A preview helps people check the file
It can show that the right document, photo, song, or video is in the transfer.
You can turn it off
Disable preview when the content should not appear in a browser. This does not replace a password or other access rules.
Example preview choicesOpen the right file
- Portrait.jpgIdentify a supported image before saving
- Interview.mp4Playback depends on the browser and codec
- Readme.pdfUse the original download when needed
A clear name tells the next person what to open.
Preview or download
Choose the view that suits the job
| Task | Best starting point |
|---|---|
| Identify an image or clip | A supported browser preview. |
| Keep the original | Download the file to your device. |
| Check final quality or edit | Open the original in the appropriate app. |
| Preview will not play | Try the original in software that supports its format. |
Some files will not preview
Archives, specialist project files, and some video codecs still need to be downloaded and opened in the right app.
Why a video can download but refuse to play
The file extension is only part of the story. Video and audio codecs, the browser, and the device all matter. A missing preview does not necessarily mean the uploaded original is broken. Try downloading it and opening it in software that supports the format.
Check the original for important work
For print, video finishing, or archiving, use the downloaded original for your final check. A browser preview may handle color, sound, or document layout differently from a specialist application. Ask the recipient to confirm the actual file opens correctly.
Useful detail
Choose previews for the intended audience
Preview is a convenience, not a security boundary
The same transfer password, expiry, payment, and download rules still control access. A preview does not make an unsupported file safe, prove that its contents are trustworthy, or replace opening the original in software you trust.
Previewing is not editing together
A preview is for viewing. It does not make a design project or document into a shared editing session. If the recipient needs to change the work, they need the original files, suitable software, and any required fonts or linked assets.
Turn it on for the right audience
A preview can reveal the contents, so review the recipient page with the access settings you intend to use. Disabling preview is a viewing preference, not a replacement for a password or payment control. Share only material the audience should receive.
Questions
Questions people ask
Does preview change my original?
No. The original file stays available for download.
Why is there no preview?
The format may not be supported, the browser may not support its codec, or the sender may have turned previews off.
Does a preview mean the file is safe?
No. Treat files from unknown senders cautiously and use the security tools appropriate for your device and workflow.
Try TransferSize
Choose files →Send a file without entering a card.