---
title: update_themes
description: "## What is the update_themes permission in WordPress? The update_themes permission allows users to update themes to a new version. If you have the update_themes permission, you will see this \"Updates\" link in the WordPress admin area: ![Update Themes](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/update-themes.png) Update…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update_themes/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / WordPress Permissions
---

# update_themes

## What is the update_themes permission in WordPress?

The update_themes permission allows users to update themes to a new version.

If you have the update_themes permission, you will see this "Updates" link in the WordPress admin area:

![Update Themes](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/update-themes.png)
Update Themes

- On this screen, you will see any themes that have a more recent version.
- Check the box and click the "Update Themes" button. You will update this theme.

![Update 2020](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/update-2020-1024x534.png)
Update 2020

If you also have the [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/) permission, you will be able to go to "Appearance" and then "Themes" in the WordPress admin menu. On this screen, you can also view and apply theme updates.

![Update Available Themes](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/update-available-themes-1024x322.png)
Update Available Themes

---

## Who has the update_themes permission?

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

By default, the update_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 update the site's theme files.

---

## How to control who has the update_themes permission

You can control who has the update_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" area.
- Check the box "update themes".
- Click "Save Changes".

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/update-themes-1024x531.png)
Update Themes 1

---

## 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/)

## All the WordPress update permissions

- [update_core](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update_core/)
- [update_plugins](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update-plugins/)
- [update_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update_themes/)