Mail Drop allows you to transfer huge items like films, presentations, and photos using iCloud. The service restrictions may have been exceeded if you shared links using Mail Drop that are no longer accessible.
What is Mail Drop?
It is possible to transfer huge files like films, slideshows, and photos straight from the Mail app using the Mail Drop functionality provided by Apple. The following devices may use this feature:
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Apple’s iPhone
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iPad
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iPod touch
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Mac
Make sure your Apple device is running iOS 9.2 or later or OS X Yosemite or later if you plan on sending a big email from it. The iCloud website also allows you to access Mail Drop from any computer.
Mail Drop on iPhone
There isn’t a shortcut to the Mail Drop function anywhere on the interface. When your iPhone detects that the file you’ve selected is too large to be delivered normally via the Mail app, it will ask you whether you want to use Mail Drop instead.
Sending huge files from your iPhone is easy with these instructions:
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Log in to your iPhone’s mail application.
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To begin a new email, tap the write new email symbol in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
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Enter the recipient’s email address, type in your message, and attach any required attachments.
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The arrow in the top right of the screen may be tapped to go up.
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You’ll get a warning that the attachments are too big to distribute by email and that it’s preferable to use Mail Drop instead. Tap To send the email, go to Mail Drop and do so.
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It’s done. For the following 30 days, your message will be accessible to the receiver through iCloud. The email will seem to be a normal one as if it had just been sent.
Mail Drop on Mac
The Mail Drop function on a Mac makes it easy to send an email with a huge attachment. What you need to do is as follows:
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Begin by opening the e-mail application on your computer.
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Create a new message by pressing Command + N on your keyboard or by clicking on the compose new message button.
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Add an attachment to your message by clicking on the paperclip button. Click Choose File to open the files you’ve selected from your Mac’s library.
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Click the paper aircraft symbol when you’re ready to deliver your message.
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Sending big attachments will prompt the program to recommend using Mail Drop. Click Use Mail Drop in the resulting pop-up window.
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That email will appear to the recipient as if it were any other. Simply clicking on the files will do the trick.
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Sending a huge file using Mail Drop on your Mac may fail if this functionality isn’t activated by default.
To accomplish this, use the menu bar to go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts. Check the box next to Send big attachments with Mail Drop after selecting your desired email account on the left side of the page.
Mail Drop on Computer
You may use the Mail Drop function on any computer to deliver email attachments. Simply having an internet connection and the ability to upgrade your browser is all you need to get started.
What you need to know:
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Go to iCloud.com in your favorite browser on your computer.
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Sign in to your iCloud account and begin using your devices.
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The Mail app will open after you’ve clicked the Mail app icon.
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To write a new email, click the compose icon.
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The recipient’s email address, subject line, and content should all be entered. To attach a file, click on the paperclip symbol. Click Choose once you’ve selected the files you wish to transmit.
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Click Send when you’re finished.
From any computer, you may send an email with huge attachments. Check to see whether you’ve enabled the option to drop big attachments in the event of a problem. To use this feature, go to Preferences > Composing, select the box next to Use Mail Drop when sending huge files, and then click Done on the Show Actions Menu button.
Summary:
It’s possible that this approach doesn’t work for you for whatever reason, but there are several excellent free file transfer tools that you may use instead. Storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive may be used to distribute data. However, they may seem to be overly restricting at times.
Mail Drop Working
You’ll need an iCloud account to get started. When using iCloud.com, Mail, or Mail on an iOS device or Mac, you have the option to use Mail Drop.
You may utilize Mail Drop if you have an attachment that is too big to send. The file is sent to the recipient through iCloud and may be downloaded using a link provided by the Mail app. Using this method, you may send a huge file without having to worry about email clients limiting attachment sizes.
There is no way to take back files you’ve sent to iCloud using Mail Drop. After 30 days, they are automatically deactivated. The good news is that Mail Drop doesn’t deplete your iCloud storage space. However, you are restricted in the amount of Mail Drop storage you may use.
Each user is limited to 1 terabyte of storage. As soon as one of your files expires, you will no longer be able to utilize Mail Drop until that storage space is restored.
Mail Drop Alternatives
If you want something less obnoxious, there are many options.
| Alternatives | Explanation |
|---|---|
| iCloud Drive | Even with the free 5GB version, you may upload files and get a public URL to distribute them. Apple doesn’t mention sharing limitations, but I’m confident it discourages excessive downloads. |
| Dropbox | Any file may be shared with a public URL using Dropbox’s free version. It has limitations as well, but they’re not unreasonable based on what I’ve read or heard or my own experience. |
| Cloud-Based Storage | Accounts on Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, and Google Cloud only charge for active storage and downloads. Some providers also feature complimentary transfers. A modest storage cost |
Mail Drop Limits
It’s possible to transmit attachments of up to 5 GB in size using the Mail Drop application. On your Mac, iPad, or iPhone, you can use the built-in Mail software to email these attachments, and on your PC, you can use the iCloud website.
In addition, attachments do not count towards your iCloud storage. Mail will prompt you to use Mail Drop if a message, including attachments, exceeds your Internet Service Provider (ISP) limit.
These constraints may prevent attachments from being delivered using Mail Drop:
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The mail and all of its attachments take up more than 5 GB of disk space.
Compressing your files and sending them in numerous email messages might help you get your message across more quickly. -
Attached to the mail is an uncompressed folder. Compress your attachments by following these procedures.
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The maximum number of recipients has been reached or an excessive number of messages have been delivered to the specified recipients. Learn more about mailbox size and message sending constraints.
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You have exceeded the 1 TB limit for Mail Drop storage. You may send new attachments once older ones have expired and extra storage space becomes available since each attachment expires after 30 days.
These limitations should also be reviewed:
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It is possible to use Mail Drop on a Mac or PC with an updated browser and OS X Yosemite or later, as well as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 9.2. Mail Drop’s specifications may be found here.
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Mail Drop attachments are available to recipients for 30 days after they are sent.
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Depending on the recipient’s email app, the attachment may not be able to be sent.
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The speed of your Internet connection and the file size of your attachment will determine how long it takes to upload or download an attachment.
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As a result, receivers may be unable to get to your file because of a large volume of downloads or high traffic.
Add an Attachment to an Email in Mail Drop
Any number of files may be attached to a message. You may utilize Mail Drop if you wish to attach files that are too big to transmit by email.
Add an Attachment
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Add an attachment in Mail on iCloud.com by clicking the Attach button in the message window’s upper-right corner while composing a message.
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Follow the on-screen directions to begin uploading your files when you’ve selected them.
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Using Mail Drop is an option if your attachments are too big to transmit by email alone. The attachments are uploaded to iCloud if you consent and Mail Drop is enabled.
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Depending on the size of the files, the upload may take a while to finish.
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If you want to add additional files, follow the same instructions as before.
Remove an Attachment
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When composing a message on iCloud.com’s Mail, hold the cursor over the attachment.
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Right-click and choose “Remove”.
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A file attachment may only be deleted before the message is sent.
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No, you can’t delete files that have already been transmitted via Mail Drop. They’re only good for 30 days until they expire.
Turn on Mail Drop for Attachments
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Sending huge files to iCloud may be done via the Mail Drop feature, which encrypts them. After sending the message, recipients get an attachment or a Mail Drop link, which they may access for 30 days. See Apple’s support page on the subject.
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You may enter the Preferences pane in iCloud.com’s Mail by clicking the Settings button at the top of the list of mailboxes.
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When sending huge attachments, choose “Use Mail Drop.”
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To complete the process, press the Done button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs related to maildrop:
1. What exactly is the iPhone mail drop feature?
Large files including films, presentations, and photos may be transferred with iCloud Mail Drop. It’s possible to transmit attachments of up to 5 GB in size using the Mail Drop application. On your Mac, iPad, or iPhone, you can use the built-in Mail software to email these attachments, and on your PC, you can use iCloud.com.
2. A mail drop is referred to by what name?
Customers may place their mail-in collection box receptacles, which are either freestanding blue boxes, post-mounted boxes, or chutes built inside a structure. Drop-off facilities for mail and Collection Boxes may be found within or on the premises of a Post Office.
3. How can I get into my iCloud account?
The iCloud website may be accessed from any computer or mobile device by simply visiting icloud.com. You can control iCloud and the data it keeps on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the Apple ID menu.
4. What is the iPad version of Maildrop?
You’ll need an iCloud account to utilize Mail Drop on an Apple device. Instead of delivering your file over email, Mail Drop uses iCloud to store it. If you use this function to send an email with an attachment, the receiver has 30 days to open the attachment.
5. How can I enable iPhone Maildrop?
Simply touch or click on the “Use Mail Drop” button to activate it. Finally, your file will be saved to your iCloud storage. Send the email as normal from here. An iCloud download link will be sent instead of a regular attachment to the email.
6. In what ways may I make use of the maildrop?
Large items including films, slideshows, and photos may be transmitted over iCloud’s Mail Drop service. The service restrictions may have been exceeded if you shared links using Mail Drop that are no longer accessible. It’s possible to transmit attachments of up to 5 GB in size using the Mail Drop application.
7. How can I use Gmail to transfer huge files?
Click on the Google Drive icon in the bottom toolbar to open a new Google Drive window while writing an email from the Gmail website. In this case, you may either upload the huge file or choose it from your Google Drive account.
8. In what way do blue USPS boxes operate?
You don’t have to make a special journey to the post office to use the blue box. If you’re referring to the street collection box, any mail that is dropped into them must have the proper postage applied; if not, it will be returned to you stamped inadequate postage.
9. Can packages be dropped off at a USPS box?
Yes, this is a valid question. It is possible to place parcels into USPS blue mailboxes if they fit and contains proper postage (either via stamps, or postage printed out from Amazon, Stamps.com, or Paypal).
10. Are Androids capable of receiving mail?
As of iOS 9.2, Mail Drop now works on all iOS-powered devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch). The email attachments may be downloaded by the receivers of the email regardless of the device or operating system they are using (OS X, iOS, Android, or Windows).
11. Can you tell me what’s wrong with Maildrop?
In a word, the most common causes of issues include transmitting files that are too large, or miscommunications between email systems and operating systems. Only Macs running OS X Yosemite or later may use Mail Drop.
Conclusion
It is critical to choose a safe and trustworthy method of emailing files. You may utilize the Mail Drop function to transmit attachments of nearly any size since the Mail app and iCloud are regarded as trustworthy solutions. The Mail app, on the other hand, may sometimes have difficulty sending and receiving files. Keep an eye out for frequent problems with email attachments so you can prevent them from occurring in the future.