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How to Translate Media with WPML

Amir
Updated
January 14, 2025

Learn how to translate media meta information and display different media in each language.

How to Translate Media Meta Information

WPML can translate media meta information for images, videos, and PDFs. This includes alt, caption, description, and title.

To translate any of these texts, simply send the content with your media for translation via WPML → Translation Management.

Sending a page with an image for translation
Sending a page with an image for translation

WPML will translate your meta information along with the rest of your content, displaying it with clear labels in the Advanced Translation Editor.

Translating image meta information in the Advanced Translation Editor
Translating image meta information in the Advanced Translation Editor

If WPML isn’t translating some of your meta information, go to WPML → Settings, scroll to the Media Translation section, and enable the Translate media library texts with posts option.

All your meta texts should now be translatable and will appear in the Advanced Translation Editor when sending media for translation.

How to Display Different Media per Language

WPML can display different media in each language, helping you personalize your visual content for different readers. This includes images, videos, and PDFs. 

To display different media per language, start by installing the WPML Media Translation add-on.

WPML Media Translation

Once activated, follow the steps below to display different media in each language: 

  1. Go to WPML → Translation Management and send the content with your media for translation. 
  2. Next, go to WPML → Media Translation and click the pencil icon under the language you want to use a different media for. 
  3. Upload your new media, adjust your meta information, and save. 
Replacing media in Media Translation
Replacing media in Media Translation

Your content will now display different media in each language. 

Recipe in English
Recipe in English
Recipe in French
Recipe in French

If your media doesn’t update on the front-end, click Scan & Replace in the notice that appears after uploading your media in the Media Translation screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stop WPML from duplicating media I upload across all languages?

To stop WPML from duplicating media you upload across all languages, go to WPML → Settings, scroll down to the Media Translation section, and disable the following options:

– When uploading media to the Media Library, make it available in all languages
– Duplicate media attachments for translations

Disabling duplicate media settings
Disabling duplicate media settings

Keep in mind that updating these settings will only affect new content you publish. Any existing content will continue having the previous settings.

Does duplicated media in other languages use storage?

No, duplicated media in other languages doesn’t use storage. This happens because WPML doesn’t duplicate the media files themselves – just the meta information.

Can I display different media in each language with ACF?

Yes, you can display different media in each language with ACF. See our ACF tutorial to learn how to do this.