theme development - Attach media to multiple posts

I have a simple code where I am attaching existing in the library image to a post:

function attachToPost($attachmentId, $postId){
    return wp_update_post(array(
        'ID' => (int)$attachmentId,
        'post_parent' => (int)$postId
    ));
}

The problem is that I can't attach it to a second post. I read in the internet that this is the way that WordPress works, but is there some kind of solution ?

I don't prefer plugins.

I have a simple code where I am attaching existing in the library image to a post:

function attachToPost($attachmentId, $postId){
    return wp_update_post(array(
        'ID' => (int)$attachmentId,
        'post_parent' => (int)$postId
    ));
}

The problem is that I can't attach it to a second post. I read in the internet that this is the way that WordPress works, but is there some kind of solution ?

I don't prefer plugins.

• theme-development
• attachments
• media
• media-library

Share Improve this question asked Jan 20, 2019 at 18:10 gdfgdfggdfgdfg 17211 silver badge1515 bronze badges

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2 Answers 2

Sorted by: Reset to default 1

It is not possible to assign multiple parents to the attachment. However, there is an alternative solution. You can use update_post_meta. to store the attachment id to the post and similarly, you can use function get_post_meta. for getting the attachment id.

What I did was to use set_post_thumbnail( $postId, $attachmentId );. With it, I can have one image attached to many posts.