Email & messages
Attach a photo to an email
Photos are a lovely way to share a moment. When you attach a photo, you only send a copy. The real photo stays safe on your device. You can send the same photo as many times as you like.
~5 min Always free
Adding a photo to an email is easy once you know where to look. We will do it one small step at a time, together.
Find your device below, then follow those steps. The buttons may look a little different on yours, that is okay.
On an iPhone (built-in Mail app)
- Open the Mail app.
- Tap the button to write a new email.
- It looks like a pencil inside a square, near the bottom.
- In the To box, type your friend's email address.
- Tap once in the big empty space where you write.
- Look just above the keyboard.
- A small row of little pictures appears.
- Tap the photo icon.
- It looks like two small photos or a tiny landscape.
- Tap the photo you want.
- It is now added to your email.
- Wait until you can see the photo in your email.
- Then tap the Send button.
- It is an arrow at the top right.
On an iPhone (Gmail app)
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap the round button with a pencil.
- This starts a new email.
- In the To box, type your friend's email address.
- Look near the top for a small paperclip icon.
- The paperclip means attach.
- Tap the paperclip.
- Tap Photos.
- Tap the photo you want.
- Wait until the photo's name shows in your email.
- Then tap the Send arrow at the top.
On an Android phone (Gmail app)
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap the button to write a new email.
- It may show a plus sign or a pencil.
- In the To box, type your friend's email address.
- Look near the top for a small paperclip icon.
- The paperclip means attach.
- Tap the paperclip.
- A small menu opens.
- Tap a photo choice, like Photos or Gallery.
- Tap the photo you want to send.
- Wait until the photo's name shows in your email.
- Then tap the Send arrow at the top.
On a computer
- Open your email in your web browser, like Gmail.
- Click the button to write a new email.
- It may say Compose or New.
- In the To box, type your friend's email address.
- Look for a small paperclip icon.
- In Gmail it sits near the bottom of the new message.
- The paperclip means attach.
- Click the paperclip.
- A window opens to find your photos.
- Click your photo once.
- Then click Open or Choose.
- Wait until the photo appears in your email.
- Then click the Send button.
Buddy’s tip
Buddy tip: send the photo to yourself first as a practice run. It is free, no one else will see it, and you can check it looks right.
Adding a photo to an email just means attaching a copy.