Key takeaways
- Send files up to 25 MB in groups and direct messages.
- Files are encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256, per-organization keys).
- Group files are part of what team owners and admins can audit and export.
- Files in direct messages are private between the people in that conversation.
- Use search to find a shared document later instead of asking for it again.
Every team has a version of the same story: the signed form went to someone’s personal email, the updated price list sits in a WhatsApp chat nobody can find, and the new hire receives the safety manual from a colleague’s phone. File sharing in C Chat keeps documents where the work conversation already is, with encryption and a company record attached.
What file sharing does in C Chat
You can attach files to any message in a group or a direct message, up to 25 MB per file. Common examples:
- PDFs: work orders, site instructions, safety data sheets, signed forms.
- Spreadsheets: schedules, inventory counts, price lists.
- Documents: procedures, checklists, contracts for review.
- Scans: a photographed receipt or a delivery note.
Images and clips work best as photos and videos, which display inline; spoken explanations fit better as voice notes. Use files for anything that needs to be opened, printed or archived.
How to share files step by step
- Open the group or direct message where the file should go.
- Tap the attachment button and choose the document from your device.
- Write one line saying what it is and what you need (“Updated rota for next week, please confirm by Friday”).
- Send, then use read receipts to see who has opened the conversation.
- If the file is a long-term reference, pin the message so it stays easy to find.
Real scenarios from business teams
Construction projects. The project manager posts the revised drawing PDF in the project group with a note on what changed. Subcontractors in the group get the same version at the same time. More in team chat for construction companies.
Field teams. A technician needs a manual on site; the office sends it in the job’s group instead of emailing a personal address. See field team communication.
Remote teams. Office staff exchange drafts and spreadsheets with colleagues working from home without mixing personal inboxes. The setup is described in secure messaging for remote teams.
Incident follow-up. After an incident, the supervisor attaches the completed report to the same thread where it started, so the whole story is in one place. See incident reporting by chat.
Privacy, permissions and limits
Files are protected the same way as messages: TLS in transit and AES-256 encryption at rest with a key for your organization. The full picture of how attachments are handled is in how photos, files and voice notes are protected.
C Chat uses auditable encryption, which matters for documents:
| Where the file is sent | Who can access it |
|---|---|
| Team group | Group members; team owners and admins can audit and export it |
| Direct message | Only the people in that conversation |
The C Chat platform accesses content only to moderate reported messages or for legal requirements, and that access is logged.
Limits and good sense:
- 25 MB per attachment.
- Anyone in a conversation can download and forward what they receive; encryption protects the file on the way and in storage, not from a recipient.
- For guidance on sensitive documents, read exchanging documents securely in chat.
Tips for admins
- Create a “documents” group for reference files if your main groups move fast.
- Name files clearly before sending: “2026-11 rota v2.pdf” beats “scan001.pdf”.
- Review group membership before posting contracts or personal data; guests may be inside.
- Remove people who leave the team so they no longer see its groups and files.
Getting started
Create your team at getcchat.com/c and share your first document in a group. C Chat is free for now, with 25 MB per attachment and the other limits listed on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the file size limit in C Chat?
Each attachment can be up to 25 MB. That covers most PDFs, spreadsheets, forms and scanned documents. For larger files, compress or split them before sending.
Is sharing files in C Chat secure?
Files are protected with TLS while they travel and encrypted at rest with AES-256 using a per-organization key. C Chat uses auditable encryption rather than end-to-end encryption, so team owners and admins can audit and export group content, while direct messages stay private.
Can guests or clients download files from a group?
Anyone who is a member of a group can see what is shared in it, including guests you invite. Before sending a sensitive document, check who is in the group or send it in a direct message instead.
Should I send passwords or bank details as files in chat?
Avoid it when you can. Even in an encrypted chat, anyone in the conversation can read and forward the file. Share only what the recipient needs, and follow your company's policy for highly sensitive data.