# How to send DNG files

DNG (Digital Negative (Adobe open RAW)) 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-dng-files · Updated 2026-10-13_

**Quick answer:** To send a large DNG file, upload it to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB, no account) and share the download link: the file arrives unchanged. One 48 MP iPhone ProRAW photo is about 75 MB, more than most email providers accept.

## What is a DNG file?

DNG is an open raw image format published by Adobe. Some cameras shoot it natively (Leica, Pentax, Ricoh, many DJI drones), iPhones save **Apple ProRAW** as DNG, and Lightroom can convert other brands' raw files to DNG for archiving.

A DNG's size depends on megapixels, bit depth and whether it is lossless or lossy compressed. ProRAW files are notably large for a phone photo because they keep far more data than a HEIC or JPEG.

Extensions: .dng.

## How big are DNG files?

| File | Typical size |
| --- | --- |
| One 12 MP iPhone ProRAW photo | about 25 MB |
| One 48 MP iPhone ProRAW photo | about 75 MB |
| One 20 MP DJI drone DNG | about 30 to 45 MB |
| One 60 MP Leica DNG | roughly 60 to 120 MB, depending on compression |

## Which apps can send one?

Can you send one 48 MP iPhone ProRAW photo (about 75 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 | Yes |
| 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 DNG 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 DNG 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 DNG files

- On iPhone, share ProRAW from Photos with "All Photos Data" turned on, otherwise it may be sent as a JPEG.
- Drone shoots often include matching JPEGs and videos in the same folder. Send the folder as it is.
- If you converted camera raws to DNG, say whether the original raw files are embedded, as that roughly doubles the size.
- Send a JPEG copy for people who only need to view the images.

## How to open a DNG file

DNG has wide support. **Windows:** Photos (with Raw Image Extension), Lightroom, Photoshop and Capture One. **Mac and iPhone:** Photos and Preview open DNG natively. **Android:** Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed open DNG, and many Android phones save their own RAW as DNG.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is my iPhone ProRAW photo so big?

A 48 MP ProRAW DNG is about 75 MB because it keeps raw sensor data plus Apple's processing information, far more than a 2 to 5 MB HEIC.

### How do I send ProRAW without it turning into a JPEG?

Share the original file, for example by saving it to Files first or using "All Photos Data" in the share options, then upload it for a link.

### Is DNG the same as a camera's own raw format?

It holds the same kind of data in an open, documented format. Converting to DNG is lossless unless you choose lossy DNG compression.