A fresh start, step by step
Your new Blogger theme.
Let’s make it yours.
From the first download to the final details, follow these seven steps. At step five, choose either an XML upload or the Edit HTML method to install your template.
Download your template
Open your chosen template’s page and use its download link. Save the ZIP package somewhere easy to find, such as your Downloads folder.
Find the XML file
Extract the ZIP using your computer’s built-in extraction tool or an archive utility. Open the extracted folder and locate the file ending in .xml. Keep any included documentation handy.
Open your blog in Blogger
Sign in to Blogger and select the blog you want to update from the blog selector. Check the blog name, then open Theme in the left menu.
Save your current theme
Open the menu beside Customize on the Theme page. Choose Backup, then Download. Store this file separately from your new template so you can restore your previous design if needed.
A theme backup saves the design. Back up posts, pages, and comments separately, and keep a copy of custom widget code before changing themes. See Blogger’s backup instructions →
Install your new template
Return to the theme menu and choose Restore, then Upload. Select the new template’s .xml file from the extracted folder and wait for Blogger to finish. Menu labels may vary with your interface language.
Use one installation method: upload the XML file above, or paste its code using Edit HTML below. You do not need to do both.
Choose the extracted .xml theme file, not the ZIP archive. Theme installation uses the Theme menu; Import Content in Settings is for blog content.
Method 2 → Copy and paste
Install through Edit HTML
You can also install the template by replacing the existing theme code with the complete code from your new XML file.
This replaces your current theme code, including custom edits. Save your current theme and copy any custom widget code first. Return to the backup step →
- Open the new template file. Open the extracted .xml file in a plain-text editor such as Notepad or a code editor. Use the original file, not a browser preview or a word processor.
- Copy the complete code. Select all text in the file and copy it. On Windows, use Ctrl+A then Ctrl+C; on Mac, use Command+A then Command+C.
- Open Edit HTML in Blogger. Select the correct blog, open Theme, and choose Edit HTML from the menu beside Customize.
- Replace the existing code. Click inside the code editor, select all of its existing code, and paste the complete new template code with Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). Replace the old code entirely rather than adding the new code above or below it.
- Save and check the result. Click Save and wait for Blogger to confirm the change. If it reports an error, check that the full XML was copied and note the exact message. After saving successfully, open your blog and continue with the layout and review steps below.
Make the layout your own
Open Layout to review your gadgets. Edit their settings, arrange supported sections, and save your changes. Follow the template’s documentation for menus, social links, logos, and any special widgets.
Check your blog before sharing
Open your blog and check the homepage, a post, navigation links, and images. Try both a desktop and a phone-sized screen. Keep your previous theme backup until you are happy with the result.
A new look. Ready for your story.
Once everything looks right, save a backup of your customized theme for next time.
A few helpful answers
Hit a small bump?
Send us the theme name, your blog URL, and the exact error message if you need help.
Get in touchDo I need to use both installation methods?
No. Choose either Restore / Upload or Edit HTML. Both use the Blogger template XML. Back up first, then continue to Layout and review your blog after your chosen method saves successfully.
The Edit HTML method shows a save error. What should I check?
Make sure you copied the entire original XML file from a plain-text editor and replaced all of the old code. Do not paste formatted text or only part of the template. If saving still fails, keep the exact error message and contact us with the theme name before changing unfamiliar code.
I cannot find an XML file. What should I do?
Make sure you have extracted the ZIP and checked its subfolders. Your computer may hide file extensions. Read the included documentation if there are multiple theme versions, or contact us with the template name if the file is missing.
Blogger could not restore the theme. What next?
Check that you selected the Blogger theme XML rather than the ZIP or a content backup. Extract a fresh copy of the download and try again. If it still fails, copy the exact error message and contact us before editing the XML.
Why does my blog look different from the demo?
Demo sites use their own posts, images, menus, and widget settings. Review Layout and the template documentation to configure the features included with your design.
Can I return to my previous design?
Use Restore in the Theme menu and upload the theme backup you saved before installation. Review your gadgets and any custom settings afterward; they may need to be adjusted separately.
More from Blogger Help: Theme settings Layouts and gadgets