> ## 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.

# How to install a plugin on sites that already have a certain plugin installed

> Install or update a plugin on child sites that already have a specific plugin installed, useful for premium plugins with non-standard update mechanisms.

This workflow helps you install (or re-install) a plugin on child sites that already have a specific plugin installed. This is useful when:

* A premium plugin uses non-standard update mechanisms
* You need to manually update to a specific plugin version
* You want to ensure consistent versions across sites with the same plugin

## What You'll Learn

* How to find sites with a specific plugin installed
* How to install a plugin to those selected sites

## Prerequisites

* Child sites synced with your Dashboard
* Plugin ZIP file (if uploading manually)

***

## Before Using a ZIP for Premium Updates

If a premium update is missing, first check **top-right user menu > MainWP Settings > Premium Updates** (`/wp-admin/admin.php?page=PremiumUpdates`) in MainWP Dashboard 6.2. Built-in compatibility covers many products, and **Custom Identifiers** lets you add others without a code snippet. Verify the license on the child site and sync again before deciding whether a manual installation is needed.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/5VG99MIaueCXys8l/images/dashboard/premium-updates-overview-dark.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=5VG99MIaueCXys8l&q=85&s=70d09b62afe43ebab22b8a6afd6aa7c7" alt="Premium Updates settings with the custom identifier form" width="1587" height="364" data-path="images/dashboard/premium-updates-overview-dark.svg" />

See [Premium Updates](/sites/updates/premium-updates) for setup. Use the workflow below when you need to install a vendor-provided ZIP or a specific version on selected sites.

***

## Find Sites with the Plugin Installed

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Manage Plugins">
    Go to **Sites > Plugins > Manage Plugins** (`/wp-admin/admin.php?page=PluginsManage`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch to Per Site view">
    Click **Show Plugins per Site** to switch the view.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl/images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-9641f5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl&q=85&s=d544a80c4cb37928782e523cfde176fc" alt="Change the view to Show Plugins per Site" width="1478" height="434" data-path="images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-9641f5.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select child sites">
    Select the child sites to search. For this scenario, you'll typically want to select all sites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose plugin status">
    In the **Select Status** dropdown, select:

    * **Active** - Sites with the plugin active
    * **Inactive** - Sites with the plugin installed but not active
    * **Active & Inactive** - All sites with the plugin installed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search for the plugin">
    In the **Search Options** field, type the plugin name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Show results">
    Click **Show Plugins**. The table displays all sites with that plugin installed.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl/images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-3eccf3.gif?s=b8cc3cbb86958a826778f0275d0ae663" alt="Click the Show Plugins button" width="1487" height="1018" data-path="images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-3eccf3.gif" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Install Plugin to Selected Sites

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select sites">
    Select all or some sites from the results table.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Install to Selected Sites">
    Click the **Install to Selected Site(s)** button.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/OKpZbeo5_cAajLyl/images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-4e4546.gif?s=6ad196f8412c7f4b9004716a17cad5f8" alt="Animation showing site selection and Install to Selected Sites button" width="1481" height="969" data-path="images/miscellaneous/advanced-miscellaneous-4e4546.gif" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the plugin">
    You're taken to **Plugins > Install Plugins** with the selected child sites pre-selected. Install the plugin by:

    * Searching WordPress.org and clicking Install
    * Uploading a ZIP file
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Use Cases

| Scenario | How This Helps |
| - | - |
| Manual premium plugin updates | Install a vendor-provided version ZIP on sites with the plugin |
| Downgrade plugin | Install specific older version |
| License-based plugins | Re-install after license renewal |
| Consistent versions | Ensure all sites run the same version |

***

## Self-Check Checklist

* [ ] Switched to "Per Site" view
* [ ] Selected target child sites
* [ ] Searched for plugin by name
* [ ] Selected sites from results
* [ ] Clicked Install to Selected Sites
* [ ] Installed plugin via WordPress.org or ZIP upload

***

## Related Resources

* [Find Sites Missing a Plugin](/advanced/miscellaneous/how-to-find-sites-that-dont-have-a-certain-plugin-or-theme-installed) - Sites without a plugin
* [Managing Plugins](/sites/plugins/managing-plugins-with-mainwp) - Plugin management overview
* [Premium Plugin Updates Not Detected](/troubleshooting/premium-plugin-updates-not-detected) - Update detection issues


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