How to Send Video Mail on iPhone or iPod touch

To send a video by email from an iPhone or iPod touch, attach a clip in the Mail app or share it from Photos. You’ll need an email account set up on the device and an internet connection; if the video is too large for ordinary email, use Mail Drop or a cloud link instead.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPod touch with the Mail and Photos apps.
• An email account configured in Mail, or access to a web-based email service.
• A recorded video saved in Photos, plus Wi-Fi or mobile data to send it.
• For large videos, enough iCloud storage to use Mail Drop, or access to a cloud-storage service that can create a share link.

Step-by-Step

1. Check that Mail is ready. Open Mail and confirm that you can see your inbox. If prompted, add an account through Settings: open Settings, tap Apps, then Mail, and choose Mail Accounts or Accounts (the label can vary by iOS version). Tap Add Account and follow your email provider’s setup instructions. Older iOS versions may show Mail directly in Settings.
2. Find the video. Open Photos and locate the clip. Tap it to confirm that it plays and that you have chosen the right video. If it is not in Photos, find it in Files or the app where it was saved; you can attach it from there using that app’s Share button.
3. Start an email from Mail. Open Mail, tap the compose button (a square with a pencil), and enter the recipient’s email address in the To field. Add a subject and a short message so the recipient knows what the video is.
4. Attach the video. Tap in the message body, then tap the arrow or formatting control above the keyboard if needed. Choose Insert Photo or Video or the photo-library option, select the clip, and tap Use or Add if prompted. On some versions, you can instead open Photos, select the video, tap Share, and choose Mail. Review the message before sending.
5. Send the message. Tap the send arrow. If a notice says the attachment is too large, choose Use Mail Drop if that option appears. Mail Drop uploads the file and sends the recipient a download link rather than putting the full video inside the email. Wait for the upload to finish; keep the device connected to the internet and avoid closing Mail until it has completed.
6. If Mail Drop is unavailable, share a link. Upload the video to a cloud service you use, set the link’s access so the intended recipient can view or download it, and copy the share link into a new email. Check the sharing permissions before sending. A link may fail if it requires the recipient to sign in or if access is restricted.
7. Confirm it went out. Open Mail’s Sent mailbox and check for the message. If it remains in Outbox, tap it to review the address and connection, then try sending again. A video link is not the same as an attached file, so make that clear in your message.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming every video fits in email. Email providers limit message size, and encoding can make an attachment larger than expected. A short clip may still be rejected. Use Mail Drop or a share link when Mail reports a size problem.
• Using the wrong recipient address. Check spelling and confirm the address before sending, especially when autocomplete inserts an old contact.
• Choosing a photo instead of a video. In Photos, verify that the selected item is the clip you intend to send. If attaching from Files, select the actual video file rather than a thumbnail or preview image.
• Closing the app during upload. Large uploads can take time, particularly on a weak connection. Leave Mail open until the send completes and check Sent afterward.
• Sharing a link without checking permissions. The recipient may see an access-denied page if the file is private. Test the link’s sharing settings and avoid making private footage publicly accessible.

Tips

• Trim the clip in Photos before sharing if the recipient does not need the whole recording. A shorter video uploads faster and is easier to download.
• Use Wi-Fi for a large upload when possible. If you rely on mobile data, check your plan and connection before sending.
• Describe the clip and its approximate length in the message. For a cloud link, say whether the recipient should view it online or download it.
• Mail Drop links are temporary and have a limited availability period. If the recipient needs lasting access, use a cloud service and settings suited to that purpose, or send the file another way.
• For sensitive video, share only with the intended person and choose the narrowest practical access setting. Remove or change access when the recipient no longer needs the file.

Troubleshooting

The video will not attach: Check that it is saved locally or available to the device, and try selecting it from Photos or Files again. Restart Mail if the picker appears stuck. If the file is too large, use Mail Drop or upload it and send a link.

The email stays in Outbox: Check Wi-Fi or mobile-data access, confirm that Mail can connect to your account, and verify the recipient address. Open the message in Outbox and try again. If other messages also fail, check the account settings or your provider’s service status.

Mail Drop does not appear: Update the device’s software if an update is available, ensure you are composing from an iCloud-enabled Mail account, and try again. Availability and prompts can differ by software version and account setup. A cloud-sharing link is a practical alternative.

The recipient cannot open the video: Ask them to check the link, their internet connection, and whether they are signed in to the account required by the sharing settings. If the link has expired, create and send a new one.

The video looks smaller or less clear: Some email services or apps may resize media. For best quality, send a cloud link to the original file instead of relying on an in-message preview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a video from an iPod touch?
Yes, if Mail is configured and the device can connect to the internet. The steps are broadly the same as on an iPhone.

How do I attach a video from Photos?
In Mail, tap the message body, open the attachment or formatting controls, choose the photo-library option, select the video, and add it to the message. You can also select the video in Photos and share it to Mail.

Why does Mail say my video is too large?
Email systems cap message sizes, and the video may exceed that limit. Choose Mail Drop if offered, or send a cloud-storage link instead.

Does Mail Drop send the video as a normal attachment?
No. It uploads the video and puts a download link in the email, so the recipient retrieves the file from the link.

Can I send a video without Wi-Fi?
You can use mobile data if it is enabled and available, but a large upload may take time or use substantial data. Connect to Wi-Fi when practical.

What if I cannot find the video in Photos?
Check Files or the app where you downloaded or received it. Open that location’s Share menu or use Mail’s attachment controls to browse for the file.

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