You add descriptive alt text to an image on Bluesky, edit the post, and the alt text disappears. This bug prevents screen readers from describing your images to visually impaired users. The issue occurs because the Bluesky web app and mobile app handle post editing differently from the initial creation. This article explains why the alt text fails to persist and provides a reliable fix to keep your alt text intact.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Alt Text Loss on Bluesky Post Edits
- Delete and repost instead of editing: Avoids the alt text bug entirely by creating a fresh post with alt text intact.
- Use the mobile app for editing: The iOS and Android apps preserve alt text when you edit, unlike the web version.
- Check the image details after editing: Confirm alt text saved by tapping or clicking the image and looking for the alt text label.
Why Bluesky Loses Alt Text When You Edit a Post
When you upload an image to Bluesky, the alt text you type is stored as metadata attached to that specific image file. During initial posting, the app correctly saves this metadata. However, the post editing feature on the web version does not properly re-send the alt text metadata to the server. The edit action triggers a partial update that sometimes omits the alt text field entirely. This is a known client-side bug in the Bluesky web interface. The mobile apps use a different API call for editing that handles metadata more reliably. The root cause is a mismatch between the edit endpoint and the image attachment data structure. Bluesky developers are aware of the issue, but no permanent fix has been released as of this writing.
How Alt Text Metadata Works on Bluesky
Bluesky uses the AT Protocol to store posts. Each image is uploaded as a blob, and the alt text is stored in a separate field called alt within the embed object. When you edit a post, the client sends a new version of the entire post object. If the client fails to include the alt field in the edit request, the server overwrites the previous alt text with a blank value. This is exactly what happens on the web version. The mobile app includes the alt field in its edit request, which is why it works.
Steps to Fix Alt Text Not Saving After Editing
Use one of the following methods to ensure your alt text remains visible after editing an image post on Bluesky.
Method 1: Delete and Repost the Image
This method works on all platforms and guarantees alt text preservation.
- Open the post with the missing alt text
Navigate to your profile and find the post containing the image. Tap or click the post to open it in full view. - Delete the post
Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right of the post. Select Delete post from the menu. Confirm deletion when prompted. - Re-upload the same image
Create a new post by tapping the compose button. Attach the same image file from your device or clipboard. - Add alt text
Tap the Alt button on the image thumbnail. Type your descriptive alt text. Tap Save or Done. - Post the new version
Write any text you want and tap Post. The alt text is now saved correctly.
Method 2: Edit Using the Mobile App
If you prefer to keep the original post timestamp and replies, use the Bluesky mobile app to edit.
- Open the post on the mobile app
Launch Bluesky on your iOS or Android device. Navigate to the post with the missing alt text. - Tap the three-dot menu and select Edit
Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right of the post. Choose Edit post from the menu. - Tap the image to open alt text field
Tap the image thumbnail in the edit screen. The alt text field appears. If the field is blank, type your alt text again. If it still contains text, no action needed. - Save the edit
Tap Done or Save in the top right corner. The post updates with the alt text preserved.
If Bluesky Still Has Issues After the Main Fix
Alt Text Disappears Again After a Second Edit
If you edit the same post a second time on the web version, the alt text may vanish again. The web edit bug affects every edit action. Always use the mobile app for any subsequent edits. Alternatively, delete and repost if you only edit on the web.
Alt Text Shows on Desktop but Not on Mobile
This is not an alt text saving issue. The Bluesky mobile app may not display alt text labels in the same way as the desktop. Tap the image on mobile and look for an Alt badge or the actual alt text shown below the image. If it appears there, the alt text is saved correctly.
Image Fails to Upload Alt Text From Clipboard
When you copy an image from a website and paste it directly into Bluesky, the alt text field may not appear. Bluesky does not support pasting images with embedded alt text from the clipboard. Always download the image to your device first, then upload it as a file. This ensures the alt text field is available.
Bluesky Web Edit vs Mobile Edit: Alt Text Handling
| Item | Web Version | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| Alt text preserved after edit | No | Yes |
| Edit API includes alt field | No | Yes |
| Workaround needed | Delete and repost | None |
| Supports inline image paste | Yes | No |
The web version of Bluesky has a known bug where the edit function does not send alt text metadata. The mobile app handles this correctly. Until Bluesky patches the web client, the delete-and-repost method remains the most reliable fix. For posts with many replies, use the mobile app to edit and preserve alt text without losing the conversation.