Magento 2: How to Set Product Image Using Image URL Programmatically

Learn how to automatically assign product images in Magento 2 using a direct image URL. This tutorial demonstrates how to download an image from a remote location and attach it to a product's media gallery programmatically.

Overview

When importing products from external systems, APIs, ERPs, or marketplaces, you may need to assign product images directly from image URLs. Magento 2 provides methods to add images to the media gallery programmatically. In this tutorial, we'll create a simple PHP script that downloads an image from a URL and sets it as the product's Base Image, Small Image, and Thumbnail Image.

Step 1: Create PHP Script File

Create a file in your Magento root directory:

magento_root_directory/Uploadimagefile.php 
<?php
use Magento\Framework\AppInterface;

try
{
    require_once __DIR__ . '/app/bootstrap.php';
}
catch (\Exception $e)
{
    echo 'Autoload error: ' . $e->getMessage();
    exit(1);
}

try
{
    $bootstrap = \Magento\Framework\App\Bootstrap::create(BP, $_SERVER);
    $objectManager = $bootstrap->getObjectManager();

    $appState = $objectManager->get('\Magento\Framework\App\State');
    $appState->setAreaCode('frontend');

    $product_id = 1;

    $objectManager = \Magento\Framework\App\ObjectManager::getInstance();

    $product = $objectManager
        ->create('Magento\Catalog\Model\Product')
        ->load($product_id);

    saveimage(
        $product,
        "https://yourdomain.com/media/logo/websites/1/image.png"
    );

    $product->save();

    echo "Product Save with images";
}
catch(\Exception $e)
{
    echo "Error : ".$e->getMessage();
}

function saveimage($product, $imageUrl, $visible = false, $imageType = [])
{
    $objectManager = \Magento\Framework\App\ObjectManager::getInstance();

    $file = $objectManager->get(
        'Magento\Framework\Filesystem\Io\File'
    );

    $tmpDir = getMediaDirTmpDir();

    $file->checkAndCreateFolder($tmpDir);

    $newFileName = $tmpDir . basename($imageUrl);

    $result = $file->read($imageUrl, $newFileName);

    if ($result) {
        $product->addImageToMediaGallery(
            $newFileName,
            ['image','small_image','thumbnail'],
            false,
            $visible
        );
    }

    return $result;
}

function getMediaDirTmpDir()
{
    $objectManager = \Magento\Framework\App\ObjectManager::getInstance();

    $directoryList = $objectManager->get(
        'Magento\Framework\App\Filesystem\DirectoryList'
    );

    return $directoryList->getPath(
        Magento\Framework\App\Filesystem\DirectoryList::MEDIA
    ) . DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR . 'tmp';
}
?>

Step 2: Execute the Script

After creating the file, run the following URL in your browser:

https://yourdomain.com/Uploadimagefile.php

Once executed successfully, the image will be downloaded and assigned to the specified product.

Important Notes

  • Use a publicly accessible image URL.
  • The URL must contain a valid image file extension.
  • Supported formats include JPG, JPEG, PNG
  • Verify that the product ID exists before executing the script.
Example Image URL:
https://yourdomain.com/media/logo/websites/1/image.png

Result

After executing the script successfully, Magento 2 will:

  • Download the image from the provided URL.
  • Add the image to the product media gallery.
  • Assign it as Base Image.
  • Assign it as Small Image.
  • Assign it as Thumbnail Image.