Do you want to send an email with an entire folder attached instead of individual files? If that’s the case, you’ll need to first convert your folder into a ZIP file because email services don’t allow you to attach folders to emails. Here’s what you should do.
On the desktop, you can attach a folder to an email.
A ZIP file is simple to create on most desktop computers. Check out our guides on how to compress your folder into a ZIP folder on Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac, and Linux, depending on which desktop you prefer.
To create a ZIP file, for example, on Windows, right-click your folder and select Send To > Compressed (Zipped) Folder.
Similarly, on a Mac, right-click your folder and select “Compress” from the menu that appears. Your ZIP file will then be located in the same folder as the original folder.
To send your ZIP file via email, attach it as you would any other file.
If you’re using Gmail, for example, click “Compose” to create a new email. Click “Attach Files” at the bottom of the “New Message” window and attach your newly created ZIP file.
To create a new email in Outlook, click “New Email.” At the top, click the “Insert” tab, then select Attach File > Browse This PC. Find the newly created ZIP file on your computer and attach it to your new email.
Fill in the remaining fields in your email and press the send button to send the email along with your folder (which is now in a ZIP format).
On Android, you can attach a folder to an email.
On most Android devices, you can use the built-in file manager app to create a ZIP file from a folder.
Begin by launching your file manager and navigating to the folder you wish to send via email. Hold down the folder, then tap the three dots in the top-right corner and select “Compress.”
You now have a ZIP file in your current directory that contains your folder.
Open your email app, compose a new email, and tap the attach button to send this ZIP file. If you use Gmail, for example, tap the attach icon and then select “Attach File” on the new email screen. Then, choose the newly created ZIP file.
Similarly, in Outlook, tap the attach icon and select “Choose From Files” on the new email screen. Then choose your ZIP file.
Fill in the remaining email fields and press Send to send your email along with your folder.
Add a Folder to an Email on the iPhone or iPad
- On iPhone and iPad, you can use the built-in Files app to ZIP your folder and send it via email, just like on Android.
- To begin, launch the Files app on your phone. Find the folder you want to send, tap and hold it, and then select “Compress.”
- Tap the share icon in the lower-left corner after selecting the newly created ZIP file.
- Select the email app you want to use to send your folder from the share menu.
Your email app will launch a new email screen with your chosen ZIP file attached. Complete the remaining fields in the email and click Send to send your folder (as a ZIP file) to your recipient. Attaching a folder to an email can serve several useful purposes. When sharing files with clients or stakeholders, sending a well-organized folder can create a more professional and organized impression. It is not uncommon to use this technique not only in personalized mailings but also in mass mailings. For example, you can extract email addresses of potentially interested customers using a handy tool, and then send a mass mailing to these contacts by attaching a folder with files, for example, with a presentation of your products or services. Thus, a folder attached to an email will carry more information than a standard mailing list email with attached files.