Yes this is absolutely bonkers that it has not been changed/improved to match the behaviour of InDesign as we all want for SO MANY YEARS!! Egor Chistaykov (admin) finally explained the confusion with the developers in this separate uservoice thread, please check it out https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/48498587--apply-to-all-checkbox-or-replace-all-button-ar

I miss the "apply to all" option that Illustrator used to have when first opening a document where the links could not be found. A "replace all instances" option in the link palette would also be highly useful.

I think "Relink all instances" in InDesign is a much-needed feature. If Illustrator had the same functionality, there would be no need to repeat the replacement process over and over again for one type of link.
We strongly request implementation.
Please consider this.

--japanese--
インデザインにある「すべてのインスタンスを再リンク」が求められている機能であると思います。イラストレーターに同じ機能があれば一種類のリンクに対して何度も置換作業を繰り返す必要がなくなります。
実装を強く要望します。

Ideally, all of InDesign’s various relinking functions should be migrated to Illustrator.

One feature suggestion was to have a relink of images like indesign, in which the same image is grouped and when relinking, the images that had dislocations were updated. Is it possible?

I don't understand that this is a function that can be done in InDesign but not in Illustrator. Why?

+1 for this function. Often I lay out print runs placing the same images across a large artboard. Having to relink every time for each iteration is slow.

Can we please get a replace all instances button when replacing linked images in Illustrator?

I work with links daily, and occasionally, I need to relink all of the images based on changes or a file path being restructured. Sometimes, there are multiple of the same link that I have to cycle through and replace individually. It would be fantastic if, instead of going through each link and replacing them, there was a relink all instances option like Indesign has.

Dear Adobe Development Team,

I am reaching out to you to submit a feature request for Adobe Illustrator. I would like to propose the implementation of a function that allows for the automatic replacement of multiple links with a single click.

Function Description:

The function I propose is an integrated option within Adobe Illustrator that enables the selection of multiple links simultaneously and replaces them with a new linked file, eliminating the need for individual replacement. By selecting the desired links and applying this function, Illustrator would automatically update all selected links with the new linked file, significantly streamlining the workflow.

Benefits for Users:

This function would save valuable time for users working with multiple links in their Illustrator projects. By being able to replace multiple links with a single click, the need for manually repeating the replacement process for each individual link would be greatly reduced. This would improve efficiency and productivity for users, especially in projects involving a large number of links.

Examples and Use Cases:

- A graphic designer working on a product catalog with linked images. With the proposed function, the designer could easily select all the linked images in the catalog and replace them when the product images are updated, without the need for individual replacements.

- An illustrator working on a book with numerous linked illustrations. If there is a need to modify or enhance a specific illustration, the proposed function would allow for selecting all linked instances of that illustration and replacing them simultaneously, ensuring consistency throughout the book.

I firmly believe that the implementation of this function in Adobe Illustrator would greatly benefit users by improving efficiency and saving time in the link replacement process.

I sincerely appreciate your consideration of this request and commend your ongoing dedication to the development of Adobe Illustrator. I hope you can assess the feasibility of this function and consider its implementation in future updates.

Thank you.

Related to this request:
Batch relink to CC libraries
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/31902295

Someone mentioned once you have your file how you want it to save it then move the images to another folder to "confuse" Illustrator then it will let you update all links. That is just not possible when you are sharing a server across a company. They really just need to make it like InDesign where:
A) it just remembers
or
2) you have import options
or
iii) you can relink via a folder you know everything is in, whether it is many instances of one link or many different links

Not seeing my post yesterday, so here's the shortened work-around:
1. Ensure new image size identical (at least proportionally) ro one to be replaced
2. Rename old (geekily, I put '404' on the end)
3. Open Illustrator layout file
4. Due to the linked file name change, Illustrator can't find it, so check the 'Apply to all' box and select your new file
5. Save the layout (Save as if duplicates are needed)
6. Remove the '404' (or undo whatever you chose to do) from the old file name.

Not ideal, but works for my step/repeat files

I work old-skool, in other words not using Libraries, but saved images in an image folder on the disc/server, preferably in a 'job' folder... So until they sort out this shortcoming, here is a solution...

To batch relink, either rename the folder or the image, I favour putting 404 on the end of the name (incase I forget to remove later, I'll remember what 404 is for)...

Now when I open the Illustrator file, it can't find the link, so I can direct it to a new folder or image checking 'Apply to all'... Save the file and remove the 404 from the files or folders you added it to.

Not ideal, but works...

Re-linking multiple images at a time would be a great time saver when you inevitably unlink all your files because a folder moved or you switch to a new computer. This is also broken when re-linked to a CC Library.

Meanwhile, check the external solution:
https://github.com/dumbm1/ai_scripts/blob/master/ord/fastRelink/fast_relink.jsx

When the same .psd is placed multiple time, Ai can't replace all in one go. It had to be done one by one...

I can just say that issues with Illustrator Links window are MANY and should be among top priorities for Adobe developers. Just use what you already have in InDesign and copy the way it works to Illustrator, like grouping same links, ability to relink all links by selecting group, adding go to link option on right click... just try to use right click on any link in illustrator, and you will see how much we are missing out, spoiler alert, it does nothing... or adding Alt + click option to relink so you can relink all, anything will be better than having no options what so ever. By the way I've been working in printing industry for 15 years and currently I'm working as a graphic designer at McCann Serbia, and this issues is really really really affecting our workflow, as it is forcing us to not use Illustrator in scenarios where it should be easier to use than InDesign. Hopefully we will get some update on these issues somewhat soon. It's really a big issue for Illustrator users in my opinion. Thank you for your time.

Definitely needs to be an option to relink all instances of an placed image. In some of my documents, I have many (sometimes 100's) instances of a placed file. I have to select the file and place each individual instance and it is very time consuming and cumbersome. If I decide not to go ahead with relinking all of the instances, I get stuck in a loop of still having to cancel each relink of each placed image. There is no way to get out of it. I do mock ups of cheer bows that have placed images of rhinestones to make it look realistic. If I want to change the colour of the rhinestones, I have to relink each individual rhinestone.

Just change other artwork to the same name as your linked file for temporary.. then change it back once you have saved your files. that's what i did, I'm on printing business too.

my files have multiple placeholder images which i'd like to change in bulk.
I want to be able to select multiple images and relink with the same file - with 1 click (bulk)
Attached demo action - "Relink All" > selected file will replace all selected images on file.