# How to send 7Z files

7Z (7-Zip archive) files are often too big for email and chat apps. Here is how big they get and how to send them exactly as they are.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-7z-files · Updated 2026-10-13_

**Quick answer:** To send a large 7Z file, upload it to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB, no account) and share the download link: the file arrives unchanged. A typical 7Z archive is about 800 MB, more than most email providers accept.

## What is a 7Z file?

7Z is the native format of 7-Zip, the free, open-source archiver. It uses LZMA and LZMA2 compression, which often packs text, code, databases and software builds noticeably tighter than ZIP. It also supports AES-256 encryption of the archive and its file names.

The high compression takes more time and memory, and it does little for files that are already compressed, such as video, JPEGs and MP3s. 7Z is common for software distribution, backups and game mods.

Extensions: .7z.

## How big are 7Z files?

| File | Typical size |
| --- | --- |
| A software build or source code archive | roughly 50 MB to 2 GB |
| A database dump compressed with 7Z | often a small fraction of the original |
| A backup of mixed documents and photos | roughly 1 to 20 GB |

## Which apps can send one?

Can you send a typical 7Z archive (about 800 MB) as an attachment?

| App | Limit | Fits? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gmail | 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| Outlook.com | 20 to 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Telegram | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | 100 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Discord (free) | 20 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Slack | 1 GB per file | Yes |
| WeTransfer (free) | 3 GB per transfer | Yes |
| **Share Large Video Files** | 20 GB per transfer | Send the link anywhere |

Limits from our [file size limits by app](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-size-limits-by-app) table, checked against each service's help pages.

## How to send 7Z files without changing them

1. Open [Share Large Video Files](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/) in any browser and choose **Get a link** (or **Send by email**).
2. Drop 7Z files on the upload box, or pick a whole folder. Up to 20 GB and 1000 files per transfer.
3. Optional: add a password, a download limit or an expiry under More options.
4. Copy the link (or show the QR code) and send it by chat or email. The recipient downloads the original file, byte for byte.

## Tips for sending 7Z files

- Use 7Z for text-heavy data, logs and databases, where it beats ZIP clearly.
- For photos and video, use ZIP with no compression instead; 7Z will only add time.
- Tick "Encrypt file names" when password-protecting, so the contents list stays private.
- Tell Mac and iPhone users which app to use, since 7Z is not built into Apple's tools.

## How to open a 7Z file

**Windows:** 7-Zip (free), and File Explorer in recent Windows 11 versions. **Mac:** Keka or The Unarchiver. **iPhone:** the Files app cannot open 7Z, but third-party archive apps can. **Android:** ZArchiver and similar apps.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is 7Z smaller than ZIP?

Often, for text, code and databases. For photos, videos and music, the difference is tiny because those files are already compressed.

### How do I open a 7Z file on a Mac?

Install a free app such as Keka or The Unarchiver. macOS does not open 7Z by default.

### Is a password-protected 7Z file secure?

7Z uses AES-256 encryption, so with a long, unique password it is strong. Share the password through a different channel from the link.