---
title: How to Enable Wishlist for Variable Products
description: Let customers save a specific variation of a variable product to their WooCommerce wishlist and see its attributes later.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/enable-wishlist-variable/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
tags:
  - Wishlist for WooCommerce
---

# How to Enable Wishlist for Variable Products

To let customers add a specific variation of a WooCommerce variable product to their wishlist, keep **Variable products** (Allow variations to be added to the wish list) ticked under **WPFactory > Wishlist > General** in [Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/). It is on by default and free: once a size or color is chosen, the wishlist button saves that exact variation.

![Wishlist button on a variable product page](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/image8.png)

## Accessing the wishlist settings

1. Go to **WPFactory > Wishlist** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Wishlist**).
2. Open the **General** tab.

![Variable products option on the General tab](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/image13-1.png)

## Enabling the option

1. In **General options**, find **Variable products**.
2. Make sure **Allow variations to be added to the wish list** is checked (the default).
3. To show the chosen attributes in the wishlist, open **Wishlist Page** and keep **Wishlist table columns > Attributes** (Show products attributes on the wish list) ticked, also on by default.
4. Click **Save changes**.

## Options

| Label | Tab | Option ID | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Variable products | General | `alg_wc_wl_allow_variations` | Yes | Free |
| Attributes (column) | Wishlist Page | `alg_wc_wl_save_attributes` | Yes | Free |

## What this means for your customers

- **Add specific variations:** on the product page, after a customer picks the attributes, the wishlist button switches to that variation. Its state shows whether that exact variation is already saved.
- **No variation chosen yet:** clicking the button saves the parent product instead.
- **See the details later:** with the Attributes column on, the wishlist shows the saved size, color or other attributes, so customers do not have to remember them.
- **One combination per variation:** as the settings note, only one combination of attributes can be saved for each variation.

## Shop and archive pages

Buttons in product listings do not have a variation selector, so they save the parent product. To let customers save an exact variation, they need to use the button on the product page.

## If it does not work

- **The parent is saved instead of the variation:** the customer clicked before choosing all attributes. Check that the option is ticked.
- **The button does not follow the selected variation:** the plugin listens to WooCommerce's standard variation form. A theme or swatches plugin that replaces that form may not send the usual events; test with a default theme.
- **Attributes column is empty:** the variation was saved before the option was on, or the Attributes column is unticked.
- **A bought variation stays on the list:** the "When purchased" auto-remove rule matches the parent product; "When added to cart" also checks the variation. See [remove wishlist items automatically](https://wpfactory.com/docs/auto-remove-wishlist-items/).

## FAQ

### Is variation support a Pro feature?

No. It is free and enabled by default.

### Can a customer save two variations of the same product?

Yes. Each variation is a separate wishlist item.

### Do I need the Attributes column?

Only to display the chosen attributes. It is also required for the [note field](https://wpfactory.com/docs/note-fields-wishlist/).

## Related guides

- [Set up the wishlist page and its columns](https://wpfactory.com/docs/wishlist-page-woocommerce/)
- [Add note fields to the wishlist page](https://wpfactory.com/docs/note-fields-wishlist/)
- [Customize the wishlist button placement](https://wpfactory.com/docs/wishlist-button-placement/)

### Get more control

This feature is free. [Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/) Pro adds drag-and-drop, arrow and dropdown sorting, copying a wishlist, hiding buttons by product tag, extra shortcodes and CSV wishlist import. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/).

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Wishlist for WooCommerce support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/wish-list-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Modify and Product Pages for Wishlist Reporting](https://wpfactory.com/docs/modify-user-product/)
- [Adding Wishlist Columns During Product Import and Export in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/wishlist-columns-import-export/)
- [How to Enable Loading Icon for Wishlist in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/enable-loading-icon-wishlist/)
- [How to Enable Multiple Wishlists in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/enable-multiple-wishlists/)
- [How to Customize Wishlist Icons on WooCommerce Product Pages](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-wishlist-icon/)

 

[![Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Wishlist-for-WooCommerce.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/)