Theme updates bring fixes, fresh features, and the security patches that keep your site safe. You can install one from the **Themes** screen, or catch up on several at once from **Updates** — whichever suits how many are waiting.

## Prerequisites

- An administrator account on your WordPress site.
- A recent backup of your site, in case anything goes sideways.
- A quiet moment — the site can look odd for a moment or two while theme files are swapped out.

## Steps

### Step 1: Update a theme from the Themes screen

In your dashboard, open **Appearance** and then **Themes**. Any theme with an update waiting shows a **New version available.** notice right on its card. Select **Update now** and WordPress installs that one theme for you.

![Update a theme from the Themes screen](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2NjksInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--601cecf2dde3cc88f7bdfc6a1db2cac43f8260c2/block_update-a-theme-from-the-themes-screen.png)

### Step 2: Update several themes from the Updates screen

Open **Dashboard** and then **Updates** to see everything that's waiting for you. In the **Themes** section, tick the themes you want — or the **Select All** box at the top of the list to take the lot — then select **Update Themes**. WordPress works through them one by one and tells you how each one went.

![Update several themes from the Updates screen](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA2NDIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--8868bfa2d3c8a94c5c7da871e92b8b270a601665/block_update-several-themes-from-the-updates-screen.png)

## Tips

- Not sure whether an update is safe? Open the **Themes** screen first — anything that isn't compatible with your version of WordPress says so on the card, and its checkbox is left out on the **Updates** screen.
- Seeing a theme you don't recognise? It's probably a default theme that shipped with WordPress. Leave it ticked and it stays current at no cost to you.
- Want to add a brand-new theme rather than update one? Use **Add Theme** on the **Themes** screen.

## Summary

You now know both routes: a single theme from the **Themes** screen, or a batch from **Updates**. Either way your themes stay current — and your site stays secure.