No photo option appears on Etsy reviews unless you leave five stars or meet review window rules.
Hitting a dead end when you try to attach a picture to your feedback on Etsy? You’re not the only one. The platform supports buyer images, yet the camera prompt doesn’t always show up, and uploads can fail without a clear reason. This guide breaks down the most common blockers, what Etsy’s rules actually allow, and the exact steps that get your picture posted with minimal hassle.
Fast Answer: The Common Blockers
Most upload issues come from one of three places: the star rating you picked, the timing and status of your order, or the device and method you’re using to post. Start with the overview below, then jump to the scenario that matches what you’re seeing.
Photo Review Rules At A Glance
| Rule Or Condition | What It Means | Where It Comes From |
|---|---|---|
| Photo option ties to five-star ratings in the app | The camera prompt appears when you post the top rating in the mobile app | Etsy Seller Handbook note on buyer photos |
| Review window is limited | You can post and edit during a 100-day window that starts at delivery (or after a digital download) | Etsy Help: review window |
| Guest checkout limits reviews | Orders placed without an account must be claimed before review tools appear | Etsy Help: guest orders |
| Open case blocks edits | Reviews and edits pause while a case is open on the order | Etsy Help: cases |
| Content rules apply to images | Images with minors or mature themes can be rejected or removed | Etsy policy pages |
Why You Might Not Be Able To Add A Picture On An Etsy Rating
Your Star Rating Hides The Camera Icon
On mobile, the picture prompt shows up with a top rating. Post the rating, tap submit, and the app asks if you want to attach a picture. Many shoppers expect the camera icon before submitting text, so the timing feels odd. If you use fewer stars, the prompt often never appears.
Try this: post the top rating first, attach your image when the prompt appears, then—if needed—edit the text afterward. If your feedback needs fewer stars, send the image to the seller by message so they can see the issue, then leave a text-only post.
Review Window Or Order Status Blocks Uploads
Etsy opens a 100-day window for posting and edits. The clock starts when the carrier marks the package delivered, or once you download a digital file. If the review box is missing, you may be outside that window, the order may still show as undelivered, or a case may be open. You can see the official timing rules in the Etsy review guide.
Try this: check Purchases & reviews for the delivery date, refresh the page, and confirm you’re inside the 100-day window. For digital orders, download at least once. If you bought as a guest, claim the order to your account to unlock review tools.
You’re Using Desktop Where The Flow Is Different
The mobile apps tend to surface the camera prompt right after you press submit. On desktop, the option can lag or fail during peak traffic. Some buyers report that the prompt doesn’t appear at all on a laptop even when everything else looks fine.
Try this: switch to the mobile app, a different browser, or your phone’s web browser. If you use desktop, test an incognito window and turn off extensions that might block upload widgets.
File Type, Size, Or Connection Issues
The uploader accepts common formats like JPG and PNG. Oversized files, weak Wi-Fi, or blocked photo permissions on your phone can trigger a generic error. Keep a copy under a few megabytes and avoid heavy filters that bloat file size. If the app can’t access your camera roll, grant permission in your device settings and retry on stronger connectivity or cellular data.
Policy Filters Remove The Image
Etsy applies strict rules around images that include minors and mature themes. A picture that seems harmless can still be flagged. If your image disappears after posting, switch to a neutral shot of the product on a table rather than a person wearing or using it. For details, see the Imagery of Minors policy.
Step-By-Step: How To Get The Picture Upload To Work
On The Mobile App
- Open Purchases & reviews and select the order.
- Choose your star rating and write a short, clear note.
- Tap Submit. When the prompt appears, choose Add photo.
- Pick a sharp JPG or PNG, then confirm.
- Post. If the upload fails, switch to a stronger network and try again.
On Desktop
- Open Purchases & reviews and select the order.
- Write your text review, then submit.
- If no picture prompt appears, try another browser, turn off extensions, or use an incognito window.
- Still stuck? Attach the image with the mobile app, then edit the text on desktop if you prefer typing on a keyboard.
Fix-By-Scenario Guide
Match your symptom to a quick fix below and move straight to a working upload.
No Camera Prompt After I Hit Submit
- Post the top rating first; the prompt often appears only in that case.
- Switch to the mobile app; it tends to show the prompt most reliably.
- Test a different browser or an incognito window on desktop.
“Oops, Something Went Wrong Uploading Your Image”
- Save a smaller JPG (keep it under a few MB).
- Move closer to your router or switch to cellular data.
- On iPhone or Android, grant Photos access to the Etsy app and retry.
I Bought As A Guest
- Claim the order to your account from your purchase email.
- Once claimed, open Purchases & reviews and post with the image.
I Want To Edit The Picture Later
- Edits are allowed during the 100-day window.
- If a case is open, edits pause until it closes.
Clean Photo Checklist For Smooth Uploads
Clear, neutral pictures help other shoppers and avoid policy flags. Use this quick list for a drama-free post.
- Format: JPG or PNG.
- Clarity: bright, in focus, no heavy filters.
- Background: plain surface; avoid clutter.
- People: avoid faces and any shots featuring minors.
- Privacy: crop out labels, receipts, or addresses.
When The Picture Still Won’t Stick
If the app keeps failing, open the site in your phone’s browser and try there. Reinstall the app to clear cache, then reboot your phone. On desktop, turn off ad blockers and privacy extensions that can break upload widgets. If nothing works, send the seller a message with the picture so they can see the issue; then post a text-only review while you retry later on mobile with a smaller JPG.
Detailed Review Rules And Timing
Timing, account status, and case status control what you can post. The 100-day window starts at the delivery scan for shipped items or after a download for digital orders. Guest orders don’t get review tools until they’re tied to an account. If a case is open, some actions pause. Once a seller replies to your post, certain edits lock, so plan your text and image before the back-and-forth starts.
Device-Specific Tips That Save Time
iPhone And iPad
Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos, grant access to the app, then retry on strong Wi-Fi. If uploads stall, toggle Airplane Mode off and on, or restart the device. Switching to cellular data often bypasses crowded networks.
Android Phones
In Settings, confirm the app has storage and media permissions. Clear the app cache by reinstalling if the uploader spins without finishing. If the gallery picker fails, export the picture from your editor as a standard JPG and try again.
Desktop Browsers
Use a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Turn off content blockers on the review page. If drag-and-drop fails, use the file chooser. When uploads time out, compress the picture and retry in a private window.
Practical Tips For A Helpful Buyer Picture
Show Scale
Place a ruler, coin, or a common object next to the item so size is clear at a glance.
Use Neutral Light
Window light gives color that looks true. Keep shadows soft and avoid tinted bulbs that bend the color.
Keep Edits Light
Small tweaks for exposure and straightening are fine. Heavy filters or text overlays can reduce clarity and increase file size, which hurts uploads.
Caption For Clarity
One short line helps others understand what they’re seeing—color name, size, or a quick note like “arrived in this packaging.” Stick to facts and avoid personal details.
Troubleshooting Table: Symptoms And Fixes
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No camera prompt | Rating not at the top tier; desktop flow | Use the app, submit first, then attach |
| Upload error message | Large file or weak connection | Save as JPG under a few MB; switch networks |
| Can’t post any review | Outside 100-day window or guest order | Claim the order; confirm delivery; post within window |
| Photo disappears | Policy flags or app glitch | Use a neutral product shot; retry on mobile |
| Edits blocked | Open case or seller response | Wait for the case to close; then edit inside the window |
If You Still Don’t See The Option
Send the seller a quick note with your picture so they can verify any defect or mismatch. Try again later on the mobile app. Platform updates and short outages can hide the prompt for a while. When the uploader returns, your reduced-size JPG should post without trouble.
What Sellers See And Do With Buyer Photos
Seller dashboards surface image reviews on listing and shop pages. Sellers can request removal for policy reasons and can hide buyer images on their review pages in some cases. That’s why a picture can vanish even when the upload worked earlier.
Bottom Line: You Can Share Proof Even Without The Upload
If the image tool won’t cooperate, you still have options: attach the picture in a message to the seller, keep your post clear and factual, then retry later in the mobile app with a smaller JPG and a steady connection. With the right steps, the camera prompt shows up, the file goes through, and your helpful picture reaches future shoppers.