Theme Downloader
A handy dandy plugin that tries to let you download any installed theme as a zip file.
The facts
- Rating
- 3.6★ from 14
- Active installs
- 100+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 8 Oct 2014
- Added
- Jun 2013
- Requires WP
- 3.4
- Tested up to
- WP 3.9.40
- Downloads
- 29,619
Our analysis
AI-assistedTheme Downloader is a WordPress plugin that facilitates the downloading of themes as Zip files. It is designed for users who have the capability to edit themes and need an easy way to back up or transfer their themes, including any modifications made to the code.
The plugin works by allowing you to create Zip archives of your themes, which can then be reinstalled on other WordPress sites. It is particularly useful for those who work with GPL-licensed themes, ensuring compliance with the licensing terms while managing theme files.
Best for: This plugin suits WordPress users who need to manage and back up their themes easily.
What it does well
- ✓Allows downloading of themes as Zip files
- ✓Supports modifications made to theme code
- ✓Useful for users with edit_themes capability
Where it falls short
- •Last updated in October 2014, may not support newer WordPress versions
- •Limited to users with specific permissions
- •Directory score indicates potential issues
Verdict
Theme Downloader offers a straightforward solution for downloading and managing themes, but its outdated status may limit its effectiveness for current WordPress installations.
From the developer
George Stephanis's own description of Theme Downloader, lightly tidied.
Most themes are licensed under the GPL, which makes it completely legal for you to do whatever you like with them, so long as you don’t restrict what other people, in turn, can do with them. This is a type of copyleft license, and it means that you are free to redistribute any GPL-compliant themes any way you like!
Unfortunately, it’s often hard to actually do. While it’s easy to upload a theme as a zip file, it’s difficult to get the theme back afterwards! This plugin aims to make that a bit easier.
If your server is capable of making Zip archives, and your user account has the edit_themes capability, then this plugin will let you download any of your themes — including any modifications you’ve made to the code of it — as a Zip file that you can then reinstall on any other WordPress site!
Enjoy! 🙂
P.S. — If the author of your theme didn’t license it on a GPL-compliant license, make sure you’re not breaking any licensing terms by what you do with the theme once you’ve downloaded it!