# 	secure file transfer without email

> Transfer files securely without using email. Send documents up to 10GB with encrypted links, download tracking, and automatic expiry.

Canonical: https://goodsign.io/goodsendkb/secure-file-transfer-without-email
Source: GoodSign — pay-per-document electronic signatures (https://goodsign.io)

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# Secure File Transfer Without Email

## Overview

GoodSend offers a secure way to transfer files without relying on traditional email attachments. This approach provides enhanced security, larger file size support, and better tracking capabilities compared to standard email transfers.

## Why Avoid Email Attachments?

Email attachments have several limitations:

| Email Attachments | GoodSend Secure Transfer |
|-------------------|--------------------------|
| Size limits (typically 10-25MB) | Up to 10GB total file size |
| Limited security | End-to-end encryption |
| No tracking capabilities | Full tracking of delivery and downloads |
| Can be blocked by firewalls | Accessible via secure links |
| Email server storage concerns | Files stored securely and expire after 7 days |

## How GoodSend Works Without Email

While GoodSend does use email to notify recipients, the actual file transfer happens outside the email system:

1. You upload files to GoodSend (up to 20 files, 10GB total)
2. GoodSend generates a secure link to these files
3. Recipients receive an email with the secure link (not the files themselves)
4. Files are downloaded directly from GoodSend's secure servers

## Step-by-Step Guide to Secure File Transfer

### For Senders

1. **Visit GoodSend**: Go to [https://goodsign.io/goodsend](https://goodsign.io/goodsend)
2. **Upload Your Files**: 
   - Drag and drop files onto the upload area, or
   - Click to browse and select files
   - You can upload up to 20 files with a combined size of 10GB
3. **Enter Recipient Details**:
   - Add the recipient's name and email address
   - Add an optional message if needed
4. **Complete the Send**:
   - Click "Send Files" to complete the process
   - One credit ($1.50) will be used per send

### For Recipients

1. **Receive Notification**: An email arrives with a secure link (not the actual files)
2. **Access the Files**: Click the secure link in the email
3. **Download**: Download all files or select individual files
4. **Time-Limited Access**: Remember files expire after 7 days

## Security Features

GoodSend protects your files through:

- **Encrypted Storage**: Files are encrypted while stored on GoodSend servers
- **Secure Transfer**: TLS encryption during upload and download
- **Automatic Expiration**: Files are automatically deleted after 7 days
- **Access Controls**: Only intended recipients can access the files

## Tracking and Notifications

Unlike email attachments, GoodSend provides comprehensive tracking:

- **Delivery Confirmation**: Know when the notification email is delivered
- **Open Tracking**: See when recipients open the email notification
- **Download Tracking**: Monitor when files are downloaded
- **Expiration Alerts**: Optional reminders before files expire

## Purchasing Credits

To use GoodSend's secure file transfer:

1. Purchase credits through the secure Stripe payment portal
2. Credits cost $1.50 each (minimum purchase: 10 credits)
3. One credit is used per send (regardless of the number of files)
4. Pay only for what you use - no subscription required

## Troubleshooting

**Recipient can't find the email**:
- Check spam/junk folders
- Verify the email address was entered correctly
- Resend the files if necessary

**Upload failures**:
- Check your internet connection
- Ensure files don't exceed the 10GB total limit
- Try uploading fewer files at once

**Download issues**:
- Ensure the link hasn't expired (7-day limit)
- Check internet connection and firewall settings
- Try a different browser if experiencing difficulties

## Quick Tips

- **Save on multiple files**: Bundle multiple files in a single send to use just one credit
- **Track important transfers**: Use the tracking feature to follow up with recipients who haven't downloaded files
- **Plan for expiration**: Remind recipients that links expire after 7 days
- **Secure sensitive content**: Use GoodSend instead of email when sending confidential information
- **Optimize large transfers**: For very large files, compress them before uploading to speed up the process
- **Business advantage**: Purchase credits in advance for your team to use as needed without subscription costs