. Do the following:
    • Click â‹® next to the file or folder.
    • Click Share .
    • Under General access , click Restricted .
    • Select Anyone with the link .
    • Click Viewer and set a new sharing restriction if desired.
    • Click Copy link .
    • Paste or send the link.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

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  1. If the video you want to send is on YouTube, use this method to share its direct link through any messaging or email application. Start by opening the video on YouTube on your computer, phone, or tablet.
    • If you're using a phone or tablet, you'll find YouTube's red-and-white rectangle icon in your app list. Once you tap a video, it will begin to play.
    • If the video you want to send is a file on your computer, phone, or tablet, you can upload it to YouTube, set it to private, and then share it using this method. [3] To learn how to upload a private video to YouTube, see How to Upload a Video to YouTube .
  2. It's the curved arrow pointing right below the video.
  3. You can send the video's link using any of the social media or messaging apps on the list. Selecting an app icon will create a new post or message in that app that contains the video's URL.
    • For example, if you want to send the video link in a text message, tap the icon for your messaging app.
    • If you want to paste the video's link into a message (such as when sending an email), click COPY (computer) or tap Copy link (phone/tablet). Then, go to the message or post where you want to paste the URL, right-click (or long-tap) the typing area, and select Paste .
  4. If you're sending a text message, you can generally start typing the person's name or phone number into the "To" field to search for the contact.
  5. You can usually do this by clicking or tapping Send , a paper airplane icon, or an arrow. When the recipient receives the message, they can click or tap the link you've sent to watch the video.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Send with Dropbox (Mobile)

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  1. If you want to send a video that's too large to attach to an email or text, Dropbox is an easy way to get the job done. Dropbox has a dark blue icon with 5 diamonds inside that form the shape of a box. If you don't have the app, you can download it free from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone/iPad).
    • Using a free account, you can send videos that are up to 50 GB. [4]
    • Some alternatives to Dropbox that work similarly are Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box.
  2. If you already have an account, tap Sign in and follow the on-screen instructions. If not, tap Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google to link your account to your Apple or Google account. Or, if you'd rather sign up with an email address, tap Sign Up , fill out the form, and then tap Create Account at the bottom.
    • If prompted to pay for a subscription, you can tap Skip or Cancel .
  3. It's at the bottom-center part of the screen.
  4. It's near the middle of the menu. [5]
    • If it's your first time using Dropbox, follow the on-screen instructions to give the app permission to access your photos and videos.
  5. If you're using an Android, you'll see a folder icon instead of the word "Next."
  6. The root of your Dropbox (called Dropbox ) is selected by default. If you want to choose a subfolder, tap Choose a different folder , select a folder, and then tap Set Location .
  7. It's at the top-right corner of the screen. The video will upload to your Dropbox. When the upload is complete, you'll be taken to the folder that contains your upload.
  8. A menu will expand.
  9. It's near the top of the menu.
  10. It's at the bottom of the screen.
  11. For example, if you want to send the video link in a text message, tap the icon for your messaging app. If you want to send the link via email, tap your email app,
    • Another way to share the video by email is to tap the blank under "Send to" and enter the recipient's email address. You can also enter a message if you wish. When you tap Share , the recipient will receive a link to your video that they can watch immediately.
  12. Depending on the app you're using to send the URL, you can usually select a contact from a list. If you're sending a text message, you can generally start typing the person's name or phone number into the "To" field to start searching for the contact.
  13. You can usually do this by tapping Send , a paper airplane icon, or an arrow. When the recipient receives the message, they can click or tap the link you've sent to watch the video.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Send with Dropbox (Computer)

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  1. Go to https://www.dropbox.com/login in a web browser. If there's a video on your computer that you want to send but aren't able to do so in your email program, Dropbox is a free and easy way to get the job done.
    • Using a free account, you can send videos up to 50 GB.
    • Some alternatives to Dropbox that work similarly are Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box.
  2. If you already have a Dropbox account enter your login details and click Sign in . If not, you can create a new account now:
    • To use your Google or Apple account to sign up, click Sign in with Google or Sign in with Apple and follow the on-screen instructions.
    • To create an account with an email address and password, click the create an account link above the sign-in blanks and fill out the form to sign up.
  3. It's in the rightmost panel near the top of the menu.
  4. A list of folders will appear.
  5. The folder you select is where you'll be able to find your video file once the upload is complete. To upload the file to your main folder, don't select any of the options—just click Upload .
  6. You'll see your uploaded video file at the top of the "Recents" section near the middle of the page. A menu will expand.
  7. This opens a new window that looks like an email message.
  8. This goes in the "To" field at the top of the window.
  9. A link to the video will be delivered to the recipient's email inbox. When they open the message, they'll be able to click a link to view the video in their web browser.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Using AirDrop (iPhone or iPad)

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  1. If the person you're sending the video to is within close physical range and has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can probably use AirDrop to send them a video from your phone or tablet. [6]
    • Must be within Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi range.
    • Have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled (you'll need to also have these enabled).
    • Cannot have Personal Hotspot enabled (and neither can you).
    • If the other person has AirDrop set up to only receive from Contacts Only , you must be one of their contacts. If not, they'll need to switch the setting to Everyone .
  2. It's the multicolored flower icon on your home screen.
  3. If you took the video recently, you'll probably find it near the bottom of the Recents album.
  4. It's at the bottom-left corner of the video.
  5. It's the white icon with many curved blue lines at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  6. As long as the person you're sharing with is within range and can accept your Airdrop, you'll see their name in the list. Once the other person accepts your AirDrop, the video will transfer to their computer, phone, or tablet.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How would I edit or shorten a video so it can be sent over e-mail?
    Community Answer
    Downloading video editing software can help you with that.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question
    How can I send videos from my cell phone?
    Community Answer
    You take a video from your camera then go to messages and press the little camera button. It will give you the option to record a video or choose one from your gallery. Select the video you recorded and it should appear in the message. Then just send it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How can I transfer videos from my smartphone to another smartphone?
    Community Answer
    Back them up in the Cloud and then send. If that does not work, send them through Bluetooth.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/7338880?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=1
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/157177?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
      4. ↑ https://www.dropbox.com/features/share/send-long-videos
      5. ↑ https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/upload-mobile
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/sl-si/HT204144

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Gmail.
      2. Compose a message.
      3. Enter a recipient.
      4. Click the paperclip.
      5. Select the video file.
      6. Upload it to Google Drive if prompted.
      7. Send the message.

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