diff --git a/proto/anki/media.proto b/proto/anki/media.proto
index 76d42931a..ddf1c5fb0 100644
--- a/proto/anki/media.proto
+++ b/proto/anki/media.proto
@@ -36,7 +36,13 @@ message TrashMediaFilesRequest {
   repeated string fnames = 1;
 }
 
+// AddMediaFileRequest now supports both inline byte data and file path references.
+// Using oneof ensures backward compatibility - exactly one must be provided.
+
 message AddMediaFileRequest {
   string desired_name = 1;
-  bytes data = 2;
+  oneof data_source {
+    bytes data = 2;
+    string file_path = 3;
+  }
 }