Action Hook since 2.0.0

delete_attachment

Fires just before an attachment and its files are deleted

Description

delete_attachment is your last chance to read an attachment's post meta or file path before wp_delete_attachment() removes the database row and the files on disk.

When it runs

Inside wp_delete_attachment(), before the attachment post, its meta, and its files are removed.

Signature

do_action( 'delete_attachment', int $post_id, WP_Post $post );

Parameters

post_id int — The ID of the attachment being deleted.
post WP_Post — The attachment post object, before deletion.

Examples

Basic

add_action( 'delete_attachment', function( $post_id ) {
    error_log( 'Deleting attachment: ' . $post_id );
} );

Log every attachment deletion.

Real case

add_action( 'delete_attachment', function( $post_id ) {
    $file = get_attached_file( $post_id );
    do_action( 'my_cdn_purge', $file );
}, 10, 1 );

Purge a CDN-cached copy of the file before WordPress deletes the local original.

Edge case

add_action( 'delete_attachment', function( $post_id, $post ) {
    if ( 'image/' !== substr( $post->post_mime_type, 0, 6 ) ) {
        return;
    }
}, 10, 2 );

Filter by mime type when the cleanup logic only applies to images.

Common Use Cases

Purge CDN or cache entries tied to the file
Clean up related custom meta or database rows
Log deletions for an audit trail
Block deletion of protected files (via a related filter, not this action)

Common mistakes

Trying to prevent the deletion from inside this action — it's an action, not a filter, so it can't stop the delete; use the wp_delete_file filter for file-path-level control instead

Related hooks

opposite add_attachment
Works with before_delete_post

FAQ

Can I cancel a deletion from inside delete_attachment?

No — this action fires as notification, not permission. It can't stop the delete from proceeding.

Is the file still on disk when this fires?

Yes — the file and its generated sizes are still present; this is the last point where get_attached_file() returns a valid path.

Source: wp-includes/post.php

Group wizard

One session: this hook, then each related_hooks entry. Walk it and tell us what to change.

delete_attachment → add_attachment → before_delete_post

functions.php — delete_attachment

functions.php

<?php
/**
 * Practice: hook into delete_attachment
 */
add_action( 'delete_attachment', function( $post_id, $post ) {
	// Write your callback here.

} );

Group tour

delete_attachment · Hook 1 of 3 · Step 1 of 6

Meet delete_attachment

Fires just before an attachment and its files are deleted

delete_attachment is your last chance to read an attachment's post meta or file path before wp_delete_attachment() removes the database row and the files on disk.

type actionphase mediasince 2.0.0source wp-includes/post.php

do_action( 'delete_attachment', int $post_id, WP_Post $post );

add_action( 'delete_attachment', function( $post_id ) {
    error_log( 'Deleting attachment: ' . $post_id );
} );

PHP delete_attachment · Hook 1 of 3 · Step 1 of 6

Practice the delete_attachment WordPress action hook in our interactive sandbox — a VS Code-style editor with a step-by-step delete_attachment tutorial, add_action exercises, and instant feedback. No local WordPress install required.