How to Attach Files to iPhone Emails

The context menu in iOS Mail helps you add attachments and photos

What to Know

  • For photos, in body of email, tap and hold to attach file > tap arrow on right side > Insert Photo or Video > locate photo > tap Choose.
  • To attach other files, in the body of email, long-press and select Add Attachment > select document.

This article explains how to attach files to iPhone emails. Instructions apply to iOS 12. The procedure is similar for iOS 11 and iOS 10.

Attach Photos or Videos in Mail

While there's no obvious button for it, you can attach photos and videos to emails from within the Mail app. This procedure only works for photos and videos. To attach other file types, check out the next set of instructions. But if attaching a photo or video is all you need to do, follow these steps: 

  1. Open the email you want to attach the photo or video to — an email you're replying to or forwarding, or a new email.

  2. In the body of the message, tap and hold the place where you want to attach the file.

  3. Tap the arrow on the right side of the Copy/Paste menu, then tap Insert Photo or Video.

  4. In the Photos app, select the photo you want to insert, then tap it to preview it. Tap Choose to select it.

  5. The photo inserts into the message as an inline image, not as an attachment.

    Insert Photo of Video on the New Message screen, Choose, and final email message with inline photo
     Lifewire

If you can't send and receive email on your iPhone, find out what to do when your iPhone email is not working to solve the problem.

Attach Other Kinds of Files or From Other Apps

Use the Add Attachment pop-up option to add other kinds of files:

  1. In the body of the email, long-press and select Add Attachment.

  2. Select the document to attach. By default, the Recents view of your iCloud drive displays.

    Add Attachment on the New Message screen and files in iOS Mail
     Lifewire
  3. When you select the attachment, it's added to the message. Repeat the procedure to add additional attachments.

Use the Sharing Menu

Most apps include a sharing option that bypasses the need to create a new email and add an attachment to it. For example, if you're working on a Microsoft Word document, share the document as an attachment. That procedure (which differs by app) bundles the open document into the body of an iOS Mail message.

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