Apple is introducing a new feature that will allow users to easily transfer large attachments using their iPhone devices. With the iOS 9.2 update, Apple's Mail app will support Mail Drop, a feature which was first introduced on Mac computers running the OS X Yosemite operating system.
With Mail Drop, users are allowed to send email attachments of up to 5GB in size through iCloud as the temporary way station, according to Forbes. Just like its OS X version, users are not required to initiate the sending process. Instead, Mail Drop will automatically offer the option once users attempt to send an email with large attachments.
When users tap Send an email using the Mail app and iOS detects that there is a large attachment, the app will give users the option to use Mail Drop and will prompt the user to send it to iCloud. The recipient is then given 30 days to retrieve the files uploaded into iCloud.
Apple did not specify the minimum file size of an attachment for it to be treated with the Mail Drop feature. However, a test performed by CNet shows that fit should be around 20MB. The test also reveal that files that are below 20MB will be treated as a normal attachment and will not prompt the Mail Drop feature.
The recipient of an email with an attachment sent through Mail Drop will receive a download link from iCloud. The email will also show when the file was uploaded and also the expiration date since files will only stay on iCloud for 30 days.