How to Show Desktop Theme on Mobile Devices in Blogger

If you install a responsive custom Blogger template, you may need Blogger to use the same main template on desktop, tablets and mobile devices.

Some Blogger themes support a separate legacy mobile theme. When that mobile version is enabled, visitors on phones may see a simplified Blogger layout instead of the custom design you installed.

This guide explains how to show the desktop theme on mobile devices in Blogger, when you should use this setting and why selecting Desktop is often necessary for responsive custom Blogger templates.

How to show the desktop Blogger theme on mobile devices using Mobile Settings

Why Does Blogger Show a Different Theme on Mobile?

Some older generations of Blogger themes support two different presentations:

A main desktop theme
A separate simplified mobile theme

If the separate mobile theme is enabled, visitors using smartphones may not see the complete custom template that you installed.

This can result in missing:

Custom navigation
Homepage sections
Widgets
Custom colors and typography
Template-specific features

If your custom Blogger template is already responsive, you generally want mobile visitors to use that same responsive template rather than Blogger's separate legacy mobile layout.

What Does "Desktop" Mean in Blogger Mobile Settings?

This setting can be confusing.

Selecting:

Desktop

does not automatically mean your website will become a fixed-width desktop site on smartphones.

It tells Blogger to use the main theme instead of replacing it with Blogger's separate mobile theme.

If your installed template uses responsive CSS and media queries, that same main theme can still automatically adapt to:

Desktop computers
Laptops
Tablets
Smartphones

When Should You Show the Desktop Theme on Mobile?

Use the Desktop option when your Blogger template is already mobile responsive and its documentation instructs you to use the main template on all devices.

This is common with modern third-party Blogger templates that already contain responsive CSS such as:

@media (max-width: 800px){
  /* mobile layout */
}

The template itself handles the mobile design, so Blogger does not need to replace it with another theme.

How to Show Desktop Theme on Mobile in Blogger

Then follow these steps:

Open Theme.
Find your current theme.
Click the dropdown arrow beside Customize.
Select Mobile Settings.
Under the mobile theme option, select Desktop.
Click Save.

The basic path is:

Blogger → Theme → ▼ beside Customize → Mobile Settings → Desktop → Save

Test Your Blogger Website on a Phone

After saving the setting, open your website on a mobile device.

Check that your custom template now appears correctly.

Test important areas including:

Header and logo
Mobile navigation
Homepage
Blog posts
Sidebar or mobile drawer
Images
Buttons
Footer

Your template should automatically adjust its layout to the available screen width.

Why Is This Important After Installing a Custom Blogger Template?

A responsive custom template may contain its own:

Mobile menu
Responsive grid
Mobile typography
Responsive images
Custom widgets
Mobile breakpoints

If Blogger replaces that design with a separate legacy mobile theme, some of those features may disappear.

This is why many custom Blogger template installation guides include the Desktop mobile-setting step after installing the XML template.

If you still need to install the template, see our Blogger template installation guide.

Desktop Theme Does Not Mean Non-Responsive

This is the most important point to understand.

There is a difference between:

Desktop Blogger theme setting

and:

Desktop-only website design

A responsive Blogger template can be selected as the Desktop theme while still looking completely different on smaller screens.

For example, the same theme may display:

Desktop:
4-column grid

Tablet:
2-column grid

Mobile:
1-column grid

That behavior comes from the template's responsive CSS, not Blogger's separate mobile theme.

When Should You NOT Select Desktop?

Do not force the main theme on mobile if your current template is old and not responsive.

A non-responsive desktop theme may cause:

Tiny text
Horizontal scrolling
Content extending beyond the screen
Menus that are difficult to use
Buttons that are too small to tap

In that situation, Blogger's mobile theme may provide a better experience until the main template is replaced or made responsive.

How to Check Whether Your Blogger Template Is Responsive

Open the website on a desktop browser and gradually reduce the browser width.

A responsive theme should reorganize its layout instead of simply becoming smaller.

For example:

Columns should stack.
Images should shrink correctly.
Navigation should adapt.
Text should remain readable.
Horizontal scrolling should not be required.

For complete responsive troubleshooting, see our Blogger mobile responsive guide.

Why Can't I Find Mobile Settings in Blogger?

The Mobile Settings option is not available with every Blogger theme.

Some newer Blogger themes such as responsive theme generations do not use a separate mobile template at all.

They automatically adapt the same theme to different screen sizes.

In that situation, Blogger may hide or disable the separate Mobile Settings option because there is no legacy mobile theme to switch between.

Which Blogger Themes Have Separate Mobile Settings?

Older Blogger theme generations can provide a separate mobile-theme configuration.

Examples historically include themes based on:

Simple
Picture Window
Awesome Inc.
Watermark
Ethereal
Travel

Newer responsive themes such as Contempo, Soho, Emporio and Notable are designed to adapt responsively and do not rely on the same separate mobile-theme system.

Third-party templates can vary depending on which Blogger theme architecture they use.

Why Does My Site Look Different on Mobile?

If your custom template looks correct on desktop but completely different on a phone, check:

Theme → Mobile Settings

If Blogger's separate Mobile theme is selected, try changing it to:

Desktop

when your installed template is confirmed to be responsive.

Then save the setting and test the website again.

Why Are Widgets Missing on Mobile?

When Blogger uses a separate mobile layout, some widgets and custom theme components may not appear in the same way they do in your main template.

Switching to the responsive main theme can resolve this when the custom template was designed to handle both desktop and mobile itself.

However, a custom template may also intentionally hide certain widgets on small screens to reduce clutter.

Check the template CSS before assuming every hidden desktop component should also appear on mobile.

What About ?m=1 in Blogger URLs?

You may notice Blogger URLs containing:

?m=1

when accessing the site from mobile devices.

The mobile parameter and your theme's responsive appearance are related Blogger behaviors, but they should not be treated as the same SEO issue.

You generally do not need risky JavaScript or redirect hacks simply to remove ?m=1.

For the full explanation, see our Blogger ?m=1 URL guide.

Mobile Setup Checklist for a Custom Blogger Template

Install the Blogger XML template.
Open Blogger → Theme.
Open Mobile Settings if your theme provides the option.
Select Desktop when your custom template is responsive.
Save the setting.
Open the website on a smartphone.
Check navigation and homepage sections.
Open an individual post.
Check images and widgets.
Confirm there is no horizontal overflow.

Questions About Showing the Desktop Blogger Theme on Mobile

How do I show the desktop theme on mobile in Blogger?

For compatible Blogger themes, go to Theme, click the dropdown beside Customize, open Mobile Settings, select Desktop and save the setting.

Should I select Desktop for a responsive Blogger template?

Often yes. If the custom template is already responsive and its documentation requires the main theme on all devices, selecting Desktop prevents Blogger's separate legacy mobile theme from replacing it.

Will Desktop mode make my website non-responsive?

No, not when the installed theme itself is responsive. The template's CSS can still adapt the layout for tablets and smartphones.

Why can't I see Mobile Settings in Blogger?

Some newer responsive Blogger themes do not use a separate mobile template, so the legacy Mobile Settings option may not be available.

Why does my Blogger template look different on mobile?

If your theme supports separate mobile settings, Blogger may be displaying its mobile theme instead of your custom main template. If your custom template is responsive, select Desktop and test again.

Should I use Desktop mode with an old non-responsive theme?

Usually no. A fixed desktop-only theme can be difficult to use on phones. Use this setting when the main template is already designed to respond correctly to small screens.

Final Recommendation

If you install a modern responsive custom Blogger template, check the Blogger Mobile Settings immediately after installation.

When your template documentation specifies it, choose:

Theme → Mobile Settings → Desktop

This allows the same custom responsive template to control the appearance on both desktop and mobile devices instead of Blogger substituting a separate legacy mobile design.

Do not confuse “Desktop” in Blogger's Mobile Settings with a desktop-only website. A properly responsive Blogger template will still adapt itself to phones and tablets.