External image files in the Media Library

Install and activate EXMAGE to use image files hosted at external URLs without saving those files to your website server. EXMAGE creates Media Library attachment entries with attachment IDs, and an icon distinguishes external attachments from regular ones. Select them wherever WordPress or WooCommerce accepts Media Library images.

Add one URL or several

To add one image URL, open the Media Library and use the Upload files tab. To add multiple image URLs, use the area below the file upload section on the Upload New Media page. URL processing can return the supplied URL, an additional message, a success or error status, an attachment ID, and an edit link when a new attachment is added or an existing one is found.

Supported image uses

• Post featured images.
• WooCommerce product featured images and gallery images.
• Variation images.
• Product category images.
• Other locations that accept images selected from the WordPress Media Library.

URL requirements and plugin dependency

Use real image URLs with a correct image MIME type. EXMAGE does not support image URLs from hosting services such as Flickr, Imgur, or Photobucket, or URLs from file storage services such as Google Drive. External attachments added by EXMAGE stop working if the plugin is inactive, so keep it active wherever the website relies on them.

ALD integration

When EXMAGE and the ALD plugin are both active, the ALD settings include a Use external links for images option under Products. Enable it to use original AliExpress image URLs for imported products' featured images, galleries, and variation images instead of saving those images to your server.

Select an attachment

After adding valid external image URLs through the Media Library or Upload New Media page, choose the resulting attachment wherever a featured image, gallery image, variation image, or product category image is supported.