How to Install a Blogger Template: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Install a Blogger Template in a Few Simple Steps

Installing a new Blogger template lets you completely change the design and layout of your Blogger or Blogspot website. Whether you downloaded a free Blogger theme or purchased a premium template, the installation file is usually provided as an .xml file.

This guide explains how to back up your existing theme, upload a new Blogger XML template and complete the basic setup after installation.

Before Installing a New Blogger Theme

Before changing your template, back up your current Blogger theme so you can restore it if needed.

1. Sign in to your Blogger dashboard.
2. Select the blog you want to update.
3. Open Theme.
4. Click the dropdown arrow beside Customize.
5. Select Backup.
6. Click Download and save the theme file to your computer.

If your new template was downloaded as a .zip file, extract it first and locate the Blogger theme file ending in .xml.

How to Upload a Blogger Template

The easiest way to install a custom Blogger theme is to upload the provided XML template file from the Theme section.

1. Open your Blogger Dashboard.
2. Go to Theme.
3. Click the dropdown arrow beside Customize.
4. Select Restore.
5. Choose the .xml template file from your computer.
6. Wait for Blogger to apply the new theme.
7. Open your website and check the homepage, posts and mobile layout.

Install a Blogger Template Using Edit HTML

If you need to install the template manually, you can replace the existing Blogger theme code through the HTML editor.

1. Open the downloaded .xml template file in a plain text editor such as Notepad.
2. Select all of the template code and copy it.
3. In Blogger, go to Theme → Edit HTML.
4. Click inside the editor and select the existing theme code.
5. Replace it with the new XML template code.
6. Click Save.

Use a plain text editor rather than a word processor so the template code is not modified by additional formatting.

What to Do After Installing the Template

Installing the XML file adds the main design, but most Blogger templates still require some basic configuration.

• Upload Your Logo: Open Blogger's Layout section and configure the header or logo widget.
• Set Up Navigation: Add the correct links to the main menu and other navigation areas.
• Configure Homepage Sections: Set up featured posts, labels, sliders or other widgets included with your template.
• Update Social Links: Replace demo links with your own social media profiles.
• Customize Colours & Fonts: Use the Theme and Layout options supported by your template.
• Check Mobile Layout: Review your website on desktop, tablet and mobile screen sizes.

Follow the Template-Specific Setup Guide

Different Blogger templates include different widgets and features, so installation is only the first step. After uploading the theme, follow the documentation provided on the individual template page to configure its menus, homepage sections and special features correctly.

For example, e-commerce, business and real estate Blogger templates may require additional setup for product sections, pricing tables, property listings or checkout options.

Having Trouble Installing a Blogger Template?

If the template does not save or display correctly, first confirm that you uploaded the correct .xml file and that the download was fully extracted. You can also restore your previous theme from the backup you created before installation.

If your BloggerTheme9 purchase includes installation support, refer to the template's product page or contact us for assistance with the setup.