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MainWP Dashboard was not designed for managing WordPress Multisite networks. Many features can still work when connecting individual subsites to a MainWP Dashboard, but Multisite is outside the product’s intended architecture. Multisite testing is periodic and limited. It is not part of a continuous test program, and our Multisite feedback volume is lower than standard single-site setups. MainWP does not provide official support for Multisite setups.

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What You’ll Learn

  • How to set up MainWP with Multisite subsites
  • Which MainWP features work with Multisite
  • Known limitations and behaviors

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Setup

Install the MainWP Child plugin in the standard wp-content/plugins/ directory. You can activate it:
  • Network-wide: From Network Settings panel for all subsites
  • Per-subsite: Individually for specific subsites
As long as MainWP Child is active on a subsite, you can connect it to your MainWP Dashboard.
When adding subdomain URLs, do NOT include a leading / in the URL. Including it can result in a 403 Forbidden error. If this happens, use SFTP to delete the plugin, remove the subdomain sites from MainWP, and clear the server cache.

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Compatibility Summary

The results below reflect point-in-time checks in limited Multisite testing. They are compatibility observations, not support guarantees.

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Feature Details

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Sites Management

  • Synchronization works without issues
  • Security issue detection and fixing works
  • Site reconnection works normally

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Updates Management

Updates are detected normally, with one important behavior to understand:

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Content Management

Posts and pages work fully:
  • Publishing content (including meta) works as expected
  • Changing post/page status works
  • Deleting posts/pages works

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Plugin & Theme Management

Installing and managing plugins/themes works, but changes affect the entire network:

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Add-ons (Extensions)

MainWP extensions are not continuously tested for Multisite setups. Most extensions are expected to work, but some will likely have partial or unexpected behavior in Multisite environments. This includes backup-focused extensions such as Time Capsule. Core workflows may work, but full Multisite behavior is not guaranteed and is not officially supported.

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User Management

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Key Considerations

Before using MainWP with Multisite:
  1. Network-wide changes: Plugin and theme installations/deletions affect all subsites
  2. Duplicate updates: The same update may appear multiple times (once per subsite)
  3. User limitations: Creating users across subsites may fail if the username already exists
  4. Limited testing scope: Multisite checks are periodic and limited, not continuous
  5. Extensions risk: Extensions are not fully validated for Multisite and some will likely not work as expected
  6. Official support status: Multisite setups are not officially supported
  7. Roadmap scope: We are not currently expanding Multisite-specific functionality or support

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Support Roadmap Note

Making MainWP Dashboard fully compatible across all Multisite scenarios would require significant development and support effort. Based on current demand, this is not a planned expansion area right now. If this direction changes, this document will be updated with the new support position.

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Self-Check Checklist

  • MainWP Child activated on target subsites
  • Subdomain URLs entered without leading /
  • Sites successfully syncing
  • Understood that plugin/theme changes affect entire network
  • Understood that Multisite checks are periodic and limited
  • Understood that extension behavior on Multisite can vary
  • Understood that Multisite setups are not officially supported