1.1 Preparing and Installing the Blogger Template (Install)

A Blogger template is installed by uploading a single file with the .xml extension. The process is quick, but there is one step that must not be skipped: back up the old theme first. This lesson guides you from preparation until the blog displays the new template without a warning bar.

Figure 1. Template installation flow: six steps from preparation to display test.

In This Lesson

1. 1What to prepare
2. 2Step 1: back up the old theme
3. 3Step 2: upload the template
4. 4Step 3: check the Layout
5. 5Step 4: install the license code
6. 6Step 5: basic blog settings
7. 7Step 6: test the display and common problems

What to Prepare

What to prepare	Purpose	Notes
Blogger account and a blog	Where the template is installed	A new or old blog works the same
Template file (.xml)	The template to be uploaded	Don't modify its contents; upload it as is
License code	Activates modules and removes the red bar	Provided when you obtain the template
List of label names	Used in many codes (e.g., News, Announcements)	Write them exactly as in Blogger
Logo and blog name	Display identity	Can be prepared later

Key TakeawayYou need three main things: a Blogger account, the .xml file, and the license code. The rest can follow later.

Step 1: Back Up the Old Theme

A backup is a safety rope. If something doesn't fit, you can return to the old appearance.

1. Open blogger.com, select your blog, then click Theme in the left menu.
2. Click the arrow (▼) next to the Customize button, then select Backup/Restore.
3. Click Download. Save the backup file somewhere easy to find.

Figure 2. Menu location: Theme, the arrow next to Customize, then Backup/Restore (simplified image).

Step 2: Upload the Template

1. In the same Backup/Restore window, click Upload.
2. Select the template file with the .xml extension from your computer.
3. Wait until a success notification appears. If Blogger asks what to do with the old widgets, choose delete to start clean with the template's default layout, or keep them if you want to save the old widgets.

NoteBlogger menu names may differ slightly because the interface is frequently updated. Look for the keywords Backup, Restore, and Upload.

Step 3: Check the Layout

Click Layout. You will see named sections such as Featured Posts, Sidebar, and Footer Left. The complete list is covered in Lesson 1.2. If these sections appear, the template is installed correctly.

Step 4: Install the License Code

Without an active license code, a red warning bar appears at the bottom of the screen and module features don't work. Install this code now.

Place it inLayout → License and Updates (Code) → Edit

Activates modules (hero, WhatsApp, protection, advanced Next Post) and automatic updates. Without an active license, a red warning bar appears at the bottom of the screen.

Ready-to-paste code

<script>window.AMI_UPD=window.AMI_UPD||{};window.AMI_UPD.license='YOUR-LICENSE-CODE';</script>

Steps

1. Change only the text between the quotes. Don't remove the <script> tag or the quotes.
2. Save, then open the blog with Ctrl+F5.

Step 5: Basic Blog Settings

1. Open Settings → Basic. Fill in the blog Title and Description.
2. Open Settings → Search preferences → Meta description. Fill in 100 to 155 characters about your blog. An empty homepage is a common SEO gap.
3. Make sure the blog address uses HTTPS (usually automatic).

Step 6: Test the Display and Common Problems

Open your blog and press Ctrl+F5. Make sure there is no red bar at the bottom of the screen. If there is a problem, match it with this table.

Symptom	Possible cause	What to do
Red bar at the bottom of the screen	License code not filled in or incorrect	Check Step 4; copy the code without extra spaces
File won't upload	Not an .xml template file	Upload the file with the .xml extension from the template package
Display is messy after upload	Browser still caches the old display	Press Ctrl+F5 or try an incognito window
Old widgets disappeared	You chose to delete widgets during upload	Open the backup file (Step 1) if you want to restore them
Site won't open at all	Network or DNS issue, not the template	Try another network; change DNS to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8

ExampleYou upload the template, open the blog, and see a red bar. That's a sign the license isn't installed yet. Go back to Layout → License and Updates (Code), paste the code, save, then Ctrl+F5.

ExercisePerform Steps 1 through 6 on a test blog. When done, open the blog on a phone and a laptop to make sure the red bar doesn't appear on either.