Let me tell you a quick story. A while ago, I was helping a friend clean up her Shopify store. What started as a simple product update turned into a full-blown treasure hunt through thousands of old, forgotten images buried in her Shopify library. There were duplicates, broken links, and random files with names like “IMG_0048” — and finding the right images felt like digging through a junk drawer stuffed with who-knows-what.
Until that moment, I’d never really thought about deleting images from the Shopify library as a big deal. In my head, it was one of those “Oh, I’ll just knock this out real quick” kind of tasks. I’d been around Shopify plenty of times, so I figured I could show her how easy it was to tidy up her catalog.
Spoiler: it was not easy.
Suddenly, I understood why she kept putting it off. This wasn’t some one-click spring cleaning — it was a whole process. That got me thinking (and googling) — how to remove images from Shopify library without messing up product data, breaking image links, or accidentally deleting the wrong stuff?
Lucky for us, I’ve used both Shopify and PIM (Product Information Management) systems before, so we managed to get through the cleanup without losing our minds. But it made me realize how many Shopify sellers probably go through the exact same struggle.
If you’ve had your store for a while, you probably know the drill. Old product photos, outdated banners, random test images — they pile up before you know it. And the longer you let it go, the worse it gets. All that clutter doesn’t just make your life harder when you’re updating products. It can actually slow down your store and even mess with your SEO. Plus, when everything’s a mess, it’s way too easy to delete the wrong image or leave a product hanging with a broken image link.
That’s why regularly cleaning up your Shopify images isn’t just about being organized — it actually helps your store run better. So let’s walk through the best ways to do it, why Shopify’s built-in tools can be surprisingly clunky, and how a PIM system can save you a ton of hassle (and probably some swear words).
Where Shopify Stores Your Images (And Why It Matters)
Before we start deleting anything, you need to know where your images actually live in Shopify. And this is where it gets a bit confusing.
Files vs. Product Images
In Shopify, images are stored in two main places:
- Files (a.k.a. Media Library) — This is the general storage spot for all kinds of files, from logos to PDFs to product images. You can access it by going to Content > Files in your Shopify admin.
- Product Images — These are images directly attached to specific products. You’ll find them in the Products section when you edit a product.
Shopify’s Storage Limits
If you’re on Shopify’s lower-tier plans, storage space is limited, so old images eat into your quota. And here’s the fun part — Shopify doesn’t have a built-in way to bulk delete images, which means you’re left clicking through files one at a time. Not ideal if you’ve got hundreds (or thousands) of images piling up.
How to Delete Images Manually (Step-by-Step)
If you just want to clear out a handful of images, the manual way works fine — if you have the patience.
Deleting Images from the Files Section
- Go to Content > Files in your Shopify admin.
- Check the box next to each file you want to delete.
- Click the Delete button.
- Confirm — and you’re done.
Removing Product Images One by One
- Head to Products in your Shopify admin.
- Open a product and scroll to the Media section.
- Click the trash icon on any image you want to remove.
Heads-up: Sometimes, even after you delete an image, Shopify’s caching can make it look like the image is still there. Usually, this clears up after a while, but it’s something to watch for.
How to Bulk Delete Images in Shopify (For When You’ve Got a Lot to Clean Up)
If you’re sitting on a giant pile of unused images, manual deletion just won’t cut it. Here are some faster options:
1. Bulk Delete via CSV File
Shopify lets you update products using a CSV file — and if you leave the Image Src column blank for a product, Shopify will remove the current images.
Steps:
- Export your product list (Products > Export).
- Open the file in Excel or Google Sheets.
- Clear the Image Src column for products you want to strip of images.
- Re-upload the file.
Important: This only works for product images, not files in the media library.
2. Delete Images via Shopify API
If you’re comfortable with a bit of coding, you can also write a small script that uses Shopify’s API to delete images directly. Here’s a quick example using Python:
import requestsAPI_KEY = 'your-api-key'
PASSWORD = 'your-api-password'
SHOP_NAME = 'your-shop-name'
PRODUCT_ID = 'product-id'
url = f'https://{API_KEY}:{PASSWORD}@{SHOP_NAME}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2024-01/products/{PRODUCT_ID}.json'
response = requests.get(url)
product = response.json()for image in product['product']['images']: image_id = image['id'] delete_url = f'https://{API_KEY}:{PASSWORD}@{SHOP_NAME}.myshopify.com/admin/api/2024-01/products/{PRODUCT_ID}/images/{image_id}.json'
requests.delete(delete_url)
I’ll be honest — this part isn’t really my thing. When it came to writing this section, I called in a favor from my colleagues who are way more comfortable with Python than I am. But hey, you might be a lot handier with code than me. And even if you’re not, it’s good to know this option exists.
Because if we’re talking about how to remove images from Shopify library, leaving out the API method would be like giving you a toolbox with a missing wrench.
So, here’s the gist: Shopify’s API lets you delete product images directly, without all the clicking and scrolling you have to do in the admin panel. It’s not exactly plug-and-play — you need to write a little code and connect to your store’s backend — but it’s hands-down one of the fastest ways to clear out a big batch of images.
3. Use Shopify Apps
Now, if you’re like me and you’d rather avoid the whole coding thing (or you just want a faster way to clean up your images), Shopify apps are definitely worth a look. There are quite a few apps out there that can handle image management for you — and some of them do way more than just deleting files.
When I first went digging for options, I was honestly surprised at how much these apps can do. Some will scan your whole store and point out unused images — basically the digital equivalent of finding stuff you forgot you owned. Others can bulk delete images in just a couple of clicks, which is a lifesaver if you’re sitting on years’ worth of clutter.
Some apps also come with handy extras, like image compression (to help your store load faster) or automatic file renaming (so you don’t end up with a library full of “image-001” and “final-final-v2”). And if you care about SEO — which, let’s be real, you probably should — a few apps will even add alt text to your images automatically.
Of course, not every app is a perfect fit. Some focus only on product images, while others also handle files in the general media library. And since apps usually come with monthly fees, it’s worth checking if the features they offer are something you’ll actually use regularly — or if you’re just paying for a shiny button you’ll hit once a year.
If you’re wondering how to remove images from Shopify library without getting stuck in endless clicking, apps are easily one of the most user-friendly ways to do it. Especially if you’re running a larger store and manual cleanup just isn’t realistic.
Want a few specific app recommendations? Here are some types I’d suggest looking for:
- Apps that find and remove unused images
- Bulk image deletion tools (for products and for files in the Content > Files section)
- Image optimization apps (to compress files and speed up page loads)
- SEO image apps that automatically add alt text
One quick tip: before installing any app, make sure to check reviews — especially if you’re giving it permission to delete files. The last thing you want is an overzealous app wiping out images you still need.
The Smarter Way: Use a PIM System for Image Cleanup and Syncing
Manually sorting through files is fine if you’re running a small store with a handful of products. But if your catalog’s even a little bigger (or you’re selling on multiple channels), deleting and updating images by hand gets old fast.
That’s exactly why I’m such a fan of using a PIM system — short for Product Information Management. If you’ve never used one, think of it like your product data’s home base. Your descriptions, prices, specs, and — yep — images all live in one spot. And from there, the PIM pushes everything out to Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, or anywhere else you sell.
Here’s what makes PIM such a lifesaver when it comes to images:
- All Your Images in One Place
Instead of jumping between different stores and folders, every product image lives in your PIM — neat, organized, and easy to find. No more guessing if you uploaded the latest product photo to Shopify but forgot about Amazon.
- Bulk Updates Without the Chaos
Ever had to replace a batch of images across dozens (or hundreds) of products? Doing that in Shopify manually is painful. With PIM, you just update the image once, and it updates everywhere it’s used. That’s the kind of time saver that makes you want to high-five yourself.
- Say Goodbye to Duplicate or Missing Images
PIM acts like a smart guardrail. Every product gets exactly the images it’s supposed to have — no more, no less. If you’ve ever found a product page with a weird leftover image from a discontinued product, you know how valuable this is.
- Automatic Syncing — No More Manual Uploads
This is my personal favorite. Whenever you update a product image in the PIM, that change automatically flows into Shopify (and any other connected sales channels). No need to manually upload files or mess with CSVs. It just… happens.
The best part? PIM doesn’t just help with image cleanup. It also makes the whole process of how to delete images from Shopify library a lot safer. Instead of clicking through files and hoping you don’t accidentally trash something important, you can confidently remove outdated images in bulk, knowing the PIM has your back.
If you’re running a small store with 20 products, you probably don’t need all this. But if your catalog is growing — or you’re juggling products across multiple stores — a PIM system can save you hours of work and a lot of headaches. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever kept up without it.
Best Practices for Managing Shopify Images (So You Don’t End Up in This Mess Again)
After I helped my friend clean up her Shopify library, we made a deal: never again. Neither of us wanted to spend another afternoon lost in a maze of outdated product shots and mystery files. So, we came up with a few simple rules to keep her image library under control going forward — and honestly, I use these in my own projects now too.
- Set Regular Cleanup Days
This one’s boring but essential. Every few months, block out an hour to clear out unused images. Think of it like cleaning out your closet — if you haven’t used that file in ages and it doesn’t belong to an active product, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
- Automate the Boring Stuff
Whenever possible, I try to let apps or a PIM system do the heavy lifting. Bulk updates, automatic image replacements, even detecting unused files — these are all things you can do manually, but why would you if there’s a tool that can do it faster (and without human error)? If you’re managing a bigger store, this one’s a lifesaver.
- Think Before You Upload
This is a habit I wish I’d started years ago. Before uploading any image to Shopify, I now take a few seconds to do three things:
- Compress the file so it doesn’t slow down my store.
- Save it in WebP format if possible — Shopify supports it, and it’s much better for performance than old-school JPEGs and PNGs.
- Add a clear, descriptive filename. Because I promise, a year from now, you will not remember what “IMG_1247.jpg” was supposed to be.
- Name Files Like Your Future Self Will Thank You
Speaking of filenames — this one’s worth its own bullet point. A good file name is like leaving a note for future you. “red-wool-scarf-front.jpg” makes sense no matter when you open the folder. “Screenshot 2023-09-04 at 11.32.18 AM”? Not so much.
- Use a PIM If You Work Across Multiple Stores or Channels
If you’re selling the same products in more than one Shopify store (or on marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy), managing images gets 10 times more annoying. That’s where a PIM system comes in handy — you upload images once, link them to the right products, and your PIM handles the rest. Images stay consistent everywhere without you having to jump between tabs.
Following these habits doesn’t just keep your image library tidy — it also makes life way easier the next time you want to do a major update. And trust me, the next time will come faster than you think.
When it comes down to it, how to delete images from Shopify library is only half the battle. The real win is building a system that stops the clutter from piling up in the first place.
Conclusion: Clean Library, Happy Store
Whether you’re tidying up for faster page loads, better SEO, or just your own sanity, keeping your Shopify image library organized is 100% worth the effort. And while Shopify’s tools are okay for small jobs, bigger stores really benefit from using a PIM system to keep everything in sync across channels.
Want to see how PIM could make image management (and a whole lot more) easier for your store? Check out how Toriut helps Shopify sellers like you keep their product data — and their images — perfectly organized.
Enjoyed this article? Try Toriut's free beta — or book a demo, and we’ll gladly walk you through everything and answer all your questions.
