Send files
Drop a file into a one-on-one conversation, or use the + button. Received files can be downloaded for 24 hours only.
Applies to Web · Mac · iPhone app · one-on-one Messenger conversations only
Sending a file is for “grab this now”. Instead of attaching something to a note for the long term, you pass a file along in Messenger. Sent files are actually deleted from the server after 24 hours. For files you want to keep and work on together, attach them to a note instead (Attach images and files).
Before you start
- You can send files only in one-on-one conversations in Messenger. Team conversations and channels have no file button.
- The recipient must be someone you work with — on the same team, sharing a note or notebook with you, or someone you’ve already messaged.
Send a file
- Open Messenger in the top bar and pick the person under Personal.
- Click + (Send a file now) to the left of the message field and choose a file. You can select several at once. You can also drag files onto the message area; while dragging you’ll see “Drop to send — deleted automatically after a day”.
- While uploading, Sending file and a progress bar appear. Multiple files upload one after another.
When the upload finishes, a message like “📎 file name (size) — deleted automatically after a day” appears in the conversation, and the recipient’s bubble says “File · available to download for 24 hours”. They download it with the button in the bubble. In the Mac and iPhone apps, the button opens your system browser to download it there (the download link is valid for 5 minutes). After 24 hours it changes to “File · download period expired” and Expired, and it can’t be downloaded any more.
Limits
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| One file | 200 MB |
| How long it’s kept | 24 hours, then the file is deleted from the server |
| Your sent files not yet deleted | 400 MB and 50 files in total |
| Uploads at a time | One file |
| Empty (0-byte) files | Can’t be sent |
If a file won’t send
- “You can keep up to 400MB of your sent files in transit”: even a file under 200 MB is blocked if, together with your sent files that haven’t been deleted yet, it would go over 400 MB. Once earlier files are removed a day after sending, you can send again.
- “Too many files are in transit”: you have 50 sent files that haven’t been deleted yet, or the server-wide file count is full. This also clears itself within a day.
- “Another file is being sent”: wait for the previous file to finish, then try again.
- “Too many files are in transit right now”: the server’s shared transfer space is full. It’s cleared automatically within a day.
- “You can only send this to someone you work with”: you’re not on a team together and don’t share any notes. Files also can’t be sent if either of you has blocked the other.