The Shopify Theme Updater app is an exclusive tool developed and maintained by Out of the Sandbox for Out of the Sandbox and Pixel Union Shopify themes.
Click here to view FAQs about our Theme Updater App Pro Plan.
FAQ Categories
- How to install & use the Theme Updater App
- Theme Updater App Features
- Subscription Plans & Pricing
- Theme Updater App & Theme Customizations/Apps
How to install & use the Theme Updater App
How do I install the Theme Updater App from Out of the Sandbox?
To get started, visit the app page here. Click the “Install App” button and enter your store URL and login, if necessary. On the next screen, grant the app permission and you should be directed to the app.
How do I check if there are updates available?
Once you’ve installed the new Shopify Theme Updater, simply access the app from under the “Apps” menu.
Click the “Shopify Theme Updater” link to open the updater. The app will then check all of your installed themes (this may take a few moments). If you see a yellow bar on a listed theme, this means there’s an update available. You can also click the “changelog” link here to see what features have been added — which can be helpful in determining whether or not you want to proceed with the upgrade.
How do I upgrade using the app?
Simply click “Update theme” under any theme with a yellow bar and the newest version of that theme will be installed as a separate and unpublished theme on your store.
If you haven't registered your theme yet, you will need to do so before you can update it!
Does this overwrite my current theme?
Nope! The current version of your theme will remain unaltered during an updating process. Instead, the app will create a new copy of your theme with today’s date which will get added to your 'More Themes' panel in an unpublished state. You can then publish this when you’re ready.
Is there anything I should check before publishing the updated theme?
Yes! We always recommend previewing the newest theme version in your site and testing that everything still works. Also note that if any new features were added between the older and current version of the theme, these will need to be set up on the theme copy but will carry over on future updates.
How do I preview a theme without publishing it?
To preview the theme without publishing it, simply go to Sales Channels > Online Store > Themes and click the “Actions” icon next to the theme you’d like to preview.
How do I publish the new version once I’m happy with it?
Go to Online Store > Themes and click 'Actions' > 'Publish'.
Oops, I realized after I published that there’s an issue. Can I revert back?
Yes you can! Your theme that was previously live will then sit on your 'More Themes' panel. Simply go to Sales Channels > Online Store > Themes and click 'Actions' > 'Publish' on any previous version.
Why is my theme showing up as unregistered?
We have a detailed article on theme registration and how to register here.
Can I use this app to change from one theme to another?
At this time, the app only supports going from one version of any Out of the Sandbox or Pixel Union theme to the newest version of that SAME theme. It’s not possible to upgrade from one theme to another, unfortunately.
I have a really old version of a theme. Will this work?
Yes. However, as with any theme upgrade using this app, you should always preview your store before publishing it to see if there are any issues or new features that need to be set up.
For Out of the Sandbox themes: if you are using a version prior to Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+, or Turbo 2.0+ custom code will not be carried over and you will need to configure your homepage using Shopify Sections.
For Pixel Union themes: if you are using a version prior toAtlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ custom code will not be carried over and you will need to configure your homepage using Shopify Sections.
Can I use this app on non-Out of the Sandbox themes?
The Theme Updater only supports Out of the Sandbox themes and Pixel Union themes.
I'm updating from an old, pre-Sections theme to a version with Sections, will everything still transfer over?
For Out of the Sandbox themes: if you are using a version prior to Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+, or Turbo 2.0+ you will need to reconfigure your homepage theme options.
For Pixel Union themes: if you are using a version prior to Atlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ you will need to reconfigure your homepage theme options.
This is a one-time process that is required to switch to Shopify's updated theme editor.
Using Shopify's updated Sections platform, the home page and internal pages can be easily configured using the robust set of built-in settings available in the theme editor. While configuring and ordering elements on the home page used to have some tricky steps, the setup process is now optimized to be setup quickly and easily. All of your product, collection and navigation configurations will remain from your current shop as you reconfigure the home page sections and templates settings.
Why do other themes appear in the app dashboard?
Select Shopify theme developers have partnered with Out of the Sandbox to integrate with our theme updater app. Because of this, you may see other themes, which are not developed or sold by Out of the Sandbox, in your app dashboard. You're always welcome to try out or purchase other themes, though please note that you will need to contact the appropriate theme developer for any support on updating or other issues.
Do I need to use this app in order to update my theme?
While the Theme Updater app makes the updating process quicker, easier, and includes exclusive features, you can also upgrade your theme to the latest version by manually updating. The instructions for manually updating their theme (with some tips) can be found here.
Theme Updater App Features
What are the Features of the Theme Updater App Basic Plan?
The Basic plan includes these features:
- Keep your theme up to date and move settings over automatically
- Email notifications when a new version of your theme is available
- Transfers basic customizations when possible
- Exclusive discounts
What are the Features of the Theme Updater App Pro Plan?
The Pro plan includes these features:
- Keep your theme up to date and move settings over automatically
- Email notifications when a new version of your theme is available
- Transfers basic customizations when possible
- Receive priority theme support
- View template file customizations within a theme
- Automatically include new or updated languages
- Exclusive discounts
Subscription Plans & Pricing
How much does the Theme Updater App cost?
The Theme Updater App has four plans available to choose from which are all subscription based: Basic Plan (monthly - $9USD/month), Basic Plan (annually - $79USD/year), Pro Plan (monthly - $14USD/month), Pro Plan (annually - $129USD/year).
How are the subscription plans billed?
Monthly subscription plans are charged initially for the first month, with recurring charges billed every 30 days.
Annual subscription plans are charged at point of purchase and do not recur automatically.*
If you are on annual subscription plans, the plan will expire at the end of your year, and you can then either choose to renew/downgrade/cancel. This can be done within the app itself.
*If you're on a pre-purchased subscription, meaning you've purchased a subscription for Priority Theme Support (which also includes the Pro Plan) as an add-on with your theme purchase through our website, your purchase will recur automatically, annually.
Is there a Free trial?
With every theme purchase, you receive 1 year of free updating through the Theme Updater App, which begins on the theme purchase date. However, after your free trial expires, you will need to select a subscription plan in order to continue using the Theme Updater App for updating your theme and take advantage of exclusive features.
Learn more about the Theme Updater App 1-Year Free Updates with Theme Purchase here
How do I find the expiry date for my subscription plan?
The expiry date for either the free trial or one of the subscription plans can be found at the very top of the introduction page within Theme Updater App:
How do I know what plan I'm on?
Whether you're on the Free trial, Basic plan (monthly or annually) or Pro plan (monthly or annually), you can see what your current plan is at the very top of the introduction page within Theme Updater App:
Why did you start charging for some features?
Our Theme Updater App requires a large amount of ongoing development work to maintain, which also has associated costs. It has to be constantly kept updated to meet with changing theme code from both our end as well as when Shopify rolls out new features. By charging for the app we'll be able to continue offering the high level of value it brings to our merchants, and hopefully even more!
I was previously on a free trial, will I automatically get charged once the trial is over?
If it has been a year since the you purchased your theme to begin your 1 year free trial, when you go to update next, you'll see the page where you can select a plan (Basic monthly or yearly, Pro monthly or yearly) - at that point, you’ll be prompted to accept the charges once you opt-in.
Do you offer refunds?
We do not. All subscription charges are final and cannot be reversed. If you cancel in the middle of a billing period, you will not be charged in the future, but there are no refunds for partially used time periods, even if it is a single day.
Theme Updater App & Theme Customizations/Apps
Will my custom CSS, HTML, JavaScript and Liquid carry over?
For Out of the Sandbox themes: if you are upgrading from Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+, Turbo 2.0+, or Artisan 1.0+, basic custom code may be able to get carried over to the updated theme.
For Pixel Union themes: if you are upgrading from Atlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, Superstore 1.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ basic custom code may be able to get carried over to the updated theme.
If the app finds any custom code or modifications to the original files, it will attempt to replicate them in your new updated version. If the customizations are complex and the app is unable to carry them over fully intact, it will identify the files in question and notify you, so that you have the opportunity to apply your past customizations to the updated templates manually.
For Out of the Sandbox themes: unfortunately if you are using a version older than Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+ or Turbo 2.0+, custom code will not be carried over.
For Pixel Union themes: unfortunately if you are using a version older than Atlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ custom code will not be carried over.
Although the Theme Updater App does have the ability to transfer over customized code, customizing code can still result in some issues:
- The higher the number of customizations you’ve added to your theme, the longer the app will take to process your updates.
- Themes with high customization counts are also more likely to fail or have blocks of code that cannot be carried over automatically.
- Complex code customizations may be unable to be transferred over automatically.
- The theme updater app won’t be able to address conflicts with the default theme code and your custom code in current or future theme versions.
- The Out of the Sandbox team generally doesn’t troubleshoot someone else’s custom code; if it’s causing issues our advice will be to remove it, so best to keep it to a minimum and be prepared to work only with your own developer to address specific issues that come up with customizations you’ve made.
- Finally, please note that we never guarantee that the app will be able to carry over all customizations.
We always recommend customizing theme code as little as possible. If you or your developer have made extensive or complex customizations directly to the theme files then these customizations will need to be manually transferred to the updated theme.
Will any custom code added by apps carry over?
For Out of the Sandbox themes: if you are upgrading from Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+, Turbo 2.0+, or Artisan 1.0+ custom code from apps may be able to get carried over to the updated theme.
If you are upgrading to a version prior to Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+ or Turbo 2.0, you may need to reinstall apps after updating your theme, but this will depend on the app in question. For more support with apps and upgrading, contact the app developer. Be sure to test the new version of the theme in preview mode to see if your apps still work.
For Pixel Union themes: if you are upgrading fromAtlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, Superstore 1.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ custom code from apps may be able to get carried over to the updated theme.
If you are upgrading to a version prior to Atlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ you may need to reinstall apps after updating your theme, but this will depend on the app in question. For more support with apps and upgrading, contact the app developer. Be sure to test the new version of the theme in preview mode to see if your apps still work.
Will my custom page templates and snippets carry over?
For Out of the Sandbox themes: if you are upgrading from Parallax 3.0+, Retina 4.0+, Mobilia 5.0+, Responsive 6.0+, Turbo 2.0+, or Artisan 1.0+ custom page templates will be carried over however, they are carried over identically and will not contain any potential updates included in the default/original template.
For Pixel Union themes: if you are upgrading from Atlantic 12.2.0+, Empire 2.3.0+, Grid 3.5.0+, Handy 1.8.0+, Launch 6.0+, Pacific 2.5.0+, Reach 1.3.0+, Startup 7.6.0+, Vogue 2.3.0+, Superstore 1.0+, and Editions 9.5.0+ custom page templates will be carried over however, they are carried over identically and will not contain any potential updates included in the default/original template.