Introduction
Whether you're trying to send a quick video message, a recorded presentation, a product demo, or a fun family clip , Gmail is one of the most convenient ways to share videos. But if you've ever been stopped by the dreaded file size limit or confused about which method works best, you're not alone.
In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll show you exactly how to send a video through Gmail, no matter the size or device you’re using. From direct attachments to Google Drive links, you’ll learn the smartest ways to send videos on Gmail ,without compression issues or sharing errors.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to send a video in Gmail that actually reaches your recipient without a hiccup, keep reading , we’ve got you covered.
Why Send Videos Through Gmail?
Including videos in your emails can significantly boost engagement and communication. Here are some key advantages of using Gmail to send videos:
1. Higher Open & Engagement Rates
Research shows that emails with video content have higher open and click-through rates. So, when you send videos on Gmail ,especially for marketing or updates , you’re more likely to capture your audience’s attention.
2. Communicate Clearly and Quickly
Video emails allow you to express your message in a more personal, engaging way. You can use pre-recorded videos to explain your thoughts, showcase your product, or deliver a personalized pitch ,all within a few minutes.
3. Explain Complex Ideas Easily
Text-based emails can get long and dull, especially when explaining detailed products or features. With videos, you can visually walk through complex ideas, making it easier for recipients to understand and remember, your message.
So, whether you’re promoting a new launch, giving a product demo, or offering support, sending a video through Gmail makes communication faster, clearer, and more human.
Considerations When Sending Videos via Gmail
Before you hit send, here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Use a Supported Browser-Make sure you’re using a Gmail-supported browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. Unsupported or outdated browsers may lead to upload or display issues.
- Avoid Proxy Browsers- If you're using a proxy browser, uploading video files may fail. Disable the proxy or switch to a standard browser to ensure smooth video uploads in Gmail.
- File Host Restrictions- If your network administrator or ISP blocks the Gmail attachment host (mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com), your recipients might not be able to access the video. Always test your email before sending it to a large group.
- Executable Files May Be Blocked - For security reasons, Gmail may block attachments that are considered executable or potentially harmful. To stay safe, send videos in formats like
.mp4, and avoid renaming them with suspicious extensions.
The Importance of Compressing Videos Before Sending Through Gmail
Gmail has an attachment size limit of 25MB. If your video exceeds this limit, you'll need to compress the file or choose an alternative sharing method.
Benefits of Compressing a Video File:
- Reduces file size to meet Gmail's 25MB limit
- Faster upload and download speeds
- Less storage used on Gmail and Drive
- Improved security, as many compression tools offer encrypted formats that prevent unauthorized access
So, if you're wondering how to send a video in Gmail quickly and securely, compressing it beforehand is a smart first step.
Gmail Attachment Size Limits
Understanding Gmail’s limits helps you avoid errors:
- Maximum attachment size: 25MB per email
- Multiple attachments? The total size of all files must still be under 25MB
- Files over 25MB? Gmail will automatically upload them to Google Drive and insert a shareable link into your email
So if you're figuring out how to send videos on Gmail that are large, use Google Drive for smooth delivery.
Potential need for further compression of large video files
Now you know the maximum attachment size should be 25 MB for Gmail. Usually, a video file larger than 2GB is considered a large video. In this case, you can manage them in any of the three ways –
- Compression: If you use compression for attaching a video to your email, it will reduce the file size and becomes more secure for the users. Also, it will take less time to upload, send the email, and download the recipients.
- Video hosting platforms: You can upload your videos to a video hosting platform like- YouTube or Vimeo. Then share the video link through an email to your clients. They will easily access your video through the link. The users of YouTube Premium can download the video onto their devices. If you use Vimeo for video uploading, the users can download the video directly to their devices through the link.
- Using cloud storage service: You can use cloud services like Google Drive to upload a large video. You can send it through email or send the video link through an email. The users will play and download the video easily from the shared link.
Uploading and attaching a video file in Gmail
1. Go to Gmail and click Compose.
2. Next, click the Attach icon.
3. Choose the video file you wish to upload.
4. Finally, click Open. The file will be automatically attached to your email.
Benefits of using Google Drive to send videos
- You can send large videos (more than 25 MB) through Google Drive.
- It eliminates the need of storing large video files on your physical device.
- You can share videos with a specific person, group, or public.
- Drive works as the safeguard for your large files. It scans your files and removes malware, spam, or other security issues from your uploaded file. So, you can send secure files to your clients.
How to upload the video to Google Drive and share it as a link in Gmail?
1. Go to Apps > Google Drive from your computer.
2. Click New > File Upload from the top left.
3. Choose a video file you want to upload. After completing the upload, you will find an Uploaded status at the bottom right corner.
4. Click the More (three-dot) option from the right side of your uploaded file.
5. Manage the file access, and click Share.
6. Finally, Send.
Step-by-step instructions on how to insert a Google Drive video link into an email
1. Open Gmail from your computer.
2. Click Compose from the top left.
3. Click the Google Drive icon.
4. Select a video file you want to attach.
5. Click Insert.
Embedding Video Links
Embedding a video link means adding a video link within the email. The users will see the video with the ‘Play’ button within their inbox. They can play the video with the play button. Also, Gmail will redirect you to the original video if you click the CTA (optional).
How to get video embed codes from popular video platforms?
1. You can click the Share option of your YouTube video.
2. Then click Embed. You will find the video embed code at the right sight.
How to insert an embedded video link in an email?
1. Get the video embed code from a YouTube video following the above instructions.
2. Then copy and paste the code within your email template.
3. Click Send.
The recipient will receive your email with an embedded video link (like the below image). They can play the video from the Gmail inbox.
Importance of file format compatibility
By using the right file format you’re ensuring the readability, portability, and preservation of your file.
- The compatible file format helps you to read the data from your file. That means your data is readable.
- You can share your file through the internet if it is portable. The most common portable format is the PDF (.pdf) format.
- You can store your file within your device or cloud for a long time without any error. As a result, you can retrieve the file data.
Which video file formats are supported by Gmail?
You can send your emails with video file formats, such as MPEG4, MP4, 3GPP, MPEGPS, AVI, and MOV files through Gmail. Otherwise, you may face issues to attach the videos in your email or your video can be corrupted.
The Potential playback issues and solutions
- There are several playback issues, including buffering, freezing, and 'something went wrong’.
Solution:
- Ensure your computer is connected to Wi-Fi.
- Check the speed of your internet connection.
- Check the recommended internet speed to play a particular YouTube video.
- Restart your internet connection.
- You may find a green or black screen problem in the video player.
Solution:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Again, you can try a different browser to watch the video.
- Sometimes you can’t hear the sound of your YouTube video
Solution:
- Ensure your computer’s or browser’s sound is enabled.
- Check your computer’s sound settings.
- Restart the browser or the computer.
xFanatical Foresight and its functionalities
xFanatical Foresight simplifies your complex Google Workspace Workflows through its automation rules. Google Admin and Google Workspace users can automate workflows with this SaaS platform. It eliminates the iterative and overwhelming tasks for the Admin with the help of simple automation workflows. So, your organization doesn’t need extra tools and set-ups. Thus it eliminates the extra cost for your business, improves productivity, and reduces errors. You can learn about some interesting use cases of Foresight like Auto hide a suspended user from directory sharing, etc.
Conclusion
Sending videos via email doesn’t have to be complicated and with Gmail, you have multiple flexible options to get the job done.
Whether you’re sending a quick video update, a client presentation, a tutorial, or a heartfelt moment, you now know exactly how to send a video through Gmail even when file size becomes a challenge. From direct attachments for small clips to Drive links and video hosting for larger files, Gmail makes it easy to deliver video content securely and professionally.
The next time you wonder how to send videos on Gmail without hitting file size limits or formatting issues, just follow the strategies in this guide. Use compression tools, cloud storage, or video platforms to your advantage and keep your communication smooth, clear, and impactful.
So go ahead hit send with confidence, knowing you’ve mastered how to send a video in Gmail, the smart way. Now, you can learn about Foresight and its day-to-day automation workflows. Also, you can learn several blog posts from the website of xFanatical Foresight. Try a 14-day free trial with this platform.
