# getFile

Source: https://core.telegram.org/bots/api#getfile

[Documentation index](../llms.txt)

Use this method to get basic information about a file and prepare it for downloading. For the moment, bots can download files of up to 20MB in size. On success, a [File](file.md) object is returned. The file can then be downloaded via the link `https://api.telegram.org/file/bot<token>/<file_path>`, where `<file_path>` is taken from the response. It is guaranteed that the link will be valid for at least 1 hour. When the link expires, a new one can be requested by calling [getFile](getfile.md) again.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| file\_id | String | Yes | File identifier to get information about |

**Note:** This function may not preserve the original file name and MIME type. You should save the file's MIME type and name (if available) when the File object is received.