--- title: "Replace media in place, no duplicates, and back buttons that work" description: "Replace a media's file without touching the QR codes and buttons that open it, never store the same file twice, get a back button only on pages where it can show, and hand your files straight to the Assistant." canonical: "https://linkbreakers.com/help/article/replace-media-no-duplicates-and-back-buttons-that-work" last-updated: 2026-10-18 --- # Replace media in place, no duplicates, and back buttons that work > Replace a media's file without touching the QR codes and buttons that open it, never store the same file twice, get a back button only on pages where it can show, and hand your files straight to the Assistant. ## Short answer Four changes to media and pages. **Replace file** puts a new version in place of a media while every Open media step and page theme that uses it follows, so a weekly PDF never needs a reprint or a workflow edit. A workspace now holds **each file once**: uploading a file you already have reuses it. The **back button** moved into each page step's form and is offered only on pages where it can show. And the **Assistant takes your files**: attach a PDF or an image in the chat and it puts it to work. ## What we shipped ### Replace a media's file On the **Media** page, each media now has **Replace file**. Pick the new file and the replace window lists everything that changes before you confirm: - Open media steps hand out the new file from the next scan - Page themes show the new background cover, badge or footer logo from the next visit - QR codes keep their own copy of their logo, so a printed QR code never changes by surprise. They keep their current logo and are no longer linked to the media A replacement that a use cannot take is refused with the reason for each use, for example a PDF in place of an image used as a cover. The media takes the new file's name, the old file is deleted, and only the difference in size counts toward storage. See [how to keep a QR code's PDF up to date every week](/help/article/how-to-keep-a-qr-codes-pdf-up-to-date-every-week). ### Each file once Linkbreakers now recognises a file by its content. Uploading a file the media library already has, even under another name, stores nothing new: the dashboard shows **Already in your media library** and uses the media you already have. In the API, the upload returns `409 MEDIA_ALREADY_EXISTS` with the existing media's id. ### Clearer delete rules Media that an Open media step opens, or that a page theme shows as its cover, badge or footer logo, can no longer be deleted while it is in use: the message lists where it is used. Deleting a QR code logo stays allowed, since the QR code keeps its own copy. Nothing is left pointing at media that no longer exists. ### Filter by usage The filter on the Media page is now **Filter by usage**: pick a place such as **Open media** or **QR code logo**, **In use**, or **Not used** to find what you can delete. **Used as** chips on each media show where it is used, with a count per place. ### Back buttons only where they can work The **Back button** option now sits at the bottom of each page step's create and edit form, under its buttons. It is offered only where a page comes before the step on some route, such as behind a menu. The first page after a scan has nothing to go back to, so it no longer offers a button that could never show. For a page whose only way out is back to the menu, use a thank you page with a "Back to menu" back button. See [how to add a Back to menu button](/help/article/how-to-add-a-back-to-menu-button). ### The Assistant handles your files Attach PDFs and images in a chat with the Assistant, up to 50 MB each. It stores them in your media library and uses them: a QR code that opens the PDF, a menu of several PDFs, a footer logo, a background cover or a QR code logo. It can also replace a media's file with one you attach. Replacing and deleting media always wait for your confirmation. See [give the Assistant your files](/help/article/give-the-assistant-your-files). ### For developers Everything above is in the API and the MCP server: direct uploads take an optional `sha256` so duplicates are refused before any transfer, `POST /v1/media:import` fetches a file from an https URL, and new replace routes (`/v1/media/{id}/replace-uploads` and `/v1/media/{id}/replace:import`) swap a media's file while keeping its id. See [manage media through the API and MCP](/help/article/manage-media-through-the-api-and-mcp). ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need to change my existing QR codes? No. Existing Open media steps, page themes and QR codes keep working. Replace file simply gives you a faster way to update what they show. ### Why did my QR code logo stay the same after I replaced the image? QR codes keep their own copy of their logo, so they never change by surprise. Pick the new image in the QR code design if you want it there. ### Where did the back button option go? It moved from the Advanced section to the bottom of each page step's form. If you do not see it, the page has no page before it, so a back button could never show. ### Can the Assistant upload files now? Yes. Attach the file in the chat and the Assistant stores it in your media library before using it. ## Limits and caveats - **Replace file** is on the Media page, and in the Assistant, the API and the MCP server - Images up to 10 MB, PDFs up to 25 MB, MP4 videos up to 50 MB; logos, covers and badges up to 3 MB - The replaced file is deleted and cannot be restored - Back button labels are limited to 40 characters ## Last reviewed 2026-10-18