Open Mail and start a new message

To attach a file to an email on your iPhone, you first need to open the Mail app and create a new message. Tap the compose button — it looks like a pencil in a square, usually in the bottom right corner of the screen. A blank email will open with fields for To, Cc, Bcc, and Subject.

Type the recipient's email address in the To field and add a subject line. You can write your message in the body of the email. Once you have the basic email set up, you are ready to add an attachment.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mail app on iPhone lets you attach files by tapping and holding in the message body, then selecting Add Attachment from the menu.
  • You can attach photos, videos, documents, and files from the Files app, but not all file types work with every email provider.
  • Attachments larger than 25 MB may be rejected by the recipient's email server, so compress large files before sending.
  • If you cannot see an Add Attachment option, your email provider or iPhone settings may not support attachments in that way.

Tap and hold to bring up the attachment menu

Once your email is ready, tap and hold directly in the message body where you want the attachment to appear. A menu will pop up with several options. Look for Add Attachment in this menu — it is the option that lets you browse for files to send.

If you do not see Add Attachment in the menu, try tapping in a different spot in the message body and holding again. Sometimes the menu appears differently depending on where you tap. If it still does not appear, your email account type may not support attachments through this method, and you may need to use a different approach.

Choose where your file is located

After you tap Add Attachment, your iPhone will show you where you can find files. The most common locations are Photos (for pictures and videos you have taken), Files (for documents and other files stored on your device or in cloud storage), and sometimes iCloud Drive or other cloud services you have set up.

If you want to attach a photo or video, tap Photos and browse to the image or video you want to send. If you want to attach a document like a PDF or Word file, tap Files and navigate to the folder where that file is stored. You can also attach files from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive if you have those apps installed and signed in on your iPhone.

Select the file and confirm

Once you have navigated to the file you want to attach, tap it to select it. Your iPhone will show a preview or confirmation that the file is selected. Then tap the button to confirm — this is usually labeled Add, Insert, or Choose, depending on which location you are browsing.

The file will now appear in your email as an attachment. You will see it displayed in the message, often with a file icon and the file name. You can add more than one attachment by repeating these steps. Once all your attachments are added, review your email one more time and then tap Send to deliver it.

What to do if attachments are not working

If you cannot find the Add Attachment option or if attachments keep failing to send, check that your email account is set up correctly in the Mail app. Go to Settings, then Mail, then Accounts, and make sure your email account is listed and active. Some email providers have stricter rules about attachments, and older email accounts may need to be re-entered.

File size is another common problem. If your attachment is very large — more than 25 MB — many email servers will reject it. Before sending, check the file size by looking at it in the Files app. If it is too large, you can compress it, delete unnecessary files, or use a file-sharing service like Google Drive instead and send a link in the email rather than the file itself.

Using alternative methods if Mail attachments do not work

If the Mail app is not cooperating, you have other options. You can open the file directly in its app — for example, open a photo in Photos, tap Share, and choose Mail from the share menu. This will create a new email with that file already attached. You can also open a document in its native app (like Word or Google Docs) and use the Share or Send option to email it directly.

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud Drive also let you share files by generating a link. Open the file in the cloud service app, tap Share, and copy the link. Then paste that link into an email in Mail. The recipient can open the link to view or download the file without you having to send the actual file as an attachment.

File types and size limits to know about

Most email providers accept common file types like photos (JPG, PNG), videos (MP4, MOV), documents (PDF, Word, Excel), and text files. However, some file types — particularly executable files or certain compressed formats — may be blocked by email servers for security reasons. If you are trying to send an unusual file type and it keeps failing, try converting it to a more standard format first.

Size limits vary by email provider. Gmail allows attachments up to 25 MB, Outlook allows up to 20 MB, and some corporate email systems have smaller limits. If you hit a size limit, you will usually get an error message when you try to send. Compressing the file, reducing image quality, or splitting large files into smaller pieces can help. For very large files, cloud sharing is almost always the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach multiple files at once?

Yes. After you add your first attachment, tap and hold in the message body again and select Add Attachment to add another file. You can repeat this as many times as you need, as long as the total size does not exceed your email provider's limit. Most people can attach three to five files without running into problems.

Why does my attachment keep failing to send?

The most common reasons are file size (too large for the email server), a weak internet connection, or an email account that is not set up correctly. Try sending a smaller file first to see if the problem is size-related. If you have a weak connection, wait until you have a stronger signal or connect to WiFi. If the problem continues, check your email account settings in Mail.

Can I attach files from my computer to an iPhone email?

Not directly from your computer. However, you can upload files to a cloud service like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox on your computer, then access them on your iPhone through the Files app or the cloud service app. From there, you can attach them to an email using the steps above.

What happens if the recipient cannot open my attachment?

This usually means the file format is not compatible with their device or software. For example, a Word document might not open on an older phone. Ask the recipient what format they can use, or convert the file to PDF, which opens on almost any device. You can also send the file through a cloud service instead, where the recipient can download it in whatever format works for them.

Is there a limit to how many attachments I can send in one email?

There is no strict limit on the number of files, but the total size of all attachments combined cannot exceed your email provider's limit — usually 20 to 25 MB. If you need to send many large files, consider using cloud storage and sending a shared link instead.