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We all have been in the situation where we need to send a large file from our iPhone to Mac. The traditional method of using email attachments or airdrop might not always work as these options come with file size restrictions. This is where Apple’s Mail Drop feature comes in handy. Mail Drop is an Apple feature that lets you send large files up to 5GB from your iPhone to Mac.
In this article, we will guide you on how to use Mail Drop from iPhone to Mac. We will discuss the needed requirements, the focus points, the methods, the limitations along with their fixes, implications and recommendations, and FAQs that will help you perform this action with ease.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we start, let’s get familiar with the requirements needed for Mail Drop. You will need the following:
– An iPhone or iPad running iOS 9.2 or later
– A Mac running OS X 10.10 or later
– A valid iCloud account and an active internet connection in both devices
What requires your focus?
The Mail Drop feature is easy to use, but there are certain things you should keep in mind to make the entire process smooth and hassle-free. Here are a few things that require your focus:
– Ensure that both your devices are connected to the internet, and your email is synced on both devices.
– Make sure that the email address you are sending the file to can handle large attachments.
– If you are using a public Wi-Fi network, there might be limitations on how large files you can send, so always check with the network provider before initiating the process.
Method 1: Sending Mail Drop from your iPhone
Sending Mail Drop from your iPhone is an easy process, and it takes only a few clicks to complete it. Follow the steps given below to send Mail Drop from your iPhone:
1. Start by opening the ‘Mail’ application on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the ‘Compose’ button located in the lower right corner of the window.
3. Type the recipient’s email address and subject in the designated fields.
4. Click on the ‘^’ arrow icon in the toolbar located in the upper right corner of the window.
5. Tap on the ‘Add Attachment’ option.
6. Choose the file you want to send from the ‘Photos,’ ‘iCloud Drive,’ or ‘Files’ folder.
7. In case the file size is larger than 20MB, you will see a prompt to use ‘Mail Drop’ to send the file.
8. Select ‘Use Mail Drop’ and click the ‘Send’ button to initiate the transfer.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– The feature is built into the default Mail application.
Cons:
– The process only works for files larger than 20MB.
Method 2: Receiving Mail Drop on your Mac
Receiving Mail Drop on your Mac is a straightforward process, and Mail App handles the entire process automatically. Follow the steps given below to receive Mail Drop on your Mac:
1. Open the ‘Mail’ app on your Mac.
2. Find the mail with the Mail Drop attachment and click on the download button.
3. The attachment will start downloading in the background, and you can use the Mail app to continue with your other tasks.
Pros:
– The process is automatic and doesn’t require any additional setup.
Cons:
– The download speed might be slow if the internet connection is weak.
Method 3: Sending Mail Drop through iCloud
Sending Mail Drop through iCloud is useful when you are not near your Mac or when the Mail application is not functioning correctly. Follow the steps given below to send Mail Drop through iCloud:
1. Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Go to the iCloud website, and sign in with your Apple credentials.
3. Tap on ‘Mail’ to open the iCloud Mail application.
4. Compose a new email draft and type in the recipient’s email address, the subject of the email, and then tap ‘Attach’ button from the toolbar.
5. Select the file you want to send from your Photos or Files folder.
6. Tap ‘Send large attachment with Mail Drop’ when prompted.
7. Tap ‘Use Mail Drop’ to send the email with the attachment.
Pros:
– You can use Mail Drop without having to use the native Mail app on your device.
Cons:
– The Mail Drop feature is only available on devices running iOS 9.2 or later.
Why Can’t I Mail Drop from iPhone to Mac?
Here are a few reasons why you might encounter issues while using Mail Drop and their fixes:
1. Large attachments are only available when the email is sent from an iCloud account; ensure that your email address is synced with an iCloud account.
2. Check if the file you’re trying to attach is larger than 5GB as this is the maximum file size that Mail Drop supports.
3. Make sure that both your devices are connected to the internet, and there is no public Wi-Fi network limiting the file transfer.
Implications and Recommendations
Mail Drop is a convenient feature that helps you transfer large files from your iPhone to Mac without having to worry about file size limitations. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while using Mail Drop:
– It works only for attachments larger than 20MB.
– It only works with iCloud accounts.
– The recipient’s email address should be able to handle large attachments.
We recommend that you use Mail Drop only for transferring files that are too large to attach to emails.
5 FAQs about Mail Drop from iPhone to Mac
Q. How can I see if an email I sent used Mail Drop?
A. You can check if an email was sent using Mail Drop by opening the ‘Sent’ folder and looking for an icon of an attachment with a cloud appearing on the right side of the attachment.
Q. Can I receive Mail Drop files on an iPhone or iPad?
A. Yes. Any device that runs on iOS 9.2 or later and is signed in to an iCloud account can receive Mail Drop files.
Q. Can I use Mail Drop to send a file to a non-iCloud user?
A. No. Mail Drop works only with iCloud accounts.
Q. How long will the attachment be available for download?
A. For 30 days starting from the date you sent the attachment.
Q. What should I do if the recipient doesn’t receive the Mail Drop attachment?
A. Check if the recipient’s email account can handle the size of the file, and check your network connection, your email syncing, and that you’re running at least OS X 10.10 or later on your Mac.
In Conclusion
Mail Drop is a great feature that allows you to send large files from your iPhone to Mac without any limitations. The feature is easy to use, and the entire process doesn’t take much time if you have a stable internet connection. With the help of our guide, you can now send large files without worrying about the attachment size. We hope you find this guide useful and that it helps you eliminate the issue of sending large files from the iPhone to Mac.