How to use WeTransfer in 2026: the step-by-step guide

What you need to know before using WeTransfer

WeTransfer works directly from a web browser, no installation needed. A few things to check before your first send:

Send a file with WeTransfer in 2026

Method 1: Get a download link

This is the simplest and fastest method. You get a link to copy-paste into an email, message, or any conversation. No verification code required.

1. Go to wetransfer.com
2. Click the “+” button on the left side of the screen
3. Select your files (or drag and drop them into the designated area)
   • Maximum 3 GB on the free version
   • Multiple files possible in the same transfer
4. Click “⋯” then “Get a link”
5. Copy the generated link once the upload is complete

Good to know: the link remains valid for 3 days on the free version. Remember to notify your recipient quickly so they have time to download.

Method 2: Send directly by email

With this method, WeTransfer sends an email to the recipient on your behalf, containing the download link. Convenient if you want to do everything from the interface, but a verification code will be required.

1. Add your files as in the previous method
2. Fill in the form fields:
   • “Send to”: the recipient’s email address
   • “Your email”: your email address
   • “Message”: optional, a short text accompanying the send
3. Click “Transfer”
4. Enter the verification code received in your mailbox (sender: noreply@wetransfer.com)
5. Your recipient receives an email with the download link

Warning: code verification is mandatory with this method. If the code doesn’t arrive, check your spam folder.

Receive and download a WeTransfer file

Someone sent you a file via WeTransfer? The download process depends on what you received: a direct link or a notification email.

Case A: You received a link

The link looks like we.tl/abc123 or wetransfer.com/downloads/... — it was shared by message, email, or chat.

1. Click on the link you received (it opens in your browser)
2. Click the “Download” button on the WeTransfer page
3. Choose where to save the file on your device

Case B: You received a WeTransfer email

The email comes from noreply@wetransfer.com and contains a download button.

1. Open the email sent by WeTransfer
2. Click the “Download your files” button
3. You’re redirected to the WeTransfer download page

Available options on WeTransfer

Beyond basic sending, WeTransfer offers some options to customize and secure your transfers. Some require an account or a paid subscription.

Password protection

The password restricts download access. On WeTransfer, this option is available but requires creating a user account (even a free one). No account, no password.

1. Log in to your WeTransfer account
2. When making a transfer, click the padlock icon
3. Set a password
4. Share it separately with your recipient (by phone, SMS, etc.)

Download notification

If you provided your email address when sending, WeTransfer sends you an email notification as soon as your recipient downloads the files. Useful to confirm receipt of an important send.

Customization (paid plans)

WeTransfer Ultimate or Teams subscribers can customize the appearance of their transfers:

• Custom background (image or video)
• Dedicated subdomain (yourname.wetransfer.com)
• Your company logo on the download page

Common WeTransfer issues and solutions

Having trouble on WeTransfer? Here are the most common situations and how to fix them.

“The file is too large”

This message appears when the total weight of your transfer exceeds 3 GB (free plan). Several solutions:

• Compress your files to ZIP or 7z to reduce the overall size
• Split the send into multiple separate transfers if possible
• Use TransferNow, which accepts up to 5 GB per transfer for free

Upload stops in the middle

A failing upload is often related to internet connection or browser issues. Try these solutions:

• Switch to a wired connection (Ethernet) if you’re on Wi-Fi — stability makes a difference on large files
• Temporarily disable your ad blocker (uBlock, AdBlock), which can interfere with uploads
• Try another recent browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge)

Verification code not arriving

Check your spam or junk folder (the sender is noreply@wetransfer.com). If the code still doesn’t arrive after a few minutes, use the link method instead (method 1 above), which doesn’t require email verification.

“You’ve reached your limit”

WeTransfer free imposes a quota of 10 transfers or 3 GB combined over 30 days. Once the limit is reached, you must wait until the next month, upgrade to a paid plan, or use TransferNow, which has no monthly limit.

They used WeTransfer, now they use TransferNow

Source: Trustpilot — reviews verified as of February 9, 2026

Beyond the tutorial, user experience makes the difference. Here’s feedback from those who tested both services daily. As of July 30, 2026, WeTransfer has more than 900 reviews on Trustpilot with an average rating of about 3/5, while TransferNow has 20k+ reviews across Trustpilot and Google with an average rating of 4.9/5.