For: everyone
You can send any kind of file in a room or direct message: PDFs, spreadsheets, photos, videos. In encrypted chats, files are encrypted too.
Send a file
In the browser / on the computer
- Open the chat.
- Click Attachment (the paperclip icon) next to the message box.
- Choose the file and confirm.
You can also drag a file from your computer into the chat window, or paste a picture with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on a Mac).
On the phone (Element X)
- Open the chat.
- Tap the + button next to the message box.
- Choose Photo & Video Library, Camera or Attachment (for other files).
- Select the file and send it.
Find files you shared
- In the browser: open Room info and choose Files.
- On the phone: tap the room name at the top, then Media and files.
Limits to know about
- Maximum file size: 50 MB per file. If a file is bigger, Element shows a message such as "This file is too large to upload". Compress the file, split it, or share it through another storage service.
- Media is kept for 365 days. Images, videos and files are removed from the server one year after they were sent. Your text messages stay. So keep a copy of important files somewhere else too, for example in your company's file storage.
Good to know
- Files count towards your plan's storage. The account owner can see the usage on the dashboard under Storage Usage.
- The AI assistant can read files you send it (PDF, Word, text, CSV and more). See Use the AI assistant.