Send attachments with your Gmail message

Add attachments, like files or photos, to your emails. To send large files over the size limit, like videos, use Google Drive.

Learn how attachments work in the Gmail app

If your attachment exceeds 25 MB, Gmail uploads it to Google Drive and includes the attachment link in the message.
You can send an email even if the attachment is still uploading. The upload finishes before sending in the background.

Send an attachment

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app .
At the bottom right, tap Compose.
At the top right, tap Attach .
In the menu, select the type of attachment you want to send:
- Photos
- Camera
- Files
- Drive

Tip: To remove an attachment:

Tap the attachment.
Tap Remove.

Send photos as attachments or in the message

When you attach multiple photos to your message, you can select up to 5 at a time.
When you select a single photo, Gmail inserts the photo into your message text. To send the photo as an attachment:
1. Tap the photo.
2. In the menu, tap Send as attachment.
If you select multiple photos, Gmail adds the photos as attachments. To insert a photo into the message:
1. Tap an attachment.
2. In the menu, tap Send inline.

Fix issues with attachments in Gmail

Attachments might be unavailable

Your network administrator or Internet provider probably blocked "mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com," the domain Google uses to host attachments.

For more help, contact your internet service provider.

Blocked for security reasons

To prevent viruses, Gmail doesn't let you attach executable files, like files ending in .exe.

Learn about storage limits

Attachments count toward your Google storage. Storage is shared across Drive, Photos, and Gmail. If you have reach your storage limit, you can't send or receive attachments.

To clean up your storage:

Go through your inbox and delete unneeded large attachments.
Regularly empty your trash and spam.

Learn how to manage your storage in Drive, Gmail & Photos.

Learn how to resolve the ”Gmail’s adding files” error message

If you upload files from another device, wait until the upload completes. Then send the attachments in your current message.
To send the message right away, remove the attachments that are uploading from the other device.

Learn how to resolve the “Couldn’t send message” error message

One or more files didn't upload to Drive. This might be because you don't have enough space, your internet is slow, or something else.
To send the message, remove or re-add the attachment.