Sharing files with someone in another country sounds like it should be straightforward in 2025. In many cases, it is. But if you have ever tried to send files to family in China, collaborate with colleagues in the Middle East, or share documents with someone in a country with limited internet infrastructure, you know that what works at home does not always work abroad.

This guide covers the practical realities of international file sharing, including what platforms work where, how to handle slow connections, and which solutions give you the best chance of success regardless of where your recipient is located.

Why International File Sharing Gets Complicated

Several factors can make sharing files across borders more difficult than sharing locally:

Platform availability varies by country. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and even WhatsApp are blocked or restricted in some regions. China is the most notable example, but other countries have their own restrictions.

Internet speeds differ dramatically. What takes seconds to download in South Korea or Singapore might take hours in parts of Africa, South America, or rural regions of many countries. Large files become impractical when the recipient has limited bandwidth.

Regional preferences matter. People in different countries often prefer different apps and services. Asking someone to download an unfamiliar app just to receive your file creates friction and may not even be possible.

Time zones complicate coordination. When you send a file that requires immediate action or expires quickly, you need to account for the fact that your recipient might be asleep.

What Works Where: A Regional Breakdown

North America, Europe, and Australia

Most popular file sharing services work without restrictions in these regions. Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, and similar cloud services are widely accessible. Email attachments work fine for smaller files. WhatsApp and Telegram are common messaging options that include file sharing features.

The main consideration here is usually just file size and the recipient’s preferences rather than access restrictions.

China

China presents the biggest challenge for international file sharing. Google services (Drive, Gmail, Photos) are blocked. Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud have reliability issues. WhatsApp and Telegram are blocked.

What works in China:

• WeChat is the dominant messaging and file sharing platform. If you are regularly sharing files with someone in China, creating a WeChat account is practically essential. You can send files up to 200MB directly in chats.
• Baidu Pan (Baidu Cloud) is China’s equivalent to Google Drive. It works well for larger files but requires a Chinese phone number to register, making it impractical for most foreign users.
• Email still works if you are sending to someone with a Chinese email provider like QQ Mail or 163.com. Avoid Gmail addresses.
• Web-based download links that do not require logging into blocked services can work, though access can be inconsistent depending on network conditions.

For occasional file sharing with China, WeChat is your most reliable option. For regular collaboration, consider having your Chinese contact share files via Baidu Pan with you, since they can access both that service and most Western platforms.

Middle East and North Africa

VoIP and messaging apps face restrictions in several countries in this region. UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states block or restrict WhatsApp calling features, though file sharing through the app often still works.

Generally reliable options:

• Email with attachments or cloud links
• WhatsApp for file sharing (voice and video may be blocked)
• Telegram (works in most countries, blocked in Iran)
• Standard cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox

Russia

Following recent restrictions, some Western services have limited functionality in Russia. However, Telegram is extremely popular and fully functional, Google Drive remains accessible, and email works normally.

Other Regions

In most of Asia (outside China), South America, and Africa, the major international platforms work without restrictions. The bigger consideration is often internet speed and data costs rather than access.

Handling Slow Internet Connections

When your recipient has limited bandwidth, large files become a problem regardless of which platform you use. A few strategies help:

Compress before sending. Video files especially can often be compressed significantly without noticeable quality loss. Tools like HandBrake for video or built-in compression for photos can reduce file sizes by 50-90%.

Split large files. If you must send a very large file, splitting it into smaller parts means the recipient can download in stages without losing progress if their connection drops.

Use platforms that handle resumable downloads. Some services handle interrupted downloads better than others. Direct cloud storage links often allow resuming, while some file sharing services require starting over.

Avoid expiring links when possible. If a file will take a day or more to download, a link that expires in 24 hours becomes useless.

Universal Solutions That Work Almost Anywhere

Some approaches work in virtually any situation:

Email remains universal. Despite its limitations for large files (typically 25MB or less), email works almost everywhere and requires no app installation. For smaller documents, it remains the most reliable option.

Web-based download links. Services that generate simple download links requiring only a web browser work more universally than those requiring app installation or account creation. The recipient clicks a link, the file downloads. This approach works in China, works on restricted networks, and works on any device with a browser.

Messaging apps the recipient already uses. Rather than asking someone to install a new app, use what they already have. In China, that means WeChat. In Russia, Telegram. In most of the world, WhatsApp. The file sharing features built into these apps handle most everyday needs.

iCloud for Apple users. If both you and your recipient use Apple devices, iCloud links work reliably in most countries and the experience is seamless.

Stash works well for international sharing because it generates simple web download links that work in any browser without requiring account creation. The recipient just clicks and downloads, which means it works regardless of what apps they have installed or what services are blocked in their region.

Practical Tips for Regular International Sharing

If you frequently share files with people in other countries, a few habits make life easier:

Know your recipient’s situation. Ask what apps they use and whether they have any access restrictions before sending files via a platform that might not work for them.

Have backup options ready. If your first choice does not work, quickly switching to an alternative saves time.

Consider file size from the start. When creating content you know will be shared internationally, keep file sizes reasonable. Shoot video at lower resolution if 4K is not necessary.

Test with something small first. If you are unsure whether a platform will work, send a small test file before uploading something large.

For most people, the right combination of platform choice and file preparation handles international file sharing successfully. The key is understanding what works in your recipient’s specific situation rather than assuming your preferred method will work everywhere.