When updating a WordPress theme or plugin, we've long had 2 choices. Either manually upload the updated files via FTP or install the update within the WordPress dashboard.

In general, both of these methods work pretty well – nigh of the time. FTP is fairly reliable just isn't recommended for not-technical users. Then, some themes and plugins seem to be extra finnicky when attempting to update via the dashboard.

Thankfully, there is now a more convenient solution. WordPress 5.5 introduced the ability to apply updates to a theme or plugin by uploading a ZIP file inside the dashboard. The same downloadable file that has been long used for installing software can besides be used to update it. Information technology's about time!

Today, we'll walk y'all through the procedure of updating your website'southward themes and plugins using only a Zip file.

First, a Few Technical Notes

While updating a theme or plugin via a ZIP file is adequately straightforward, there are a few technical items to keep in listen:

Test and Back Up Your Site

As always, the best manner to set up your website for updates is to test them out. This could exist washed via staging site.

In addition, brand sure to go along a current backup of your site on hand only in instance something goes wrong.

Check the ZIP

Your ZIP file should be skilful to go if you lot're downloading from the official WordPress theme or plugin repositories. However, software from other sources may require some more action on your part earlier you lot tin can upload information technology to your website.

For example, in that location are commercial themes that provide more just the installable files within a Goose egg annal. You may have to extract another Zilch archive contained within for installation/update purposes. If you're unsure, open the archive first to run across what you're dealing with.

Beware of File Upload Limits

All WordPress websites have a file upload limit. There may be occasions when a ZIP file exceeds that limitation.

In this example, you'll either have to increase the upload file size or unzip the annal and upload via FTP.

Now that nosotros have these technical details out of the way, let'south explore the update procedure.

Update a WordPress Plugin with a ZIP File

Let'southward start with updating a WordPress plugin with a ZIP file. It's nearly identical to that of a theme (which we'll get to later) – the principal difference is the upload screen's location.

In this case, we'll update Yoast SEO to the latest version. That requires united states of america to download a fresh re-create of it to our device.

1. Inside the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add together New.

2. Click on the Upload Plugin button at the top of the screen.

WordPress Add Plugins screen.

3. Next, click on the Browse button and locate the ZIP file on your device. Select it and click on Open (the look and terminology used here may exist different, depending on your device's operating system).

File Upload dialog box.

iv. You should now come across the file name displayed on the Add Plugins screen. Click the Install Now button to commencement the upload process.

The file name displayed on the Add Plugins screen.

5. Now, WordPress is going to do some detective work. It's going to check to see if the plugin is already installed (which information technology is). Once information technology sees that we already take a version of Yoast SEO, it volition give us a comparing of the existing and uploaded versions.

WordPress comparison of uploaded file and existing plugin.

In our example, WordPress correctly sees that the plugin we uploaded is a newer version. Nosotros want to go ahead and apply the update, so nosotros'll click Replace current with uploaded to finish upwardly.

half-dozen. Success! The new version of Yoast SEO was updated using a ZIP file.

Installed Plugin confirmation screen.

Update a WordPress Theme with a ZIP File

As we mentioned, the process for updating a WordPress theme with a Zippo file is pretty much identical as the one outlined in a higher place. Here, nosotros'll update to the latest version of the Twenty Twenty theme.

Here are the differences:

i. Within the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Themes.

WordPress Themes screen.

2. Click on the Add New button at the pinnacle of the screen. You lot'll be taken to the Add together Themes page. Click on Upload Theme to select the ZIP file from your device.

Steps 3 – half dozen: Repeat those listed above.

Once again, WordPress will inform us that the theme we've uploaded already exists. From there, it will point out the version departure.

WordPress comparison of uploaded file and existing Twenty Twenty theme.

Clicking on Replace electric current with uploaded will employ the theme update.

A Uncomplicated Solution for Theme and Plugin Updates

The ability to update your WordPress website's theme and plugins via a Zilch file is incredibly handy. There are several situations that arise where utilizing FTP or the automated dashboard updates either don't piece of work or aren't very convenient.

This provides us with another method that but about anyone tin do. It will make the process of maintaining your site that much easier.