Send large files on Signal beyond its 100 MB limit
Signal keeps your conversation private. It does not support files of unlimited size. Attachments stop at about 100 MB. The 240 MB of reports, attachments, and audio exceed that limit. Splitting the attachment also splits up the report. We do not reassemble the parts.
| Method | 240 MB report |
|---|---|
| Signal attachment | Stops at about 100 MB |
| Split into parts | Parts are not reassembled |
| Link without a password | Anyone who sees it can download |
| Can we read your Signal chat? | No |
| Password-protected link | File is not compressed and stays available for up to 90 days |
The example above contains a report, an attachment package, an audio file, a cover image, and a note.
An encrypted chat does not mean an encrypted file
Messages in Signal are protected by Signal’s encryption. The link you add to a message is also inside that conversation. The file the link opens is on a separate page. Signal’s encryption does not cover that file. Stating this clearly is more accurate than saying it is “as private as Signal.”
| Signal conversation | Download | |
|---|---|---|
| What is sent | The link | The file itself |
| Who can see it | People in the chat | Anyone with the link and password |
| What we do | We do not access the chat | We do not open or read the file |
| Password | Keep it out of the same chat bubble | The link has its own password |
| Duration | A disappearing message deletes the text | The file stays available for up to 90 days |
Do not put the password in the same message. Send the password separately from the link.
Disappearing messages do not delete the file
When a Signal message disappears, it is deleted from the chat. The download page is not tied to that message. The file is kept for the period you select. Because this example is under 250 MB, the files stay available for up to 90 days. SendGB Extra can keep them longer. Annual pricing starts at €29.90.
| Event | Effect on the file |
|---|---|
| Message disappears | The link leaves the chat; the file remains |
| Retention period ends | The free link expires |
| Password is sent separately | Seeing the link alone does not grant access |
| Download starts | You receive one notification if you provided an email address |
| Report is read | Not verified |
WhatsApp’s compression is covered in the guide to sending files on WhatsApp. For the report itself, see the guide to sending PDFs.
Signal’s attachment limit is 100 MB; our free transfer limit is 5 GB
240 MB will not fit in a Signal attachment. It fits in a free transfer. No sign-up is required.
| Total | Signal attachment | SendGB |
|---|---|---|
| 20 MB note | Can be sent | A link works too |
| 240 MB example | Cannot be sent | Free, with a password |
| 2 GB | Cannot be sent | Free |
| Over 5 GB | Cannot be sent | SendGB Extra or SendGB Exceed |
| Can SendGB read your chat? | No | No |
Do not attach the file in Signal. Send the link. Send the password separately from the link.
How to send
- 1
Add the report
Add the file that exceeds Signal’s attachment limit to the upload area. You can send 240 MB for free. Add a password.
- 2
Paste the link into Signal
Paste the link into the chat. Do not send the file as an attachment. Do not put the password in the same message. Send the password in a separate conversation or over the phone.
- 3
The recipient downloads
The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an account. The link stays available for up to 90 days. The file is not compressed.
What happens to your file?
- Reports and audio files are not compressed.
- We do not read your Signal conversation.
- The file is not stored inside the chat bubble.
- If you provided your email address, you receive one notification when the download starts.
What we don’t do
- We do not apply Signal’s encryption to the file. The file is downloaded from a separate address.
- We do not raise Signal’s 100 MB limit.
- Anyone who sees a link without a password can download the file.
- A download notification does not mean the report has been read.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Signal attachment size limit?
Attachments stop at about 100 MB. A 120 MB report exceeds that limit. Signal may change the limit. Do not try to send a file that exceeds the attachment limit.
Does the file travel inside Signal’s encrypted chat?
No. The link you paste into the chat is inside Signal’s encrypted conversation. The file itself is on the download page. Signal’s encryption does not cover that file. Protect the link with a password, and do not put the password in the same message.
Can you see my chat?
No. We do not access your Signal conversation. We do not read the message. You are the one who pastes the link there.
Why should I send the password separately?
If the link and password are in the same place, anyone who sees both can open the file. Send the password in another conversation or over the phone. If the file has its own password, do not confuse it with the link’s password.
Does the recipient need to use Signal?
The recipient does not have to receive the link through Signal. They can download the file in a browser. The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an account. You can share the link through Signal.
Can I open PDFs and audio files?
PDFs can be opened. Large PDFs may slow down the browser. ZIP files cannot be opened. A short preview of the audio file may be available on the page. The downloaded file is the original. We do not read the report.
Doesn’t WhatsApp send larger files?
WhatsApp can send documents up to about 2 GB, but it compresses photos and videos. Signal’s attachment size limit is much lower. With either app, the file itself is delivered through the link. Protecting the link with a password is even more important on Signal.
Is sending 240 MB free?
Yes. No sign-up is required for up to 5 GB. Because this example is under 250 MB, the files stay available for up to 90 days. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Signal’s 100 MB limit does not determine this period.
Will I get a download notification?
Yes, if you provided your email address. With email delivery, you are notified once per recipient. With link delivery, you are notified once per transfer. This notification does not confirm that the report has been read. Signal does not show this notification in the chat.
Do Signal’s disappearing messages delete the file too?
A disappearing message in Signal is deleted from the chat. The file on the download page is not tied to that message. The file is kept for as long as the link is valid. Because this example is under 250 MB, the files stay available for up to 90 days. Deleting the link from the chat does not immediately delete the file stored with us.
Send the download link, not a Signal attachment
The 240 MB of files in the example exceed Signal’s attachment limit. You can send them by link without signing up and send the password separately.
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