What Mail Drop Does and How to Turn It On

Mail Drop is a feature built into Apple Mail that lets you send large files through email without hitting size limits. Instead of attaching a huge video, photo library, or document directly to an email, Mail Drop uploads the file to iCloud and sends a download link to the recipient instead. The file stays available for 30 days.

Mail Drop works automatically on most Apple devices once you turn it on. You do not need to install anything extra or sign up for a separate service — it uses your existing iCloud account. The feature is available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, though the steps to turn it on differ slightly between them.

Before you can use Mail Drop, you need an active iCloud account and enough iCloud storage space for the files you want to send. If your iCloud storage is full, Mail Drop will not work until you free up space or buy more storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail Drop uploads large files to iCloud and sends a link instead of attaching the file directly, letting you send files up to 5GB each.
  • You turn on Mail Drop in Mail settings on Mac or in the Mail app settings on iPhone and iPad.
  • Recipients can download files for 30 days after you send the email, whether or not they have an Apple device.
  • Mail Drop requires an iCloud account with enough free storage space to hold the files temporarily.
  • If Mail Drop does not appear as an option when you attach a file, check that it is turned on in your settings and that you have iCloud storage available.

Turning On Mail Drop on a Mac

On a Mac, open the Mail app and go to Mail in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Settings (or Preferences on older versions). A window will open with several tabs across the top.

Click the Accounts tab, then select your iCloud account from the list on the left. On the right side, look for a checkbox labeled Mail Drop and click it to turn it on. Close the Settings window. Mail Drop is now active on your Mac.

If you do not see a Mail Drop checkbox, your iCloud account may not support it, or you may be using an older version of macOS. Mail Drop requires macOS 10.10 or later. Check the Apple menu and choose About This Mac to see your current version.

Turning On Mail Drop on iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app (not the Mail app). Scroll down and tap Mail. Tap Accounts, then select the iCloud account you use for email.

Look for the toggle next to Mail Drop and turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it is active. Go back to the home screen — Mail Drop is now turned on for that account.

If you have multiple email accounts set up, Mail Drop only works with your iCloud account. Other email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, work email) cannot use Mail Drop, even if they are set up in the Mail app.

How to Send a File Using Mail Drop

Once Mail Drop is turned on, using it is automatic. Open the Mail app and start a new email. Type the recipient's address and subject line as usual. Click the attachment button (a paperclip icon on Mac, or a plus sign on iPhone and iPad).

Choose the file you want to attach. If the file is larger than about 20MB, Mail will ask whether you want to use Mail Drop or send it as a regular attachment. Choose Use Mail Drop. The file will upload to iCloud, and a download link will be inserted into your email instead of the file itself.

You can attach multiple files to one email using Mail Drop. Each file can be up to 5GB, and you can send up to 5GB total per email. The upload may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and file size. Do not close the Mail app or turn off your device until the upload finishes.

What Recipients See and How They Download Files

When a recipient opens your email, they will see a blue download button or link instead of a traditional attachment. They click the button to download the file. Recipients do not need an Apple device or iCloud account — the link works in any email client and on any device.

The file stays available for 30 days from the date you send the email. After 30 days, the link stops working and the file is deleted from iCloud. If a recipient needs the file after that, you will have to send it again.

Recipients can see the file name and size before they download. If they have questions about the file, they can reply to your email as usual. The download link is unique to that email, so sharing the email with someone else will not let them access the file.

Troubleshooting Mail Drop Problems

If Mail Drop does not appear as an option when you attach a file, first check that you turned it on in Settings. Go back to Mail settings and confirm the Mail Drop toggle is green (on iPhone and iPad) or checked (on Mac).

If the toggle is already on but Mail Drop still does not work, check your iCloud storage. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Look at the storage bar at the top — if it shows you are out of space, you cannot use Mail Drop until you delete files or buy more storage. You can buy additional iCloud storage directly from this screen.

If you are trying to send a file larger than 5GB, Mail Drop cannot handle it. You will need to use a different method, such as a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox, or break the file into smaller pieces. Files that are password-protected or encrypted may also cause problems — try removing the protection before attaching.

If the upload starts but never finishes, check your internet connection. A weak or unstable connection can interrupt the upload. Move closer to your router, switch to a stronger network, or wait until your connection is more stable before trying again.

When to Use Mail Drop Instead of Regular Attachments

Mail Drop is best for files larger than 20MB or when you want to send multiple large files at once. Regular email attachments work fine for small files like documents, spreadsheets, or small photos. Using Mail Drop for tiny files wastes your iCloud storage and makes the email slower to load.

Mail Drop is also useful when you are not sure whether the recipient's email provider will accept large attachments. Some email services reject messages with attachments over a certain size. Mail Drop avoids this problem because the file is not actually attached to the email — only a link is.

If you need to send files to someone who does not check email often, remember that Mail Drop links expire after 30 days. For long-term file sharing, a cloud storage service is a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Mail Drop with Gmail or Outlook?

No. Mail Drop only works with iCloud email accounts. If you have a Gmail or Outlook account set up in the Apple Mail app, you cannot use Mail Drop with those accounts. You can still use Mail Drop if you have an iCloud email address, even if you primarily use a different email service.

What happens if the recipient does not download the file within 30 days?

The download link expires and the file is deleted from iCloud. The recipient will see an error message if they try to download after 30 days. If they still need the file, you will have to send it again.

Does the recipient need an Apple device to download a Mail Drop file?

No. Mail Drop works on any device and any email client. A recipient using Windows, Android, Gmail, or any other email service can download a Mail Drop file by clicking the link in the email.

How much iCloud storage does Mail Drop use?

Mail Drop files count against your iCloud storage while they are available (up to 30 days). Once the 30-day period ends, the files are deleted and the storage is freed up. If you are running low on storage, sending large files through Mail Drop will fill it up faster.

Can I send a Mail Drop file to multiple people at once?

Yes. You can add multiple recipients to one email and send the same Mail Drop file to all of them. Each recipient gets their own download link in the same email.