How to install theme on magento 2 (for dummies)

[impactcolor]

Hi I've researched this on a bunch of threads and can't find a simple answer to this question.

I'd like to install a theme I downloaded for magento 2.  

This is what I've done.  

1. I launched magento in it's native default and it works with the template.

2. I have a template I downloaded from online for magento 2.  

The template folder has app directory.

And another directory full package which contains everything.  I tried copying app folder to server.  It didn't work.

Then I tried copying full package and now I get an error: 'frontend/Templatemonster/theme' component already exists

The answers I've found online are:

"Contact developer for instructions" or a link to the magento documentation which doesn't really outline an install only how to create a theme from scratch.  

I'm looking more for something like:

Replace such and such directories and change these files etc.  

[vantanhy]

this article can help you: http://devdocs.magento.com/guides/v2.0/frontend-dev-guide/themes/theme-general.html

[lorisbricard]

I tried too but I can't find any response. If somebody can help me to install thème on magento 2.0 or 2.1.

[clary_pollack]

I agree. For a CMS platform, it surely is difficult to get any answers. I'm used to Joomla and have never had this much difficulty finding an answer that works.

[Manthan Dave]

Don't copy full app directory to server.

As app have two sub directories like design and code.

So open your theme directory first -> got to app directory -> go to design directory in it

Over there you will find frontend directory -> in that your template directory

Now same Upload this app/design directory on server app/design directory

then after run below commands in sequence :

php bin/magento setup:upgrade
php bin/magento setup:di:compile
php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy -f
php bin/magento cache:clean
php bin/magento cache:flush

Then open your magento 2 admin panel then go to content -> design -> themes

you will see your theme name listed over there.

It will Works !!!

[Vicent_Nguyen]

Step 1: Choose a new preferred Theme and install the Theme
Option 1: Find your preferred Magento 2 theme vendor through Google suggestion and install the theme on your server
Option 2: Find the Magento 2 theme under Magento Marketplace
On the Admin panel, click Find Partners & Extensions.
Under Magento Marketplace, click Visit Magento Marketplaces.
Select the Magento 2 theme that you prefer and install the theme on your server. You can follow the installation guide and user guide to complete installtion without errors.
Step 2: Setup the new theme
Magento 2.0.x
On the Admin sidebar, Stores > Settings > Configuration.
Magento 2.1.x or above
On the Admin sidebar, Content > Design > Configuration > Select your current theme > .
Open the Theme section

In the Design Theme field, select the new Theme as you want
When complete, click Save Config.

It comes to the end of tutorial: How to Install a New Theme in Magento 2.