How to use media_upload_default_tab filter in WordPress

Welcome to our detailed guide on the media_upload_default_tab filter in WordPress. As an Indian developer, I know how crucial it is to understand the nuances of these hooks. Let’s dive right in!

media_upload_default_tab filter

This filter modifies the default tab in the legacy (pre-3.5.0) media popup.

To utilize the media_upload_default_tab filter, you first need to register it using add_filter. You can add this code to the functions.php of your active theme or in a custom WordPress Plugin.

Here at WePlugins, we always recommend creating a custom WordPress Plugin for such hooks to ensure nothing breaks when you update your WordPress Theme in the future.

In the live examples below, we’ve defined a function weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_tab_defaults which takes one parameter, and we’ve registered it using add_filter. The first parameter is the name of the hook, the second parameter is the function to be called, the third parameter is the priority of calling the hook if the same hook is used multiple times, and the last parameter is the number of arguments (if any) to be passed to the registered function.

Sometimes, you may need to remove a registered hook, and for that, you can use remove_filter to remove the media_upload_default_tab filter.

Parameters

• $tab : (string) The default media popup tab. Default ‘type’ (From Computer).

Live Example

Example 1: Basic Usage

Below is an example of how you can use this hook.

function weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_tab_defaults($tab) { 
    // Update the $tab variable according to your website requirements and return this variable.
    // You can modify the $tab variable conditionally too if you want.
    return $tab; 
}
// Add the filter
add_filter("media_upload_default_tab", "weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_tab_defaults", 10, 1);

Example 2: Conditional Modification

This example shows how to conditionally change the default media tab based on certain conditions.

function weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_tab_conditional($tab) { 
    if (is_admin()) {
        $tab = 'gallery'; // Set default tab to 'gallery' if in admin area
    }
    return $tab; 
}
// Add the filter
add_filter("media_upload_default_tab", "weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_tab_conditional", 10, 1);

Example 3: Removing the Hook

To remove a hook callback, use the example below.

remove_filter("media_upload_default_tab", "weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_tab_defaults", 10, 1);

Please make sure to provide the same callback function name, priority, and number of arguments while removing the hook callback.

If you’re having any trouble using this hook, please contact our WordPress Development Team, and we’d be happy to assist you.