How to build image uploads in Bubble

The simplest way to build image uploads in Bubble is to place a Picture Uploader element on the page, store its value in the database (usually in a field of type image or a list of images), and save the image using a Create a new thing or Make changes to thing action. Bubble automatically hosts the image on its file storage once the workflow runs.

Core Concepts You Need

Bubble treats images as files stored on its AWS-backed storage. The Picture Uploader captures the file temporarily on the page, and the image becomes permanent only when a workflow saves it into the database. If you don’t trigger a workflow, the upload won’t persist.

• Picture Uploader: the visual element users interact with.
• Image field: a field in your Data Type that stores the uploaded image URL.
• Workflow: where the actual saving happens.

Practical Step‑by‑Step Setup

• Place a Picture Uploader element on your page. Let’s call it "PicUploader A".
• Create a Data Type (example: Post) with a field called photo of type image.
• Add a button such as “Save”. This will trigger the workflow that commits the image.
• In the workflow: use Create a new Post → set photo = PicUploader A's value.

// Workflow action (conceptual Bubble expression)
photo = PicUploader A's value    // This saves the uploaded image to the database

Important Details Beginners Miss

• If you want multiple images, set the field to a list of images and use add instead of replace.
• If your app needs compression, Bubble’s built‑in uploader handles basic optimization automatically.
• If you want to delete an image, you “Make changes to thing” and clear or remove the file from the field.

Optional: Uploading Without a Page Reload

Since the Picture Uploader works instantly on the client, you can show previews by simply placing an Image element and binding its source to PicUploader A's value.