Description
Media Sifter helps you reclaim storage by finding media files that are not used anywhere on your site. Run a safe dry-run scan, preview results, and bulk-delete only what you confirm.
Features
- 🔍 Scan for orphans — detects media not referenced in posts/pages or attached to content.
- 🧮 Storage stats — see how many files and how much space can be recovered.
- 🧰 Batch scanning — avoids timeouts on large libraries.
- ✅ Safe by default — dry-run first; delete only after confirmation.
- 🔒 Admin-only & secure — capability checks and nonces on all actions.
What counts as “in use”?
- Media attached to a post (parent set).
- Media referenced by URL in post content or basic meta (e.g., featured image).
- Resized variants (e.g.,
-150x150) linked to the base file.
Note: Deep scanning of page builders (Elementor/Divi), custom fields, and complex meta references are Pro-candidate features.
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to
/wp-content/plugins/or install via the Plugins screen. - Activate the plugin.
- Go to Media Media Sifter and click Start Scan.
FAQ
-
Is it safe?
-
Yes. Scans are read-only. Deletions require explicit confirmation. Always keep a recent backup.
-
Will it detect images used by page builders?
-
The Lite version does a conservative scan. Deep scanning for builders/ACF is planned for a Pro version.
-
Can I restore deleted files?
-
Deletion is permanent. Always back up your site before deleting.
Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
Contributors & Developers
“Media Sifter” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
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Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.0.0
- Rebranded as Media Sifter with proper WordPress.org prefixes.