Sending large videos from an iPhone to a Mac can be a challenging task. Whether you want to share a memorable moment with friends and family, or you need to transfer a video for work or editing purposes, it’s important to have a reliable method to transfer these large files. In this blog post, we will explore several methods to send a large video from an iPhone to a Mac, providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to streamline this process.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Sending Large Videos
Transferring large videos from an iPhone to a Mac can be a cumbersome task due to several reasons. One of the main challenges is the file size limitation imposed by email services and messaging apps. Most email providers set a maximum attachment size, which may not be sufficient for large video files. Similarly, messaging apps also have limitations, making it difficult to directly share these videos.
Furthermore, the high-quality of videos captured by modern iPhones results in larger file sizes, posing another challenge when transferring these videos. The need for a reliable, efficient, and easy-to-use method to send large videos from an iPhone to a Mac becomes evident.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we delve into the methods of sending large videos, there are a few things that you should prepare beforehand to ensure a smooth and successful transfer.
1. Make sure both your iPhone and Mac are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. This will ensure a faster transfer and minimize interruptions.
2. Ensure that you have enough storage space on both your iPhone and Mac. Large videos can take up a significant amount of storage, and you don’t want to encounter any issues due to insufficient space during the transfer process.
3. It’s recommended to close any unnecessary apps or programs on your iPhone and Mac to free up system resources and optimize performance.
4. For some methods, you might need to install additional apps or software on both your iPhone and Mac. Make sure to download and install these beforehand to save time during the transfer process.
Method 1: Using AirDrop
AirDrop is a built-in feature in iOS and macOS that allows quick and easy file transfers between Apple devices. Here’s how you can use AirDrop to send a large video from your iPhone to a Mac:
Step 1: On your iPhone, make sure AirDrop is enabled. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen (or swipe up from the bottom, depending on your iPhone model) to open Control Center. Tap on the AirDrop icon and select "Contacts Only" or "Everyone" depending on your preferences.
Step 2: On your Mac, ensure AirDrop is enabled as well. Open Finder and click on "AirDrop" in the sidebar. Set your Mac’s visibility to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone."
Step 3: Now, select the video you want to send from your iPhone’s Photos app. Tap on the "Share" button, which looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards.
Step 4: From the Share menu, select your Mac’s name under the AirDrop section. Your Mac will receive a notification asking to accept the file transfer.
Step 5: On your Mac, click "Accept" when prompted to receive the video. The video will be saved directly to your Mac’s Downloads folder by default.
Pros:
1. Quick and easy file transfer.
2. No need for additional apps or software.
3. Works seamlessly between Apple devices.
Cons:
1. Both devices need to be in close proximity.
2. Limited to Apple devices running iOS and macOS.
3. Transfer speed may vary depending on Wi-Fi signal strength.
Method 2: Via iCloud Drive
iCloud Drive is another convenient way to transfer large videos from an iPhone to a Mac. This method allows you to upload the video to iCloud, making it accessible from any device with an internet connection. Here’s how you can use iCloud Drive to send a large video:
Step 1: On your iPhone, go to Settings and tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen. Select "iCloud" and then "iCloud Drive." Make sure iCloud Drive is enabled and that you have enough available storage for the video.
Step 2: Open the Photos app on your iPhone and select the video you want to send. Tap on the share button and select "Save to Files."
Step 3: Choose a location within your iCloud Drive to save the video, or create a new folder if desired. Tap "Save" to upload the video to iCloud.
Step 4: On your Mac, open a web browser and go to iCloud.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Step 5: From the iCloud.com dashboard, click on iCloud Drive. Navigate to the folder where you saved the video and click to select it.
Step 6: Finally, click on the download button to transfer the video from iCloud Drive to your Mac.
Pros:
1. Allows access to the video from any device with an internet connection.
2. No need for physical connection or close proximity between devices.
3. Can be useful for sharing videos with non-Apple users.
Cons:
1. Requires sufficient iCloud storage.
2. Requires internet connectivity for both devices.
3. Transfer speed may be slower depending on internet connection.
Method 3: Using Google Drive
Google Drive is a popular cloud storage service that allows you to store and share files across different devices. By uploading your video to Google Drive, you can easily transfer it from your iPhone to your Mac. Here’s how you can use Google Drive to send a large video:
Step 1: On your iPhone, download and install the Google Drive app from the App Store. Sign in with your Google account or create a new one if necessary.
Step 2: Open the Google Drive app and tap on the "+" button to upload a file. Select "Upload" and choose the video you want to send from your iPhone’s Photos app.
Step 3: Allow the video to upload to your Google Drive account. Depending on the size of the video and your internet connection, this may take some time.
Step 4: On your Mac, open a web browser and go to drive.google.com. Sign in with the same Google account used on your iPhone.
Step 5: Locate the video file in your Google Drive account and select it. Right-click on the file and choose "Download" to transfer the video to your Mac.
Pros:
1. Easy access to files from any device with an internet connection.
2. Large storage capacity available with various pricing options.
3. Simple sharing options with others via links or permissions.
Cons:
1. Requires a Google account.
2. Transferring large videos can be time-consuming depending on the internet connection.
3. May require additional storage if there isn’t enough available in the free tier.
Method 4: Via Third-Party Apps
If the built-in methods don’t suit your needs, there are various third-party apps available that specialize in file transfers between iPhones and Macs. One such app is Documents by Readdle. Here’s how you can use this app to send a large video from your iPhone to a Mac:
Step 1: On your iPhone, download and install the Documents app from the App Store.
Step 2: Launch the Documents app and tap on the bottom-right corner to access the web browser. Go to wetransfer.com or any other file transfer website of your choice.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to upload the video from your iPhone to the file transfer website.
Step 4: Once the video is uploaded, the website will provide a download link. Copy the link to your clipboard.
Step 5: On your Mac, open a web browser and paste the download link. This will initiate the download and transfer the video from the website to your Mac.
Pros:
1. Provides additional flexibility and options beyond built-in methods.
2. Can handle larger file sizes and offer more control over the transfer process.
3. Useful for specialized file transfers or specific requirements.
Cons:
1. Requires the installation of additional apps or software.
2. Transfer speed and reliability may vary depending on third-party app and internet connection.
3. May come with limitations or premium features that require purchase.
Why Can’t I Send A Large Video?
There can be several reasons why you might encounter difficulties when trying to send a large video from your iPhone to a Mac. Here are a few common reasons and their respective fixes:
1. The file size exceeds email or messaging app limits: Email providers and messaging apps often impose limitations on file size attachments. To overcome this, you can use methods like AirDrop, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or third-party apps mentioned above.
2. Slow internet connection: If you have a slow internet connection, transferring large video files can be time-consuming. Consider using a faster Wi-Fi or a different transfer method to speed up the process.
3. Insufficient storage space: If you don’t have enough available storage space on your iPhone or Mac, you won’t be able to transfer large video files. Free up storage space by deleting unnecessary files or transferring existing files to external storage devices.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips to enhance your experience when sending large videos from your iPhone to a Mac:
1. Compress the video: If you’re not concerned about preserving the original quality, you can use video compression apps to reduce the file size before transferring it to your Mac. This will speed up the transfer process and save storage space.
2. Use a wired connection: If you prefer a direct and fast connection between your iPhone and Mac, you can use a USB cable and transfer the video manually. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using the cable, open the Photos app on your Mac, and import the video.
3. Consider alternatives: Apart from the methods mentioned in this blog post, there are other file transfer tools available, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or FTP (File Transfer Protocol) clients. Explore these options to find the one that suits your needs.
5 FAQs about Sending Large Videos from iPhone to Mac
Q1: Can I send large videos from my iPhone to a Windows computer?
A: Yes, you can use methods like Google Drive or third-party apps to send large videos from an iPhone to a Windows computer. The instructions may vary slightly, but the overall process remains similar.
Q2: How long does it take to send a large video using AirDrop?
A: The transfer speed of AirDrop depends on various factors, such as file size, signal strength, and device compatibility. Generally, AirDrop transfers large videos within a few minutes, but it can take longer for very large files or if there are issues with the network.
Q3: Can I send multiple large videos simultaneously?
A: Yes, all the methods mentioned in this blog post support sending multiple large videos simultaneously. However, keep in mind that the transfer time may increase depending on the size and number of videos.
Q4: Are there any file format restrictions when using iCloud Drive?
A: iCloud Drive supports a wide range of file formats, including popular video formats such as MOV, MP4, and AVI. However, it’s always recommended to check the supported file formats to ensure compatibility.
Q5: Are there any limitations on file size when using Google Drive?
A: Google Drive offers different storage plans, and the file size limit depends on the type of plan you have. The maximum file size for free Google Drive users is 15GB, but premium plans allow larger file sizes.
In Conclusion
Sending large videos from an iPhone to a Mac may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right methods and techniques, it becomes a seamless process. In this blog post, we explored various methods, including AirDrop, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, and third-party apps, that can help you transfer large videos efficiently. Additionally, we discussed common issues and provided helpful tips to enhance your experience. Now you can easily share those special moments or transfer videos for work or editing purposes.