Large File Upload Guide
Best practices for uploading videos, archives, datasets, and other large files securely.
Large File Size Limits
| Plan | Max File Size |
|---|---|
| All uploads | 2GB max per file |
Optimization Tips
Compression
- Compress video with H.264 codec
- Use RAR or 7-Zip for better compression than ZIP
- Remove unnecessary metadata from files
- Can reduce file size by 20-50%
Upload Strategy
- Upload during off-peak hours (late night/early morning)
- Close other bandwidth-heavy applications
- Use wired connection (faster than WiFi)
- Disable VPN if connected (may slow connection)
- Don't put device to sleep during upload
Network Optimization
- Check your internet speed first (speedtest.net)
- Aim for upload speeds above 5 Mbps for large files
- Connect closer to WiFi router
- Restart your router before uploading
- Contact ISP if speeds are below expected
Upload Time Estimates
Rough estimates based on connection speed:
| File Size | At 5 Mbps | At 10 Mbps | At 50 Mbps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | ~27 min | ~13 min | ~3 min |
| 2GB | ~54 min | ~27 min | ~6 min |
Common Large File Types
Video Files
- Format: MP4 (most compatible)
- Codec: H.264 for best compression
- Bitrate: 5-15 Mbps for HD quality
- Tool: FFmpeg for compression
- Typical size: 1-2GB per hour
Data Backups
- Format: ZIP or 7z for compression
- Tools: 7-Zip, WinRAR, Tar+Gzip
- Split option: Break into smaller chunks if available
- Verification: Include checksums for integrity
Archives & Collections
- Photos: Remove duplicates first
- Code repositories: Use .gitignore to exclude large files
- Databases: Export and compress before sharing
- Virtual machines: Export as single file or separate volumes
Before Uploading
- Check your plan's file size limit
- Test your internet speed
- Compress file if possible
- Remove unnecessary content
- Verify file integrity before upload
- Have stable power connection
- Close other applications
- Disable WiFi sleep mode
During Upload
- Watch the progress indicator
- Don't close the browser tab
- Don't put device to sleep
- Monitor network activity
- Note the upload time for future reference
After Upload
- Verify file uploaded completely
- Test download to confirm integrity
- Check file isn't corrupted
- Share link with recipients
- Provide estimated download time to recipients
Troubleshooting Large Files
Upload Fails Midway
- Check internet stability
- Try at different time
- Use wired connection
- Compress file further
- Split into smaller uploads
Upload is Very Slow
- Upgrade to faster internet
- Compress file more
- Schedule during off-peak hours
- Check for network congestion
File Too Large
- Split file into multiple uploads
- Compress more aggressively
- Remove unused content
Pro Tips
- Keep compressed version for future uploads
- Document upload time for planning
- Schedule large uploads for low-traffic times
- Use multiple uploads if splitting large archive