--- title: "Export Ultimate Member profile & cover photos" date: 2026-08-06 modified: 2026-08-06 author: "userelements_wh8sr3" url: "https://www.userelements.com/export-ultimate-member-profile-photos/" markdown_url: "https://www.userelements.com/export-ultimate-member-profile-photos.md" type: post excerpt: "Plugin: UM Export (Free) / UM Export ProApplies to: Pro 1.5.5 · Free 1.0.9 What you can export Ultimate Member […]" categories: - "Ultimate Member" --- **Plugin:** UM Export (Free) / UM Export Pro **Applies to:** Pro 1.5.5 · Free 1.0.9 ## What you can export Ultimate Member stores profile and cover images as user media — not plain URLs in the database. UM Export resolves those fields into usable output so you can: - Get a spreadsheet of members with **profile photo URLs** - Include **cover photo URLs** (Pro) - Download a **ZIP** containing the spreadsheet plus the actual image files (Pro) --- ## Free vs Pro — what you need GoalFreeProExport **profile photo URLs** in CSVYesYesExport **cover photo URLs**NoYesChoose media mode: URLs / raw values / ZIP filesNo (URLs only)YesZIP bundle with image files on diskNoYesExport custom UM image/file upload fieldsLimited (as meta)Yes — resolved like profile/coverExcel (.xlsx) + background export for large sitesNo (CSV, max 2,000 rows)Yes (unlimited + background jobs)**Short answer:** - Need profile photo links in a CSV for a few thousand members or fewer → **Free is enough** - Need cover photos, ZIP downloads of the actual files, Excel, or large/background exports → **Pro is required** --- ## How it works UM typically stores a filename (or related meta) for photos. UM Export Pro’s media resolver turns that into: - **URLs mode (recommended)** — public or downloadable links using Ultimate Member helpers (e.g. avatar URL / cover URI) - **Raw mode** — the stored filename or attachment ID, as saved in user meta - **ZIP mode** — copies resolvable files into `media/{user_id}/{field}/` inside a ZIP, and writes relative paths in the spreadsheet The same modes also apply to Ultimate Member custom **image** and **file** form fields when those columns are selected. --- ## Export profile photo URLs (Free or Pro) ### Free 1. Go to **Ultimate Member → Export**. 2. Step 1: set any filters you need (role, status, registration date), or leave them open for all members. 3. Step 2: under **Basic details**, check **Profile Photo**. Also select Email / Name / ID so you can match rows later. 4. Step 3: **Download CSV**. Each row’s Profile Photo column will contain a resolved avatar URL when Ultimate Member can provide one. *Limits:* Free exports up to **2,000** members per run and CSV only. Narrow filters if you hit the cap, or upgrade to Pro. ### Pro 1. Go to **UM Export → Export**. 2. Step 1: choose filters (optional). 3. Step 2: check **Profile Photo (URL)** under Basic Details. Optionally add Cover Photo and any custom image/file fields. 4. Step 3: under **Profile media & file fields**, leave **Export file URLs (recommended)** selected. 5. Choose CSV or Excel → **Download now**, or queue a background export for large lists. > **📸 Screenshot — Columns** > Step 2 with Profile Photo (and Cover Photo on Pro) checked, plus Email/Name selected. --- ## Export cover photos (Pro only) 1. Open **UM Export → Export**. 2. Step 2: enable **Cover Photo (URL)**. 3. Step 3: keep media mode on **Export file URLs**. 4. Download CSV/Excel or run in the background. Cover photo is not available in the Free column list. Upgrade to Pro if you need cover images in the export. --- ## Download photos as a ZIP (Pro only) Use this when you need the actual image files (migration, offline archive, design handoff) — not just links. 1. Step 2: select **Profile Photo**, **Cover Photo**, and any other UM image/file fields you want bundled. 2. Step 3 → **Profile media & file fields** → choose **ZIP bundle**. 3. Run **Download now** or **Background export** (recommended for large member bases). **What’s inside the ZIP:** - Your spreadsheet (CSV or XLSX) - Files under paths like `media/123/profile_photo/avatar.jpg` - Spreadsheet cells for those fields contain the **relative path** into the ZIP (not a live URL) > **📸 Screenshot — Media mode** > Step 3 showing the three radios: Export file URLs / Raw stored values / ZIP bundle, with ZIP selected. **Tips:** - Prefer **Background export** when exporting thousands of members with ZIP — packing files takes longer than a URL-only CSV. - Members without an uploaded photo simply have empty cells / no file folder for that field. - Raw mode is mainly for debugging or re-import tooling; use URLs or ZIP for day-to-day work. --- ## Suggested column sets **Directory / CRM sync (links only):** ID, Email, Name, Profile Photo (URL), Cover Photo (URL) **Offsite media backup (ZIP):** ID, Email, Username, Profile Photo, Cover Photo + any custom image/file fields · media mode = ZIP **Ads / email tools:** Usually you do *not* need photo columns — use Email (+ Hash PII on Pro if uploading to ad platforms). --- ## Common questions **Why is a profile photo cell empty?** The member has no uploaded avatar, or Ultimate Member couldn’t resolve a URL for that account. Confirm the photo appears on their UM profile first. **Can I re-import profile photos from this export?** Profile Photo is treated as a display/export field, not a standard import target. Use URL or ZIP exports for listing and backup; photo re-upload into UM is a separate workflow. **Do Gravatar-only users export a URL?** If Ultimate Member’s avatar helper returns a URL (including default/Gravatar-style URLs depending on your UM settings), that URL is what appears in URLs mode. ZIP mode only packs files that exist on disk for that user. **Free hit the 2,000-row limit** Narrow filters (e.g. Approved + last 90 days) or upgrade to Pro for unlimited and background exports. --- ## Quick decision You want…UseProfile photo links in CSVFree or ProCover photo linksProActual image files in a ZIPPro5,000+ members / Excel / email when readyProUpgrade: [UM Export Pro](https://www.userelements.com/ultimate-member-export)