{"id":124703,"date":"2026-07-23T09:30:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T09:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/make.wordpress.org\/core\/?p=124703"},"modified":"2026-08-13T16:35:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T16:35:19","slug":"media-library-infinite-scrolling-is-now-enabled-by-default-with-a-per-user-opt-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/make.wordpress.org\/core\/2026\/07\/23\/media-library-infinite-scrolling-is-now-enabled-by-default-with-a-per-user-opt-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Media Library infinite scrolling is now enabled by default, with a per-user opt-out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The grid view of the Media Library (including the Media Modal) has supported infinite scrolling for a long time, where attachments load automatically as you scroll instead of behind a Load more<\/strong> button. That behavior was controlled by the media_library_infinite_scrolling<\/code><\/a> filterFilter<\/span> Filters are one of the two types of Hooks https:\/\/codex.wordpress.org\/Plugin_API\/Hooks<\/a>. They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. They are the counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant to work in an isolated manner, and should never have side effects such as affecting global variables and output.<\/span><\/span><\/span>, which defaulted to<\/strong> false<\/code> since WordPress 5.8<\/a> due to accessibilityAccessibility<\/span> Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both \u201cdirect access\u201d (i.e. unassisted) and \u201cindirect access\u201d meaning compatibility with a person\u2019s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Accessibility)<\/span><\/span><\/span>, performance, and usability concerns (#50105<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0r50829<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0#40330<\/a>). As a result, infinite scrolling was effectively off for everyone unless a pluginPlugin<\/span> A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/<\/a> or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party.<\/span><\/span><\/span> or theme opted in via the filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Load more<\/strong> button has long been a friction point for users managing large media libraries, and the smoother infinite-scroll experience was hidden behind code that most sites never enabled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What changed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In WordPress 7.1 (#65564<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Infinite scrolling is now enabled by default.<\/strong> The media_library_infinite_scrolling<\/code> filter now defaults to true<\/code>, so the grid view auto-loads attachments on scroll out of the box. This applies to both the Grid view of the Media Library, and the Media Modal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Users can opt out individually.<\/strong> A new Infinite Scrolling<\/strong> personal option appears on the profile screen (Users > Profile<\/strong>), with a checkbox labeled \u201cDisable infinite scrolling in the Media Library grid view\u201d<\/em> (unchecked by default). The option is only shown to users who have the upload_files<\/code> capabilitycapability<\/span> A\u00a0capability<\/strong>\u00a0is permission to perform one or more types of task. Checking if a user has a capability is performed by the current_user_can<\/code> function. Each user of a WordPress site might have some permissions but not others, depending on their\u00a0role. For example, users who have the Author role usually have permission to edit their own posts (the \u201cedit_posts\u201d capability), but not permission to edit other users\u2019 posts (the \u201cedit_others_posts\u201d capability).<\/span><\/span><\/span>, since the attachment grid is unreachable without it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Precedence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The effective setting is resolved in this order, from highest priority to lowest:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The<\/strong> media_library_infinite_scrolling<\/code> filter<\/strong>: a hooked filter callback always wins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The user\u2019s opt-out preference<\/strong>: applies when no filter is hooked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. The default (<\/strong>true<\/code>)<\/strong>: applies when neither of the above is set.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In other words: filter > user preference > default<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Developer-facing details<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The filter\u2019s default changed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      If your plugin or theme relies on the previous behavior (infinite scrolling off unless explicitly enabled), be aware that the default is now true<\/code>. To force the previous behavior for all users regardless of their preference, you can use the filter, as it takes precedence over everything:<\/p>\n\n\n

      \n\/\/ Force infinite scrolling OFF for all users (restores to the behavior that was default between 5.8 and 7.1).\n\nadd_filter( 'media_library_infinite_scrolling', '__return_false' );\n\n\/\/ Force infinite scrolling ON for all users, ignoring per-user opt-out.\n\nadd_filter( 'media_library_infinite_scrolling', '__return_true' );\n<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n
      Because the filter runs after<\/em> the per-user preference is read, adding a callback overrides any individual user\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      The new user option<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      The preference is stored as a user option under the metaMeta<\/span> Meta is a term that refers to the inside workings of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like WordCamp Central and Make WordPress.<\/span><\/span><\/span> key infinite_scrolling<\/code>, as the string 'true'<\/code> or 'false'<\/code>, consistent with how existing options such as syntax_highlighting<\/code> and rich_editing<\/code> are persisted. It is also wired consistently through the profile form (user-edit.php<\/code>), the save handler (edit_user()<\/code>), and persistence in wp_insert_user()<\/code> and _get_additional_user_keys()<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      You can read a user\u2019s preference programmatically:<\/p>\n\n\n
      \n\/\/ The user setting is 'false' if the user has disabled infinite scrolling, 'true' (or empty) otherwise.\n\n$infinite_scrolling_disabled = 'false' === get_user_option( 'infinite_scrolling', $user_id );\n<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n
      Note the direction of the stored value: 'false'<\/code> means the user has disabled<\/strong> infinite scrolling. wp_enqueue_media()<\/code> reads this option to determine the pre-filter default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Backwards compatibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n