How to Upload Additional File Types to WordPress Media Library

As someone who’s spent years immersed in WordPress, I’ve tackled my fair share of technical hurdles.

One that stands out happened not too long ago when I was working on a project for a client who needed to showcase a design portfolio.

They wanted to upload a .psd file directly to the WordPress media library, something WordPress doesn’t allow by default due to its security restrictions.

I’ll admit, my first reaction was frustration. But then my curiosity kicked in.

I knew WordPress well enough to understand why certain file types are blocked. It’s all about keeping sites safe from vulnerabilities.

Determined to find a solution, I dug into the world of MIME types, WordPress security protocols, and customization options.

After some research and some trial and error, I discovered secure ways to add .psd files and other file types to the allowed list.

This allowed me to use the functions.php file with the right MIME type and leverage a trusted WordPress plugin to upload different file types to WordPress without compromising the site’s integrity.

That moment was a turning point.

It wasn’t just about getting the file uploaded; it was about deepening my understanding of how WordPress balances flexibility and security.

Since then, I’ve used that experience to help others facing similar challenges, whether bloggers, marketers, or content creators.

I always stress one key takeaway: any change to your site should prioritize safety. That’s a lesson I’ve carried into every project since, and I’m passionate about sharing practical, secure solutions with people like you.

Let’s check out how to securely upload additional file types to your WordPress media library.

How to Enable Additional File Upload Support in WordPress

You can extend your WordPress media library support for more file extensions in 2 ways.

• Method 1: Upload Additional File Type With a Plugin
• Method 2: Upload Additional File Type Without a Plugin

Method 1: Upload Additional File Type With a Plugin

To accept more file types in WordPress, you’ll need to install this plugin created by WPForms called File Upload Types.

It lets you accept files like .ai, .zip, .xml, .svg, .csv, .mobi, .cad, .dwg, and .dxf. You can accept any other file extensions that exist, including custom file types.

To get started, inside your WordPress admin, in the Plugins » Add New tab, search for the free File Upload Types plugin and install and activate it on your site.

With this plugin, it’s easy for you to extend your website’s support for more file types.

The plugin works by letting you adjust the internal file whitelist. You can manually control which types of file extensions your site can upload.

Configuring the File Upload Types Plugin

Once the plugin is installed and activated on your WordPress website, go to Settings » File Upload Types. You’ll see a list that shows you different file formats.

To extend the support for more file types, you can select the right file extensions in the list.

If you don’t see the file extension that you want to upload, scroll down until you find Add Custom File Types. Then add the details in there.

If you want to extend the support for more than one file type, use the ‘+’ symbol next to the Extension field. Once done click on the Save Settings button at the bottom of the screen. You should now be able to upload your desired file format easily.

Method 2: Upload Additional File Type Without a Plugin

If you don’t want to install a plugin to upload additional file types, simply add this code snippet to your functions.php file or your site-specific plugin.

 function my_myme_types($mime_types){
          $mime_types['svg'] = 'image/svg+xml'; //Adding svg
extension
    return $mime_types;
}
add_filter('upload_mimes', 'my_myme_types', 1, 1);

In the above code, you’ll notice that the file extension goes as the key in $mime_types associated array and the mime type goes as its value. In this example, the svg file extension represents files with the mime type image/svg+xml.

If you want to add multiple file types you can do that by using this:

function my_myme_types($mime_types){
    $mime_types['svg'] = 'image/svg+xml'; //Adding svg extension
    $mime_types['psd'] = 'image/vnd.adobe.photoshop'; //Adding photoshop files
    return $mime_types;
}
add_filter('upload_mimes', 'my_myme_types', 1, 1);

Once done, don’t forget to save your settings.

We hope this post helped you upload additional file types to your WordPress media library. You might also want to read about the best file upload plugins for WordPress.

We also have an easy tutorial on How to Create a File Upload Form in WordPress that you’ll find helpful.