By default, there is no way to replace images or any other media files directly from the Media Files in WordPress.
If you decide to change an image in a WordPress post, you will first delete the image and then re-upload the new image. But since the new image will have a new URL, you will have to manually update all the links leading to the previous image.
Thankfully, we tried and came across a plugin called ‘Easy Media Replace’ that keeps the image ID and URL of the updated image intact.
Note: Before you proceed, bear in mind to name the new image the same as the old one. Other websites that mention links to your images will only be changed when you keep the old and the new file names the same.
Now, let’s see how the Easy Media Replace plugin makes replacing images in WordPress a matter of a few clicks.
How to Replace Images in WordPress Using the “Easy Media Replace” Plugin?
With this plugin, it becomes effortless to replace any media files, including images, audios, GIFs, and videos, without the need to delete and then re-upload them.
The image ID and URL remains unchanged even after replacement, making the process fast and straightforward.
Below are the step by step instructions to replace images using the plugin.
Step 1: Go to your ‘admin panel’ and click on ‘Plugins’ → ‘Add New’
Step 2: In the search bar, type ‘Easy Media Replace.’
Step 3: Click the ‘Install’ icon.
Step 4: Click on ‘Activate’ to start using the plugin.
Step 5: Again, go to your WordPress admin sidebar and scroll down to ‘Media’ → ‘Library.’
The list of all the media files in your WordPress library opens.
Step 6: Scroll down to the image you want to replace, and in the options below it, click on ‘Replace.’
We are replacing the image named as ‘Setting of writing’ in our example.
Step 7: To upload a new file, you can either ‘Drag and Drop’ the image file in the ‘Drop file here’ option or open your gallery on PC through ‘Select file.’
Step 8: After selecting the new image, tick on ‘Regenerate thumbnails’ and ‘Update the modified time’ and then press the ‘Replace’ button on the bottom right.
Bonus Plugin to Replace Images in WordPress Without Deleting Them
There is another plugin that makes replacing images in WordPress very simple.
You don’t have to delete the present attachment to upload another one. You can also replace the image by simply putting in the URL of the new image instead of uploading it.
We tried it and were impressed by its performance.
This plugin is called “Easy Replace Image.”
How to Replace Images in WordPress Using the ‘Easy Replace Image’ Plugin?
The usage of this plugin slightly differs from the previous plugin mentioned.
Below is a brief guide on how you can easily replace your image.
Step 1: Install and activate the plugin “Easy Replace Image.”
Step 2: In your Dashboard menu, scroll down to ‘Media’ and then click on ‘Library.’
Step 3: Once the library of images open, go to the options below the picture you want to replace.
Click on ‘Edit’ to open the Edit Media page. You will NOT find the ‘Replace’ option here as you saw in the last plugin, so don’t get confused.
In our example, we want to replace this image named ‘justified paragraph look’.
There are two ways to replace the image; ‘Upload Image’ and ‘Get from URL.’ According to your convenience, choose an option.
Follow this step if you choose the ‘Upload’ option.
Step 4: Click on ‘Select a file’ and select the file location where the new image you want to insert is saved.
Step 5: Once you select your image file, click on ‘UPLOAD.’
Step 6: Save the image changes by clicking on ‘UPDATE’ on the right side of the page.
Follow the step below if you want to download the ‘new image’ instead of uploading it.
- In the edit media page, choose the option ‘Get from URL’ — ‘Enter URL.’
- After entering the URL, click on ‘Download’ — ‘Update.’
And you are done!
That’s all you need to do to replace one or more than one image in a post or even in multiple posts without opening the posts and then tracking down the image to delete it.
These two plugins mentioned above work really well and make the process fast and straightforward.
Did you find this guide helpful? Were you able to replace images in WordPress using any of these plugins?
Let us know in the comment section below.
there is also a plugin called WXY Tools Media Replace that is easier to use and works anywhere you can upload an attachment. It also preserves any alternate text, descriptions, or categories for attachments. Hope this is helpful.