How to keep WordPress widgets when switching themes

When you switch from one theme to another in WordPress you will discover that all widgets you had is gone. Is there a way to keep the widgets when switching themes?

Short answer is – no. The widgets are set specifically for the theme.

But it is often quite simple to resolve the situation. After you switch theme, go to Appearance -> Widgets and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Here you will find Inactive widgets. You can simply pull them back into your new theme’s widget position and get them back where you want them.

WordPress widgets

However, if the widgets you were using was part of the theme you switched from, they will not be available when using the new theme so in that case you need to find an alternative plugin or widget.