Share a link vs. send by email - which should you use?

Every transfer on iShared.app produces a share link the moment it finishes uploading - that part isn't optional, and it isn't a separate feature to turn on. What's optional is whether you also hand us a recipient's email address and let us deliver that link for you, or copy the link yourself and send it however you'd like. Both use the exact same underlying transfer; the only difference is delivery.

When a link on its own makes sense

• You're pasting it into a conversation that's already happening - a support ticket, a Slack message, a group chat.
• The recipient isn't a single fixed person - you're posting it somewhere multiple people will see it.
• You want to control the wording around it yourself instead of using a generic notification email.

Copy the link from the confirmation screen and send it however suits the situation - it works the same either way, since it's not tied to a specific delivery method.

When emailing it through us makes sense

• You want the recipient notified automatically, without you having to go paste a link somewhere yourself.
• You're sending to an address you don't have an existing conversation thread with.
• You want the option to add a short message alongside it, without composing a separate email.

Add their address at send time and, optionally, a short message - we handle the notification, and the link inside it behaves identically to a link you'd have copied and sent yourself.

Expiry works the same either way

However the link reaches someone, it expires on the schedule you picked at send time - from 1 day up to a year on paid plans. See how transfer expiry works for the exact ranges per plan.

Neither option requires the recipient to sign up

Whoever opens the link - whether they got it by email or you sent it yourself - downloads the files directly, no iShared.app account needed on their end. An account is only required to send.

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