WeTransfer expiration dates have been a big problem for users, especially creative people. The problem is that if you don't download the file the moment you receive the link or email, you'll forget to download it before the link expires. At that point, you'll have to ask for the link to be resent, which can be quite a hassle for both parties.
The company is aware of the issue and is now apparently trying to mitigate it by allowing recipients to change the file expiration date in the mobile app through a new “Save Now” option, but this isn't a complete solution.
On Tuesday, WeTransfer made a confusing announcement about its X accounts, saying that users could extend the expiration date by up to 30 days in its mobile app, and also claiming that “WeTransfer links will no longer expire.” However, the company later clarified that the number of days the expiration date can be extended depends on the plan. If users don't use the save option, the link may also expire.
Users weren't very impressed with WeTransfer's message because it gave them the impression that it would completely eliminate link expiration, but that's not actually the case – they still have to take action to stop the link from expiring.
To prevent links from expiring, users can now save sent links to a separate folder on WeTransfer's mobile apps using a “Save Now” feature that resembles a bookmark icon.
This feature is useful if you don't have time to download a file right away, but want to access it later without going through your email inbox.
In our testing, we found that free accounts can extend link expiration dates on the app for up to seven days; by default, it's three days from the time of link creation. We've asked WeTransfer to clarify the date extension limit for paid plans and will update the article if we hear back.
Italy-based Bending Spoons acquired WeTransfer last month, adding the app to its app portfolio that includes other established apps like Evernote and Meetup. At the time of the announcement, WeTransfer CEO Alexander Vassilev said the file-transfer platform had gained 600,000 subscribers and 80 million monthly active users over the past decade of development.