> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mainwp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage Plugins

> Manage WordPress plugins across all Child Sites from one place. Install from WordPress.org or upload ZIP files, activate, deactivate, delete, update, and set automatic updates for trusted plugins.

The Manage Plugins feature gives you centralized control over WordPress plugins across all your child sites. Install plugins on multiple sites simultaneously, activate or deactivate plugins in bulk, run updates, and configure automatic updates for plugins you trust.

## What You'll Accomplish

* Install plugins from WordPress.org or ZIP files on multiple sites
* Activate and deactivate plugins across selected sites
* Delete unused plugins from child sites
* Update plugins individually or in bulk
* Configure automatic updates for trusted plugins

## Prerequisites

* MainWP Dashboard installed and activated
* At least one child site connected to your Dashboard
* Administrator access to your Dashboard site

***

<iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p0pB7mXoIYw" title="Manage Plugins - Video Tutorial" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

***

## Install Plugins

MainWP provides three methods for installing plugins:

| Method        | Best For                                                                                                              |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| WordPress.org | Free plugins from the official directory                                                                              |
| Upload ZIP    | Premium plugins or custom plugins                                                                                     |
| Favorites     | Quick installation of commonly used plugins (requires [Favorites Extension](https://mainwp.com/extension/favorites/)) |

### Install from WordPress.org

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Install Plugins">
    Go to **MainWP > Plugins > Install Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search for plugin">
    Under the **Install from WordPress.org** tab, use the **Search plugins** field to find the plugin.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-529848.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=894e8970555ee701dbb77979fe66f965" alt="Plugin search field on Install Plugins page" width="1401" height="835" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-529848.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select plugin">
    Locate the plugin in the search results and select **Install this Plugin**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select sites">
    In the [Select Sites](/getting-started/mainwp-user-interface) box, choose the sites where you want to install the plugin.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set installation options">
    Configure the installation options:

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-71cc03.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=d061a306eaf3693ffe8ebf899f8f51c1" alt="Review the Installation Options" width="1707" height="820" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-71cc03.png" />

    | Option                      | Description                                         |
    | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
    | Activate after installation | Automatically activate the plugin after installing  |
    | Overwrite existing version  | Replace the plugin if already installed on the site |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install">
    Click **Complete Installation**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Install by Upload

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Install Plugins">
    Go to **MainWP > Plugins > Install Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open upload tab">
    Click the **Upload .zip file** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload file">
    Click **Upload** and select the plugin ZIP file from your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select sites">
    In the [Select Sites](/getting-started/mainwp-user-interface) box, choose the sites where you want to install the plugin.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set installation options">
    Configure the installation options:

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-562865.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=9189a6f2b9f023dd7f2d85145e4ed358" alt="Review the Installation Options" width="1700" height="712" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-562865.png" />

    | Option                      | Description                                         |
    | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
    | Activate after installation | Automatically activate the plugin after installing  |
    | Overwrite existing version  | Replace the plugin if already installed on the site |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install">
    Click **Complete Installation**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Your server must allow uploads of the plugin's file size. Check **Maximum File Size** on your [Server Information](/troubleshooting/resolve-system-requirement-issues) page.
</Note>

### Install from Favorites

Select and install plugins from your saved favorites using the [MainWP Favorites Extension](https://mainwp.com/extension/favorites/). Once you have a list of favorite plugins, this provides the quickest way to set up new sites.

***

## Activate Plugins

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Manage Plugins">
    Go to **MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select view">
    From the dropdown menu, select **Per Site** or **Per Item** view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter inactive plugins">
    In the Search Plugins section, set **Status** to **Inactive**. Optionally enter a plugin name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select sites">
    In the [Select Sites](/getting-started/mainwp-user-interface) box, choose the sites to search.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search">
    Click **Show Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select plugins to activate">
    Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to activate.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-644473.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=53f5f3e3c0b3960fa936e8044d6d4b93" alt="Manage Plugins table with checkboxes for site and plugin selection" width="1706" height="968" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-644473.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply action">
    In the **Bulk Actions** menu, select **Activate** and click **Confirm**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Deactivate Plugins

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Manage Plugins">
    Go to **MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select view">
    From the dropdown menu, select **Per Site** or **Per Item** view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter active plugins">
    In the Search Plugins section, set **Status** to **Active**. Optionally enter a plugin name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select sites">
    In the [Select Sites](/getting-started/mainwp-user-interface) box, choose the sites to search.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search">
    Click **Show Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select plugins to deactivate">
    Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to deactivate.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-288761.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=2eeff2f0b3c227540b7a7650905ede2d" alt="Manage Plugins table with active plugins selected for deactivation" width="1705" height="978" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-288761.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply action">
    In the **Bulk Actions** menu, select **Deactivate** and click **Confirm**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Delete Plugins

You can delete active and inactive plugins. If a selected plugin is active, MainWP deactivates it during deletion.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Manage Plugins">
    Go to **MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select view">
    From the dropdown menu, select **Per Site** or **Per Item** view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter plugins by status">
    In the Search Plugins section, set **Status** to **Active**, **Inactive**, or **Active & Inactive**. Optionally enter a plugin name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select sites">
    In the [Select Sites](/getting-started/mainwp-user-interface) box, choose the sites to search.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search">
    Click **Show Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select plugins to delete">
    Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to delete.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply action">
    In the **Bulk Actions** menu, select **Delete** and click **Confirm**.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-353eae.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=d393422e7f611704c38c0f9df58ddd87" alt="In the Bulk Actions menu" width="1700" height="912" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-353eae.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Update Plugins

Synchronize your child sites before running updates to ensure all available updates are displayed.

### Update All Plugins on All Sites

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Plugin Updates">
    Go to **MainWP > Updates > Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update all">
    Click **Update All Plugins (Update All Sites)**.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-7aa470.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=2e6cd2513a683561811e33e26229016a" alt="Update All Plugins button on the Updates page" width="1722" height="1107" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-7aa470.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Confirm the update when prompted.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Update a Single Plugin on All Sites

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Plugin Updates">
    Go to **MainWP > Updates > Plugins Updates**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select view">
    Set **Show updates per** to **Item**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate plugin">
    Find the plugin you want to update.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-40e442.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=a0c476d5eb81356dd44dd2d9ab5cb83f" alt="Plugin row showing Update All button for updating across sites" width="1715" height="1127" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-40e442.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update">
    Click **Update All** in the plugin row.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Update All Plugins on a Single Site

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Plugin Updates">
    Go to **MainWP > Updates > Plugins Updates**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select view">
    Set **Show updates per** to **Site**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate site">
    Find the child site you want to update.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-f00099.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=edd8fe7fb37261806273384051c194a0" alt="Locate the Child Site that you want to update" width="1730" height="1131" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-f00099.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update">
    Click **Update All** in the site row.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Update a Single Plugin on a Single Site

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Plugin Updates">
    Go to **MainWP > Updates > Plugins Updates**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select view">
    Set **View updates per** to **Site**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate site">
    Find the child site and expand its row.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update plugin">
    Find the plugin and click **Update Now**.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-e5d671.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=cbc4fde7280dd4601686e68106962468" alt="Locate the Plugin that you want to update" width="1704" height="1041" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-e5d671.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## View Plugin History

Use the **History** action to review plugin change activity by site and by day.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open a plugin row with History">
    Open plugin rows in **MainWP > Plugins > Manage Plugins**, **MainWP > Updates > Plugins Updates**, or plugin rows on an individual site Operations page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the history modal">
    Click **History** in the plugin row.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review activity details">
    Review actions in chronological order. Each record shows the action, user, source (**Dashboard** or **WP Admin**), timestamp, and version change when available.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch history views">
    Use **Day History** to group actions by date, then use **Plugin History** to switch to plugin-grouped actions for that day.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Load older records">
    Click **Load More** in the modal to display earlier activity.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If no logs are available, you may see "This plugin has no recorded activity in Dashboard Insights." Check [Network Activity](/sites/network-activity) and [Dashboard Insights](/dashboard/overview/dashboard-insights) settings to confirm logging and retention are configured.
</Note>

***

## Configure Automatic Updates

Automatic updates require two configuration steps: enabling the feature and marking plugins as trusted.

### Enable Auto Updates

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Settings">
    Go to **MainWP > Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Updates Settings">
    Locate the **Updates Settings** section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable">
    Set **Plugin automatic updates** to **Install Updates**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save Settings**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Mark Plugins as Trusted

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Advanced Auto Updates">
    Go to **MainWP > Sites > Plugins > Advanced Auto Updates**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter plugins">
    Use the **Status**, **Trust Status**, and **Keyword** filters to find plugins.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search">
    Click **Show Plugins**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select plugins">
    Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to trust.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB/images/dashboard/sites-plugins-c85c94.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R7R-L7ewC3wZVtTB&q=85&s=fccafb1b3b61cd5dd120dcc953094d02" alt="Once the list of Plugins appear" width="1709" height="972" data-path="images/dashboard/sites-plugins-c85c94.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply trust">
    Select **Trust** from the **Bulk Actions** menu and click **Apply**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Marking a plugin as Trusted means you trust this plugin and allow MainWP to update it automatically.
</Note>

### Auto Updates Timing

* Updates may take up to 24 hours after MainWP detects a new version
* Auto updates require WP Cron to be triggered regularly
* Consider using Uptime Robot to ping your Dashboard site for reliable cron execution

***

## Self-Check Checklist

* [ ] Plugins install successfully on selected sites
* [ ] Plugin activation and deactivation work across sites
* [ ] Plugin updates complete without errors
* [ ] Auto updates are configured for trusted plugins
* [ ] Deleted plugins are removed from child sites

***

## Related Resources

* [Check for Abandoned Plugins](/sites/plugins/check-for-abandoned-plugins-and-themes) - Identify outdated plugins
* [Favorites Extension](https://mainwp.com/extension/favorites/) - Quick plugin installation from saved lists
* [Manage Updates](/sites/updates/manage-updates) - Update management overview