How can I install my custom-made theme on a wordpress.com blog?

Question

I've only ever worked with WordPress on my own server. I'm using wordpress.com for my development environment, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to upload my themes since as far as I know I have no FTP access...

I'm sorry if this is something that should be obvious, but all I'm finding in searches is how to FTP themes into personal WP installs, which I already know.

Answer 1

This is what Wordpress.com says:

Because of the way WordPress.com’s technical infrastructure is designed, we are not able to support uploading of custom WordPress themes on our service.

You are only allowed to pick from pre-existing themes.

Answer 2

It seems that you need to know this difference: WordPress.com and WordPress.org

Excerpt:

WordPress.org (self-hosted) Benefits

• Ability to upload custom themes
• Ability to upload plugins
• Complete control to change code if you’re technically minded

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And also, from the .com documentation: Uploading Custom Themes

Excerpt:

Because of the way WordPress.com’s technical infrastructure is designed, we are not able to support uploading of custom WordPress themes on our service.

However...