Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

WordPress: How to Download an Image Instead of Displaying

WordPress is a popular content management system used by millions of websites worldwide. One of the essential features of WordPress is the ability to upload and display images on web pages. However, some circumstances may arise when you want to download an image instead of displaying it.

This article aims to provide a step-by-step guide on how to download an image instead of displaying it in WordPress.

Method 1: Using a Third-Party Plugin

WordPress has several plugins that can enable you to download images instead of displaying them on your website. These plugins are easy to install and use, and they allow you to customize the download settings to suit your needs.

One of the most popular WordPress plugins for downloading images is the Download Manager plugin. To use this plugin, follow these steps:

1. Install and activate the Download Manager plugin on your WordPress website.
2. Go to the media library and select the image you want to download.
3. Click on the "Download" button, and the plugin will retrieve the image and offer it as a download.

Method 2: Changing the Image Link

Another way to download an image instead of displaying it in WordPress is by changing the image link. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to the media library and select the image you want to download.
2. Click on the "Edit" button.
3. A popup window will appear. In the "URL" field, change the link to the download link. For example, if the image link is https://www.example.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/image.jpg, change it to https://www.example.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/image.jpg?download=true.
4. Click on the "Update" button to save the changes.

Method 3: Using HTML

Finally, you can download an image by using HTML to create a link to the image. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to the post or page where you want to add the download link.
2. In the visual editor, click on the "Text" tab to access the HTML editor.
3. Type the following code: <a href="URL" download>Link Text</a> Replace "URL" with the image URL and "Link Text" with the text you want to display as the link.
4. Save your changes and preview your page to test the link.

In conclusion, downloading an image instead of displaying it in WordPress is a quick and straightforward process. Whether you choose to use a plugin, change the image link, or use HTML, make sure to test your download link thoroughly to ensure it works correctly.