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Adding product media

You can add a maximum of 250 images, 3D models, or videos to a product. 3D models and videos have specific hosting limits based on your Shopify plan. You can also directly scan and build a 3D model directly within the Shopify mobile app on compatible iOS devices with the 3D scanner feature.

The first media item for each product is known as the featured, or main, media item. The main media item is displayed on collection pages, the cart page, the checkout page, and your home page. You can change your main media item any time.

On this page

Add media to your products

Desktop

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the product that you want to edit.

  3. In the Media section, add an image, 3D model, or video in one of the following ways:

    • Click Upload new, and then select the file that you want to upload.
    • Drag and drop the file that you want to upload into the Media section.
    • Click Select existing to review and select from your existing media files.
    • To Add from URL, click Select existing, and then click Add from URL.
Mobile
  1. From the Shopify app, tap the Products icon .
  2. Tap the product that you want to edit.
  3. In the Media section, tap +.
  4. Add your media using one of the following ways:
    • To add media from existing media files, tap Media files.
    • To add a media from your device's photos, tap the image icon.
    • To take a photo or video using your device's camera, tap Camera.
    • To add a video that's hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, tap YouTube or Vimeo URL.
    • To add an image from your device's files, tap Files app.
    • To scan a new 3D model of your product (iOS only), tap 3D scanner.
  5. Tap Save or ✓.

Change your main product media

Desktop

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the product that you want to edit.

  3. In the Media section, navigate to the media that you want to make your default media, and then drag and drop the image to the first image's place.

Mobile
  1. From the Shopify app, tap the Products icon .
  2. Tap the product that you want to edit.
  3. In the Media section, tap View all.
  4. Tap Select, and then select the image that you want to make your default product image.
  5. Tap Horizontal menu, and then tap Set as default.
  6. Tap Save or ✓.

If you need to copy a link to your product media to share it online or make it available for download from a product or collection description, webpage, or a blog post, then you can copy the link to an individual media file. Learn more about linking to a file in page content.

Desktop

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Content > Files.

  2. Click the Copy link icon next to the product media that you want to share.

Mobile

  1. From the Shopify app, tap the Menu icon.

  2. In the Content menu, tap the arrow down icon, and then tap Files.

  3. Tap the Copy link icon next to the product media that you want to share.

Deleting your media

You can delete your media individually or in bulk.

Delete media individually

Removing a file from a product won't remove it from your store. In order to delete media from your store, you have to delete it in the file manager in Content > Files in the admin.

Desktop

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the product that you want to edit.

  3. In the Media section, hover over the media that you want to delete and check the checkbox.

  4. Click Remove.

Mobile
  1. From the Shopify app, tap the Products icon .
  2. Tap the product that you want to edit.
  3. In the Media section, tap View all.
  4. Tap Select.
  5. Tap the media that you want to delete.
  6. Tap Delete.

Delete media in bulk

If any of the selected files are being used elsewhere in your store, then the files are removed only from the product that you're editing. In order to delete media from your store, you have to delete it in the file manager in Content > Files in the admin.

Desktop

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the product that you want to edit.

  3. In the Media section, select the media that you want to delete using the checkboxes.

  4. Click Delete files.

  5. Click Remove.

Mobile
  1. From the Shopify app, tap the Products icon .
  2. Tap the product that you want to edit.
  3. In the Media section, tap View all.
  4. Tap Select, and then select the media that you want to delete.
  5. Tap Delete.
  6. Tap Done.

Replace files

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Content > Files.

  2. Click the Replace icon next to the file name.

  3. Select the file that you want to upload.

Edit files without overwriting the existing file

In the file editor, it's possible to make destructive edits to an image, such as changing the background of an image. To make changes without overwriting an existing file, save the changes as new.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Content > Files.

  2. Select a media file to open the file editor.

  3. Make file edits.

  4. From the Save dropdown menu, select Save as new.

Saving as new saves the new file to your store's file system and preserves the original image in its original state.

File storage limits by plan

The amount of storage that you have available for uploaded files varies depending on your Shopify subscription plan.

Review the following table to learn more about file storage limits.

Storage limits for each type of Shopify subscription plan, for the files that you have in your Shopify admin.
PlanLimit per store
Starter100 GB
Pause and Build100 GB
Retail100 GB
Basic and Shopify Partner development stores100 GB
Grow300 GB
Advanced500 GB
Plus and Shopify Partner Plus sandbox stores1 TB
Enterprise10 TB

Paid storage increases

If you want to purchase additional file storage space for your organization, then the organization owner can contact Shopify Support to request an incremental storage increase.

The requested increase increments are added to one production store, and up to two development stores. All three of the included shops receive their own increase. The increment isn't split between them. Increases must be added in the available increments. Fractional paid increases aren't available.

Available paid storage increases for each type of Shopify subscription plan, for the files that you have in your Shopify admin.
PlanPricing Increment
Plus$100 USD/month per 1 TB
Enterprise$1,000 USD/month per 10 TB

Videos and 3D models

You need to do one of the following to display 3D models or videos in your online store:

Video and 3D model limits by plan

The amount of both videos and 3D models that you have available to upload varies depending on your Shopify subscription plan.

Review the following table to learn more about video and 3D model limits.

Video and 3D model upload limits for each type of Shopify subscription plan.
PlanLimit per store
Starter250
Pause and Build250
Retail250
Basic and Shopify Partner development stores250
Grow1,000
Advanced5,000
Plus and Shopify Partner Plus sandbox stores50,000
Enterprise100,000

Video storage limits by plan

The amount of storage that you have available for uploaded videos varies depending on your Shopify subscription plan.

Review the following table to learn more about video storage limits.

Video storage limits for each type of Shopify subscription plan.
PlanLimit per store
Starter50 GB
Pause and Build50 GB
Retail50 GB
Basic and Shopify Partner development stores50 GB
Shopify Partner Plus sandbox stores60 GB
Grow500 GB
Advanced500 GB
Plus2 TB
Enterprise10 TB

Adding product media by using metafields

If you want to customize the way that product media are displayed in your online store, then you can use metafields to create a file reference metafield for your products. File reference metafields support uploading images to display your products, or all other file types for your customers to download. You can display JPEG, PNG, WEBP, SVG, HEIC, or GIF images in metafields on your online store. A metafield can contain only one file at a time.

If you have a compatible theme, then you can connect file reference metafields to your theme by using the theme editor. If you're using vintage themes, then you can edit your theme code or hire a Shopify Partner to help you.

Reverting edits to product images

If you want to revert a change you made to your images using the media editor, whether you no longer need a prior crop, resize, or even Shopify Magic edits, then you can revert an image file to its original state using the Revert to original button.

Video upload requirements

When adding videos from YouTube or Vimeo using Add from URL, videos must meet specific requirements for visibility and URL format.

Video privacy settings

Videos must have permissions that allow them to be accessed publicly or embedded on external websites. Videos that are set to private or have restricted viewing permissions can't be added to your Shopify admin:

Supported URL formats

Use the following URL formats when adding videos from URL:

  • YouTube: Use the standard video URL format https://youtube.com/watch?v=[video-id]. YouTube Shorts URLs (https://youtube.com/shorts/[video-id]) aren't currently supported, but you can convert them by changing the URL to the standard format.
  • Vimeo: Use the direct video URL format https://vimeo.com/[video-id]. If you have a Vimeo account with custom URL features, then use the direct video URL instead of your custom vanity URL.

Manage bulk product media

If you have many media files on a product, then you can use the Manage media view to search, rearrange, and bulk delete media from the product details page of your Shopify admin.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the product that you want to edit.

  3. In the Media section, click the Manage media icon.

  4. Do any of the following actions:

    • Search media: Search for a specific file by name, extension, or description.
    • Rearrange media: Drag and drop media to reorder them. The first media item is used as your product's featured image.
    • Delete media in bulk: To bulk delete media, do the following actions:
    1. Select the media files you want to remove.
    2. Click Delete.

Troubleshoot a failed media upload

When you add media, the file is read, converted to the formats that your online store needs, and then stored. An upload can fail at any of those stages, and the error in your Shopify admin tells you which stage failed.

Before you troubleshoot a specific error, review the following checks:

  • Confirm that your file meets the media requirements for its media type. Images, videos, and 3D models each have their own file size, resolution, length, and format requirements.
  • Confirm that the file extension matches the file's actual format. A file that was renamed by hand, such as a .mov file renamed to .mp4, doesn't match its format.
  • Open the product's Media section and check whether the file is already there. An upload can complete even when a banner reports that it failed.
  • Try the same file on a different product, and a different file on the same product. This tells you whether the problem is with the file or with the product.
Troubleshoot "Processing error"

A Processing error means that your file reached Shopify but couldn't be converted. This is usually caused by how the file was encoded or exported, not by its size or format. For example, a video's duration can be written in a format that the media service doesn't expect, so the video fails on its duration even though the video is short enough.

Related errors include The uploaded image is corrupt and cannot be processed. Please try a different image. and Aspect ratio must be between 100:1 and 1:100.

Re-export or re-encode the file in a widely used format, and then upload it again. If many files are affected, then change the export settings in the software that created them.

Troubleshoot an SVG file that fails with a processing error

SVG images are supported, but every SVG file is treated as an image. An SVG font file is assessed as an image, is read as corrupt, and fails with a Processing error. SVG fonts can't be added through Content > Files.

To change the fonts in your online store, use your theme's typography settings. The fonts offered there come from your theme, so a font that you supply yourself isn't displayed in the font picker. To use your own font, hire a Shopify Partner to add it to your theme code.

Troubleshoot a video that uploads as a generic file

If a video uploads without a thumbnail, doesn't play in Files, and isn't displayed in the Select file dialog when you add media to a product, then the file extension doesn't match the file's actual format. This happens when an extension is changed by hand, such as renaming a .mov file to .mp4.

Restore the file's real extension and upload it again. To check the real format, download the file and open its file information on your computer.

Troubleshoot an upload that stays in the uploading or processing state

A banner such as Uploading 1 remaining can remain in Content > Files after the upload finishes. The banner clears on its own.

Check the product's Media section first. If your file is there, then the upload succeeded and no action is needed.

Troubleshoot "Error updating collection with this image"

The error There are errors with this collection: Error updating collection with this image. means that the collection image wasn't accepted. Review the following causes:

  • The image exceeds the resolution limit. A collection image has the same 25 megapixel limit as a product image. Resize the image and upload it again.

  • The image is a WebP file. Collection images don't support WebP, even though products and Files do. Use a different format for a collection image.

Troubleshoot "You can only add up to 250 media per product"

The error This file couldn't be added: You can only add up to 250 media per product. means that the product is full. This limit can't be raised.

Delete media that the product no longer needs, or split the product's media across more than one product.

Troubleshoot "There is a limit of 200 files per upload"

The error Files failed. There is a limit of 200 files per upload. Try again with fewer than 200 files. applies to a single upload on the Files page, not to your store's total. Upload the files in batches of fewer than 200 files. This limit can't be raised.

Troubleshoot the video and 3D model limit for your plan

The error Files failed. Your plan does not permit more than [number] videos and 3D models. To add more, upgrade your plan. means that your store has reached its plan's allowance. Refer to Video and 3D model limits by plan.

This limit is sometimes enforced before your store reaches the number displayed in the error. Count the videos and 3D models on your store first. If your count is below your plan's allowance, then contact Shopify Support before you upgrade your plan.

Troubleshoot the weekly video upload limit

Your store can upload a maximum of 1,000 videos in a week. When you reach it, the error You can't upload more than 1,000 videos in a week. To add more, try again in 7 days. is displayed. The limit resets weekly and can't be raised.

Troubleshoot "There was an issue uploading the media. Try again later."

The errors There was an issue uploading the media. Try again later. and Files failed. Check your network and try again. aren't encoding errors. For a video that you upload directly, either message means that your store has reached its video storage limit or its weekly video upload limit.

Troubleshoot "You've reached the file storage limit for your plan"

The errors Media upload failed. Adding this file will exceed the file storage limit for your plan. and Files failed. You've reached the file storage limit for your plan. mean that your store has reached the total storage that your plan allows. Refer to File storage limits by plan.

Before you delete anything, review the following information:

  • The storage total can be reported higher than the storage that your store actually uses. If your store holds little media, or you haven't deleted much recently, then contact Shopify Support before you delete files.

  • Deleting a video is permanent. A deleted video can't be recovered.

  • Removing a file from a product doesn't free storage. The file remains on your store until you delete it in Content > Files.

Troubleshoot media that fails when you add it from a URL

Add from URL handles two different kinds of URL. To embed a YouTube or Vimeo video, use the video's page URL and check the supported URL formats.

For any other media, the URL needs to point at the file itself. A sharing link from a cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, opens a preview page rather than the file, so the upload fails with an error such as Media processing failed, Invalid URL, or File extension doesn't match the format of the file.

A file URL also fails when the URL isn't publicly accessible, the URL contains unsupported special characters, the file type isn't a supported type, or the site that hosts the file blocks requests from Shopify. In these cases, download the file to your computer, and then upload it to your Shopify admin.

Troubleshoot images that are missing after a product CSV import

A product CSV import can finish successfully and still skip images in the Image Src or Variant Image columns. The import result doesn't report the skipped images.

Review your products after an import that includes images, and confirm that each product has the media that you expect. Learn more about adding multiple product images in a CSV file.

Troubleshoot a replaced image that still displays the old version

When you replace a file, the new file is given a version token in its URL, such as ?v=1712345678. Shopify-rendered pages request the new URL the next time they load, so the new file is displayed. An address that's written by hand into your theme code, a product description, a marketing email, or an external site isn't re-rendered, so it continues to point at the old version.

Reference the file through Shopify instead of writing the address by hand:

  • In a product description or a blog post, add the media with the media uploader rather than pasting an <img> tag.
  • In theme code, use the file_url, image_url, and asset_url Liquid filters.
  • In an app or an external integration, request the file's current address each time rather than storing it.

On a Shopify-rendered page, refresh the page and check whether the version token changed. If the token didn't change, then the replacement didn't save, so replace the file again.

If your upload still fails, then contact Shopify Support. To help resolve your issue faster, have the following information ready:

  • Error message: the exact text of the error, or a screenshot of it
  • File details: the file's name, format, size, and, for a video, its length
  • Where you uploaded: the product, the collection, or the Files page, and whether you uploaded from your computer, from a URL, or in a CSV file
  • What you tried: which checks on this page you completed, and their results