---
title: switch_themes
description: "## What is the switch_themes permission in WordPress? The switch_themes permission allows users to choose a new active theme for a WordPress site. If you have the switch_themes permission, you will be able to go to \"Appearance\" and click \"Add…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/switch_themes/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / WordPress Permissions
---

# switch_themes

## What is the switch_themes permission in WordPress?

The switch_themes permission allows users to choose a new active theme for a WordPress site.

If you have the switch_themes permission, you will be able to go to "Appearance" and click "Add New". From here, you can click "Activate" and choose a new theme for your site.

![Activate Theme](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/activate-theme-1024x394.png)
Activate Theme

---

## Who has the switch_themes permission?

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

By default, the switch_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 change the theme on a site.

---

## How to control who has the switch_themes permission

You can control who has the switch_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 "switch themes".
- Click "Save Changes".

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/switch-themes-1024x491.png)
Switch Themes

---

## All the WordPress theme capabilities

- [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/)