The client wants to know if it's possible to avoid duplicating images in WPML and have both languages use the same image URLs by default, particularly concerning featured images and thumbnails.

If you\'re looking to display the same image across different language versions of your site, you should enable the "duplicate" option in WPML\'s Translation Editor under \'Media attachments\' and \'Featured image\'. However, it\'s important to understand that enabling this option does not duplicate the image files themselves, only their meta information. This means that no additional storage is used for duplicated media. For more details, you can visit <a href="https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/media-translation/">WPML\'s guide on media translation</a>. If you prefer to display different images for different languages, please follow the instructions here: <a href="https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/media-translation/#how-to-display-different-media-per-language">How to display different media per language</a>. Please note that this solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case. We highly recommend checking related known issues at <a href="https://wpml.org/known-issues/">https://wpml.org/known-issues/</a>, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If the issue persists, we encourage you to open a new support ticket for personalized assistance.

Media setup

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

This topic is split from https://wpml.org/forums/topic/almost-all-pages-posts-remain-stuck-in-translation-progress-and-never-finish/

Tagged: Documentation request

This topic contains 1 reply, has 0 voices.

Last updated by iliasP-6 7 months, 2 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Otto.

Author	Posts
May 12, 2025 at 1:38 pm #17023236
iliasP-6	Regarding all current and future images: When we want to create or update a post or page, in the "Edit Page" section, under the WPML Translation Editor, there are two options: • Media attachments: Duplicate uploaded media to translations • Featured image: Duplicate featured image to translations Is it possible to avoid duplicating images and instead have both languages use the same image URLs by default through WPML settings? Will this setup work without causing any future issues for the second language (Ukrainian), especially concerning featured images and thumbnails? Is this an easy configuration in WPML settings?
May 12, 2025 at 3:04 pm #17023744
Otto WPML Supporter since 09/2015 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires (GMT-03:00)	Hello, If you want to display the same image in both languages, you have to use the "duplicate" option. But take into account that the images files are not duplicated: 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. https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/media-translation/ Is there any other reason why you want to avoid this option? If you want to display different images per language: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/media-translation/#how-to-display-different-media-per-language Best Regards, Otto
May 17, 2025 at 5:01 am #17043859
iliasP-6	Thank you, Otto, for your help and support. Our experience with your assistance on so many issues has been more than amazing. We truly appreciate that you have spent so much time providing solutions for our difficult and custom requests. We are at a loss for words—your support has been incredible! --- All my Best. Elias Prevenas: IT team leader for SATAweb.com LTD.