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How to Attach a Folder to an Email

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Attaching a folder to an email lets you send multiple files at once without zipping them first, which is handy for sharing project files or a batch of photos. This guide shows you how to attach a folder in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and Yahoo Mail, and what to do if your email provider doesn’t support folder attachments directly.

What You’ll Need

  • An email account with a provider that supports folder attachments (Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail, Apple Mail on Mac).
  • Access to the folder you want to attach—it should be on your computer or cloud drive.
  • A stable internet connection, especially if the folder contains large files.

Step-by-Step

The exact steps vary slightly by email client, but the general process is the same. Here’s how to do it in the most common email services.

Gmail (Web)

  1. Open Gmail in your browser and click Compose (the pencil icon).
  2. In the compose window, click the paperclip icon at the bottom.
  3. In the file picker, navigate to the folder you want to attach. Select the folder (click once to highlight it).
  4. Click Open or Choose. Gmail will automatically create a ZIP file of the folder and attach it.
  5. Add the recipient, subject, and message, then click Send.

Outlook.com (Web)

  1. Go to Outlook.com and click New message.
  2. Click the paperclip icon in the toolbar.
  3. Select the folder from your computer and click Open. Outlook.com will compress it into a ZIP file automatically.
  4. Fill in the recipient and subject, then click Send.

Apple Mail (Mac)

  1. Open Mail on your Mac and click the New Message button (or press Cmd+N).
  2. Drag the folder from Finder directly into the body of the email. Mail will attach it as a folder, and it will be sent as a ZIP file automatically.
  3. Alternatively, click the paperclip icon, select the folder, and click Choose File.
  4. Complete the email and click Send.

Yahoo Mail (Web)

  1. Open Yahoo Mail and click Compose.
  2. Click the paperclip icon.
  3. Select the folder and click Open. Yahoo will attach it as a ZIP file.
  4. Add recipient and subject, then click Send.

If Your Email Client Doesn’t Support Folder Attachments

Some email apps (like the built-in Mail app on iPhone or Android) don’t have a direct “attach folder” option. In that case, you can zip the folder first:

  1. On Windows: Right-click the folder → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder.
  2. On Mac: Control-click the folder → Compress.
  3. Attach the resulting ZIP file to your email like any other file.

Common Mistakes

  • Attaching the wrong folder: Double-check that you selected the correct folder before sending.
  • Forgetting to zip first: If your email client doesn’t auto-zip, you must manually compress the folder or the recipient may receive individual files.
  • Exceeding size limits: Most email providers cap attachments at 25 MB (Gmail) or 20 MB (Outlook). If your folder is larger, the email will fail.
  • Sending a shortcut instead of the folder: On Windows, if you right-click and choose “Send to” → “Mail recipient”, it may send a shortcut (.lnk) instead of the actual folder. Always use the paperclip icon.

Tips

  • If the folder is large, consider using a cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) and share a link instead of attaching the folder directly.
  • Before sending, open the ZIP file you created to make sure it contains everything you expect.
  • If you’re sending the folder to someone who uses a different email client, they may need to unzip the file to access the contents—mention that in your message.
  • For quick access, you can drag and drop a folder into the compose window in Gmail or Outlook—it will auto-zip.

Troubleshooting

If the folder doesn’t attach or the email fails to send, here’s what to try:

  • Check the file size: If the folder is over the limit, compress it with a tool like WinZip (Windows) or Archive Utility (Mac) to reduce size, or use a cloud link.
  • Try zipping manually: If the auto-zip fails, manually create a ZIP file and attach that.
  • Use a different browser: If the attach button doesn’t respond, try a different browser or clear your browser cache.
  • Check internet connection: A slow or unstable connection can interrupt the upload. Try again with a wired connection or restart your router.
  • If the recipient complains they can’t open it: They may need to unzip the file. Send instructions or use a different format like RAR (though ZIP is more universal).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach a folder to an email on my phone?

Most mobile email apps (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail) do not have a direct “attach folder” option. You can either select multiple files manually or zip the folder using a file manager app before attaching.

Why does my email client automatically zip the folder?

Email protocols don’t support folders as a native attachment type. To send a folder, it must be compressed into a single file (like ZIP), which preserves the folder structure.

What is the maximum folder size I can attach?

It depends on your email provider. Gmail allows up to 25 MB, Outlook.com up to 20 MB, and Yahoo Mail up to 25 MB. If your folder exceeds this, use a cloud storage link instead.

How do I attach a folder from Google Drive or OneDrive?

In Gmail, click the Google Drive icon in the compose window, select the folder, and choose “Drive” as the attachment type. In Outlook, click the OneDrive icon and attach a link to the folder. This doesn’t count against your email size limit.

Can I attach a folder to an email without zipping it?

No, not directly. Email systems can’t send folders as-is. However, some clients (like Gmail) automatically zip the folder for you, so you don’t have to do it manually.

Why does my recipient see an empty ZIP file?

This usually happens if the folder contains only empty subfolders, or if the ZIP was created incorrectly. Re-create the ZIP file and verify its contents before sending.

Related

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