In this article, we'll show you how to manage and update your Shopify themes to take advantage of the latest features and bug fixes.
Automatic theme updates
Shopify does not offer automatic updates for themes. However, if you purchased a theme from the Shopify store, you can get the latest version of that theme for free. Keep in mind that installing a new version of a theme will not update the theme you are currently using. You will need to reconfigure and customize the new version of the theme.
Get the latest version of a theme
Here's how to get the latest version of a theme you purchased from the Shopify store:
- Go to the Shopify admin.
- Click on 'Online store' then on 'Themes'.
- On the 'Themes' page, click 'Theme Store'.
- On the theme store page, click 'My Purchases'.
- On the 'My Purchases' page, click 'Actions' for the theme you want to update, then click 'Download Latest Version'.
Warning
It's important to note that any changes you made to your current theme's code will not carry over to the new theme version. You will need to make these changes again in the new version of the theme.
Updated Free Shopify Themes
If you're using a free Shopify theme and want to update it, you can do so by following these steps:
- Go to the Shopify admin.
- Click on 'Online store' then on 'Themes'.
- On the 'Themes' page, find the theme you want to update and click 'Actions'.
- Next, click 'Duplicate' to create a backup copy of your theme.
- Once the backup copy is created, click 'Actions' again for the original theme and choose 'Update'.
Noticed
As with updating paid themes, any changes you make to the code of your current free theme will not carry over to the new theme version.
The complexity of updating a custom theme
Once you've made custom changes to your Shopify theme, the update process can become more complicated. This is because the code changes you have made are not automatically transferred to the new version of the theme. This means you'll need to integrate them into the new theme manually, which may require coding skills and a thorough understanding of the theme structure.
The advantages of using an agency
Using an agency that specializes in Shopify services can make this process much easier. Here are some of the reasons why you might consider using an agency:
- Technical Expertise: Agencies typically have teams of expert developers who understand the structure of Shopify themes and how to modify them effectively.
- Save time: By outsourcing this task to an agency, you can save time and focus on other important aspects of your business.
- Quality Assurance: An agency can also test the updated theme to ensure that it works properly and that there are no unexpected issues.
In short, while updating a custom theme can be a complex and tedious task, hiring a Shopify agency can help you navigate this process more easily and ensure professional results.
