WPML Media Translation Addon
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About WPML Media Translation Addon
Translating a site and forgetting the images is one of the most common mistakes: the text comes out in French, but the campaign banner still says "Sale" in English, the menu PDF is the same for everyone and every photo's alt text stays in the original language. WPML Media Translation Addon solves the file side of this: it lets you upload a different file per language.
The underlying problem: an image is content too
People who sell or publish in several markets tend to think about translating pages and posts, and leave media for last. But an image with embedded text, a product photo with a visible sale tag or a downloadable PDF is content the visitor reads just like a paragraph. If it isn't localized, the site looks half translated, and that stands out more than a wording error.
What WPML Media Translation Addon does with your files
This add-on adds a Media tab inside WPML → Translations. It lists everything in your media library, with one column per language and three states per cell:
- Globe icon: marks the source language, where the original file lives.
- + icon: there is no version in that language yet; click it to add one.
- Pencil icon: a translation already exists and you can edit the file or its texts.
When you create a translation you upload another file (an image with the text in French, a PDF for another region) and edit the alt text, caption, description and title for that language. It also works for pre-translating the texts of a media item you haven't inserted into any post yet.
What WPML already does without this add-on
Media texts (alt, caption, description and title) travel with the post when you send it for translation and are translated in the Translation Editor, in the same step as the content. That belongs to the main plugin. This add-on only adds uploading different files per language, so if translating texts is enough for you, you don't need it.
What it needs to work
It doesn't work on its own: it requires the main WPML plugin. The Media tab only appears with the add-on active. In addition, the Media content type must be set as translatable in WPML → Settings → Post Types Translation (it is by default); if you set it to not translatable, no media texts will be translated anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Can I translate alt text without this add-on?
Yes. Media texts are translated along with the post from the main plugin. The add-on is for changing the file itself.
Is it only for images?
No. It allows per-language alternatives for images, videos and PDFs, for example a menu, a spec sheet or a white paper.
Do I have to upload a different file in every language?
No. Only for the items that need it, such as a banner with text inside. A photo without text can stay as it is, and you only translate its alt text.
What does the automatic text detection option do?
In WPML → Settings → Media Translation, WPML decides image by image whether to duplicate the source-language text or translate it, to avoid duplicate fields and forgotten translations. It is the recommended option.
Files in the library are handled one at a time
The Media tab works item by item, with one cell per language. If you have hundreds of images, don't localize them all: start with the ones that have embedded text, regional campaign images and downloadable PDFs. The rest is handled with the translated alt text inside each post.
Before activating anything, check that the main WPML plugin is installed and that Media is listed as translatable in the content type settings.
Topics
Version history
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5.2.0 Current 30 Oct 2026
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5.0.0 22 Sep 2026
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3.1.2 12 Jun 2026
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3.1.0 6 Feb 2026
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Frequently asked questions
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GPL (General Public License) is the license under which WordPress and most premium plugins/themes are distributed. It grants you the right to use, modify and redistribute the software in as many projects as you want, with no domain restrictions.
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Yes. With membership you get automatic updates via our GPLClub Updater plugin (installed on your WP, detects new versions and applies them). With individual purchase, you get one year of manual updates from your account.
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Depends on the plan. Monthly: 3 domains. Semi-annual: 7. Annual and Lifetime: 15. Individual purchase: 1 domain.
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GPLClub offers its own support for installation, configuration and compatibility. For direct support from the original author (feature requests, product-specific bugs), a license purchased from the author is required.
