Files, images and audio in chat
In encrypted conversations you can attach files from your device or from Files. Images and video appear right there in the conversation, documents are shared as a link to the original, and voice messages you receive play in the chat.
Attach a file
Three ways:
- Click File (Attach a file) next to the message field and choose Upload from device or From Meil Files
- Drag files into the conversation — you'll see “Drop files to attach”
- Paste an image or a file from the clipboard into the conversation
The panel shows where the attachment will land: Direct chat with the person's name, or Group chat with the room name. Attachments are listed with their size and the type Copy or Original in Meil Files. Remove an attachment with ×, and click Send attachments (count) when you're ready.
If sending fails, you'll see “Could not send. Your file is kept here; try again.” The attachment stays in the panel.
Limits
| Limit | |
|---|---|
| Attachments at a time | 5 |
| Images, video and other files | 2 GB per file |
| Documents | No separate limit; they use your Files storage |
| Empty files | Can't be sent |
Encrypted conversations only
Attachments require the conversation to be end-to-end encrypted. In a Standard room the options in the attachment panel are switched off, with the text “Attachments are unavailable in this conversation right now. An encrypted conversation is required.” See Encryption.
Attachments are encrypted in your browser before they are uploaded. Files over 100 MB need temporary browser storage; if you're told as much, free some space and try again in a regular browser window.
Copy or original
What gets sent depends on the type of file:
Images, video and other attachments are sent as copies. The copy is encrypted on your device and can only be opened by the participants in the conversation. Pick such a file From Meil Files and a copy of it is made.
Documents are shared as a link to the original in Files. The participants get read access to the original; no copy is made. The panel shows Shared with: and the names of the people who get access. The details sit under Access and storage:
- Existing access is kept.
- The owner manages access in Files, including when someone joins or leaves the chat. See Sharing and permissions.
- Documents you pick from your device are stored in Files and use your normal storage.
- Only the owner of the file can share the original with more people.
If the participant list changes while the panel is open, you have to click Refresh participants before you send. If the file already has a public link, change the sharing in Files first. If a file with the same name already exists in Files, either pick the original from there or give the new file a different name.
Receiving attachments
Attachments aren't fetched until you ask for them:
| Attachment | Button | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Image (PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, AVIF) | Show image | The image appears in the conversation |
| Video (MP4, WebM, OGG, QuickTime) | Show video | The video plays in the conversation |
| Other file | Download file | The file is downloaded to your device |
| Document | Open original | The original opens in Files |
Once an image or a video has been fetched, you can also click Download.
A document shared with you may show Accept sharing the first time; click it to accept the read access. If the share has been withdrawn or the file deleted, you'll see “You do not have access. Sharing may have been revoked or the file deleted.” The document preview is shown only for as long as you have access.
Voice messages
A voice message you receive comes with a Play voice message button. The clip is fetched and decrypted when you click it, and plays with the usual playback controls. Only one audio clip or video plays at a time.
Recording your own voice messages (Record audio) is in beta and isn't available to everyone yet.
Large files by email?
If you're sending something big to someone who doesn't use chat, upload it to Files and use From Files in the compose window. See Upload and share files.