How to use media_upload_default_type filter in WordPress

media_upload_default_type filter

Filters the default media upload type in the legacy (pre-3.5.0) media popup.

To use `media_upload_default_type` filter, first you have to register it using `add_filter`. You can write this code into `functions.php` of your activated theme or in a custom WordPress Plugin.

We at WePlugins always prefer to create a custom WordPress Plugin while using hooks so nothing breaks when you update your WordPress Theme in the future.

In the below live example, we have defined a function `weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults` which takes 1 parameter and we registered using `add_filter`. The first parameter `media_upload_default_type` is the name of the hook, the second parameter `weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults` is the name of the function which needs 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 in the registered function.

Sometimes, you have to remove a registered hook so you can use `remove_filter` to remove `media_upload_default_type` filter.

Parameters

Below the 1 parameter is required to use this hook.

• $type : (string) The default media upload type. Possible values include ‘image’, ‘audio’, ‘video’, ‘file’, etc. Default ‘file’.

Live Example

apply_filters( 'media_upload_default_type', string $type )

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

Example 1: Modify Default Media Upload Type to Image

This example shows how to change the default media upload type to ‘image’.

    function weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults($type) {
        $type = 'image';
        return $type;
    }
    // add the filter
    add_filter( "media_upload_default_type", "weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults", 10, 1 );
    

Example 2: Modify Default Media Upload Type to Audio

This example demonstrates how to change the default media upload type to ‘audio’.

    function weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults($type) {
        $type = 'audio';
        return $type;
    }
    // add the filter
    add_filter( "media_upload_default_type", "weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults", 10, 1 );
    

Example 3: Removing the Hook Callback

To remove a hook callback, use the example below.

    remove_filter( "media_upload_default_type", "weplugins_modify_media_upload_default_type_defaults", 10, 1 );
    

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

Contact Us

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