What "attach" means and where you'll use it
Attaching means adding a file — a photo, document, video, or any other file on your computer or phone — to an email, text message, or online form so you can send it to someone else. The file travels with your message instead of you having to send it separately or describe where to find it.
You attach files when you email a resume to a job, send photos to family through a messaging app, upload a document to a form on a website, or add an image to a social media post. The steps change slightly depending on what app or website you're using, but the basic idea is the same: you tell the program where the file is, and it bundles the file with your message.
Key Takeaways
- Most email programs and messaging apps have a paperclip icon or "attach" button that opens a file browser so you can pick the file you want to send.
- On a phone, you usually tap a plus sign, paperclip, or camera icon to attach a photo, video, or document from your device.
- File size matters — very large files may not send through email, and some messaging apps compress photos automatically.
- Once you attach a file, check that the right file appears in the message before you send it, because mistakes are easy to make.
Attaching files in email on a computer
Open your email program or website — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or whatever you use — and start writing a new message. Look for a paperclip icon or a button labeled "Attach" or "Add attachment." Click it, and a window will open showing the folders and files on your computer.
Navigate to the file you want to send. If you're looking for a document, it's usually in your Documents folder. Photos are usually in Pictures. Once you find the file, click it once to select it, then click the "Open" or "Attach" button at the bottom of the window. The file name will appear in your email, usually below the subject line or in a separate "Attachments" area.
You can attach more than one file to a single email. Just click the paperclip icon again and pick another file. Before you send, look at the list of attachments to make sure you picked the right ones — it's easy to attach the wrong file by mistake.
Attaching files in email on a phone or tablet
Open your email app and start a new message. Look for a plus sign, paperclip icon, or sometimes a camera icon near the bottom or top of the compose window. Tap it.
A menu will appear with options like "Photos," "Files," "Camera," or "Documents." Tap the option that matches where your file is stored. If you want to send a photo you took, tap "Camera" or "Photos." If you want to send a document, tap "Files" or "Documents." Then pick the file from the list and tap it to attach it.
Some phones let you attach files by holding down on the compose area and selecting "Attach" from a menu that pops up. The exact steps depend on your phone and email app, but the paperclip or plus sign is almost always the starting point.
Attaching files in text messages and messaging apps
In text messages on most phones, look for a plus sign or paperclip icon next to the text box where you type. Tap it to see options for attaching photos, videos, or files. Select what you want to send, pick the file, and it will appear in your message before you hit send.
Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram work the same way — look for a plus, paperclip, or attachment icon, tap it, and pick your file. Some apps also let you tap a camera icon to take a photo right then and attach it without saving it first.
Keep in mind that messaging apps often compress photos and videos to make them smaller so they send faster. The file that arrives on the other end may be lower quality than the original on your phone. If you need to send a high-quality photo or video, email is usually a better choice than a messaging app.
Attaching files to online forms and websites
When a website asks you to upload a file — to submit a resume, upload a profile photo, or send a document — look for a button that says "Choose File," "Upload," "Browse," or "Select File." Click or tap it, and a file browser window will open on your computer or phone.
Find the file you want to send and click or tap it to select it. Then click "Open" or "Upload" to attach it to the form. The file name will usually appear next to the button so you can see what you picked. Some websites let you drag and drop a file directly onto the page instead of clicking a button — just click and hold the file, drag it to the website, and let go.
Before you submit the form, double-check that the right file is attached. Once you submit, the file goes to the website's server, and you usually can't change it without starting over.
File size limits and what happens when files are too large
Email programs usually have a limit on how large a single attachment can be. Gmail allows up to 25 megabytes per file. Outlook allows up to 20 megabytes. If your file is larger than the limit, the email program will warn you and won't let you send it.
If you need to send a very large file — a video, a folder with many photos, or a high-resolution image — you have a few choices. You can compress the file to make it smaller, split it into multiple emails, or use a file-sharing service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. With these services, you upload the file to the internet, and then you send a link to the other person instead of the file itself. They can download it from the link.
Messaging apps and text messages also have size limits, and they often compress files automatically. If the quality matters, email or a file-sharing link is usually the better choice.
Checking your attachment before you send
After you attach a file, take a few seconds to look at what appears in your message. Make sure the file name matches what you meant to send. It's easy to pick the wrong file by mistake, especially if you have many similar file names like "Resume," "Resume 2," or "Photo 1."
If you attached the wrong file, click or tap the X next to the file name to remove it, then attach the correct one. Once you send the message, you can't take it back, so this quick check saves you from embarrassment or confusion later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my file attach?
The most common reason is that your file is too large for the email program or website. Check the size limit and try compressing the file or using a file-sharing link instead. If the file is small, make sure you actually clicked "Open" or "Attach" after picking the file — sometimes the window closes without attaching anything if you click the wrong button.
Can I attach a file from my phone's cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud?
Yes. In most email and messaging apps, when you tap the attachment button, you'll see options for "Google Drive," "OneDrive," "iCloud," or similar services. Tap the one you use, pick the file, and it will attach. This is useful because it doesn't use your phone's storage space.
What if the person I'm sending to can't open the file?
This usually happens when you send a file in a format their program doesn't recognize. If you're sending a document, use a common format like PDF or Word (.docx). If you're sending a photo, use JPG or PNG. If you're unsure, ask the person what format they need before you send.
Does attaching a file use my data or internet?
Yes. Attaching and sending a file uses data, whether you're on WiFi or a mobile network. Large files use more data. If you're on a limited data plan, attach files over WiFi when possible to avoid using up your monthly allowance.
Can I attach a folder with multiple files inside it?
Most email programs don't let you attach a folder directly. You have to attach each file one at a time, or compress the folder into a single ZIP file first, then attach the ZIP file. The person who receives it can unzip it to get all the files back. File-sharing services like Google Drive or Dropbox are easier if you need to send many files at once.