---
title: install_themes
description: "## What is the install_themes permission in WordPress? The install_themes permission allows users to add new themes to a WordPress site. However, this permission can not be used unless you also have an extra permission such as [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/) or [switch_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/switch_themes/).…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/install_themes/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / WordPress Permissions
---

# install_themes

## What is the install_themes permission in WordPress?

The install_themes permission allows users to add new themes to a WordPress site.

However, this permission can not be used unless you also have an extra permission such as [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/) or [switch_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/switch_themes/). If you only have install_themes, you will not be able to access any areas of the WordPress dashboard:

![Install Themes Permission](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/install-themes-permission.png)
Install Themes Permission

If you do have the install_themes permissions, plus the [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/links/edit_theme_options) or [switch_themes](https://publishpress.com/links/switch_themes) permissions, you will be able to go to "Appearance" and click "Add New". From here, you can browse through the WordPress theme directory and install and theme you want.

![Add New Theme](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/add-new-theme-1024x674.png)
Add New Theme

---

## Who has the install_themes permission?

The install_themes permission is available on single WordPress sites and on multisite networks.

By default, the install_themes permission is only given to [Super Admins](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin) and Administrators.

Users not in these roles are not allowed to install new theme files.

---

## How to control who has the install_themes permission

You can control who has the install_themes permission by installing the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin.

- After installing [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities), go to "Capabilities" in your WordPress admin menu.
- Using the dropdown in the top-left corner, choose the role you want to edit.
- Click the "Themes" tab.
- Check the box "install themes".
- Click "Save Changes".

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/install-themes-1024x474.png)
Install Themes Wordpress

---

## All the WordPress theme permissions

- [delete_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/delete_themes/)
- [edit_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_themes/)
- [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/)
- [install_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/install_themes/)
- [switch_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/switch_themes/)
- [update_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update_themes/)