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How to Install ACF Pro?

Published in WordPress Plugin Installation 3 mins read

Installing ACF Pro primarily involves downloading the plugin file and uploading it directly to your WordPress website. This method ensures you get the latest version of the premium plugin and is a standard approach for adding commercial plugins to your site.

Quick Installation Guide

To install ACF Pro, you will download the plugin as a ZIP file from your ACF account and then upload it through your WordPress admin dashboard. This process is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes.

Step-by-Step Installation of ACF Pro

Follow these steps to successfully install Advanced Custom Fields Pro on your WordPress site:

1. Download the ACF Pro Plugin File

First, you need to obtain the plugin file.

  • Log in to your account on the official Advanced Custom Fields website.
  • Navigate to your account dashboard or downloads section.
  • Download the latest version of the ACF Pro plugin, which will be provided as a .zip file (e.g., advanced-custom-fields-pro.zip). Do not unzip this file.

2. Access Your WordPress Admin

  • Open your web browser and go to your WordPress site's admin login page (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
  • Enter your username and password to log into your WordPress dashboard.

3. Navigate to the Plugins Section

Once logged in:

  • In the WordPress admin sidebar, hover over Plugins.
  • Click on Add New.

4. Upload the Plugin

On the "Add Plugins" page:

  • At the top of the page, you will see a button labeled Upload Plugin. Click it.
  • Click the Choose File button. This will open a file selection dialog.
  • Locate and select the advanced-custom-fields-pro.zip file you downloaded in Step 1.
  • After selecting the file, click Install Now. WordPress will then upload and unpack the plugin.

5. Activate ACF Pro

  • Once the installation process is complete, WordPress will display a success message: "Plugin installed successfully."
  • Below this message, you will see a button that says Activate Plugin. Click this button to enable ACF Pro on your website.

Important Considerations After Installation

After installing and activating ACF Pro, there are a few crucial follow-up steps to ensure you receive updates and support.

Activating Your License Key

ACF Pro requires a valid license key for automatic updates and access to premium support. While the plugin will function without the license key, you won't receive updates, which are vital for security and new features.

  • After activation, navigate to ACF > Updates in your WordPress admin sidebar.
  • Enter your license key in the provided field and click Activate License.

Why Manual Upload for ACF Pro?

Unlike many free plugins that can be installed directly from the WordPress.org plugin directory within your dashboard, premium plugins like ACF Pro are typically installed via manual upload. This is because they are not hosted in the public WordPress repository and require a purchase and a license for use. The manual upload method is a standard and secure way to install any premium WordPress plugin.