Yes, you can share a whole folder. The trick is to zip it first. Zipping wraps every file and subfolder into a single archive, which you then upload like any other file. It's free, needs no account, and the folder's structure stays exactly as it was.

Uploading a raw folder isn't possible on its own, since shares work with files. But a zip is a file, so one archive can carry an entire folder tree. When the other person unzips it, they get your folders and files laid out just the way you had them.

Why zip a folder

Zipping does three helpful things at once:

  • Keeps structure. Subfolders, file names, and order all stay intact.
  • Bundles into one file. A folder of 40 items becomes a single .zip, which counts as one file toward your limit.
  • Often shrinks the size. Compression can trim the total, helping you stay under 200 MB.

Because your zip is delivered byte-for-byte unchanged, it unpacks perfectly on the other end. Nothing inside gets altered or re-encoded.

Good to know: A zipped folder counts as just one file toward your 10-file limit, so folder count is rarely the problem - Total size is what to watch, since the whole archive must fit under 200 MB.

How to zip on any device

The steps are quick no matter what you're using.

Windows

  1. Right-click the folder you want to send.
  2. Choose Send to, then Compressed (zipped) folder.
  3. A .zip appears next to the original. That's your file to upload.

Mac

  1. Right-click (or Control-click) the folder.
  2. Choose Compress "FolderName".
  3. A .zip lands in the same spot, ready to share.

Phone (iPhone or Android)

  1. iPhone: open the Files app, long-press the folder, and tap Compress.
  2. Android: use the Files app or a free zip app, select the folder, and choose Compress or Zip.
  3. Upload the new .zip from your browser.

For a fuller walkthrough with screenshots of each path, see how to send a folder or zip online.

Check the limits before uploading

Your zipped folder still follows the same two rules as any share.

Rule Value
Files per share Up to 10
Total size per share Up to 200 MB
Folder structure Preserved inside the zip

Since a zip counts as one file, folder count is rarely an issue. Size is the one to watch. If your archive tops 200 MB, you have a couple of options:

Our guide on how to compress files before sharing covers ways to bring a heavy folder under the line.

After you upload

Once your zip is up, you get a short link and a QR code to pass along. The person on the other end downloads the archive and unzips it to find your original folder tree, untouched.

You can add protection too. Turn on a password so only the right people open it, or switch on delete-after-first-download for a one-time handoff. Expiry runs from 1 hour to 7 days, defaults to 24 hours, and renews for another 24 hours each time someone downloads, so an active share stays live while it's in use.

Zipping a folder often ties into a larger transfer, so how to send large files online is a good next read. Wondering how a zip counts against your batch? How many files can I share at once explains the 10-file rule. And if your archive is bumping the ceiling, how large can my files be walks through the 200 MB total. Quick note: shareit.onl is a browser tool and is not affiliated with the SHAREit app.