Updating to the latest version without the Pro features of the Theme Updater is a manual process.
This approach involves three main steps:
- Retrieving the newest theme version
- Transferring the content from the previous version
- Publishing the new version
How to download a fresh copy of the theme?
To start, click on the name of the theme you want to update or download a fresh copy for:
Responsive Parallax Retina Launch Pacific
Unsure of the theme name? Please check out our guide here:
What theme version do I have?
Downloading via the Theme Store
Applicable for Responsive, Parallax, Retina, Launch, and Pacific only.
Click here for the steps
- Open the Theme Store and login to your Shopify account
- Once logged in, use the search icon and type in the theme you need to update
- Open the theme page
- In the theme page, click on the "Add latest theme version" button
This should start the installation process. The latest version (without any customization) will be added as a separate theme in your theme library.
Downloading via the Theme Updater app
- Cost: None - Subscription is not required for downloading a fresh theme copy
Applicable for all supported themes.
Click here for the steps
- Install Theme Updater.
- Register your theme with Theme Updater.
- In the Theme Updater, look for the Theme updates section and click on Manage themes
- In the Theme updates page, look for the theme you want to download, and click on the [ ... ] button under Actions column
- Click Install default theme
Transfer content to the latest version
1. Update theme settings
2. Migrate custom code
3. Compare files
4. Prepare for future updates
For any custom code carried over or future additions made, adding a comment that is easily searchable allows you to search and locate any custom code quickly when making future updates. Comments will not affect the code. Simply add <!-- and --> on either side of your comment, like so:
<!-- This is a comment. Custom code.-->
Be specific in your comment—add a note for the purpose, date, author, etc.
If you're adding code to the styles.css.liquid file, we recommend inserting it at the bottom of the page.
5. Reinstall apps
Publishing the new version
Once you've migrated all your settings and custom code, you're set to go. Hit Publish on the new version of the theme.
Tips and best practices for manual method
- Keep your current theme open in a separate window or take a few screenshots as a visual reference.
- Have all your image files (logo, favicon, banner pictures) easily accessible in a local folder so that when you need to add those again through the theme customizer, you can find and upload them easily.
- Take note of all of your social media account links and information (user names, client #, etc.) so that they're easy to copy and paste from one place.
- Set up a simple text document that includes as much info as possible about all the current theme settings that you want to reproduce, including any colors and fonts you've used throughout the current site (e.g. button color = #f9068f, Headline text = Google web font 'Lato', 20px, etc.); it's often easier to refer to the one document rather than switching back and forth between the theme customizer of the current site and the theme customizer of the new one in preview mode.
- If you've made any changes or additions to your actual theme files (styles.css.liquid, index.liquid, etc.), see if you can locate and make note of these in a separate text file, so that you can reproduce them all in the new version (a ‘changelog’ like this is a good thing to maintain at all times, as it will help you keep track of all your customizations and make any future upgrades easier).
- As you customize your new theme upgrade, work your way from the top-down, starting with the top bar/header section: re-add your logo and favicon, then re-add your images in the Home Page / Home Page Slider sections, and then deal with the fonts and colors, and finally the newsletter and social media info.
Finally, don't forget that you can also take this opportunity of the theme upgrade to change things up a bit in your shop (add some new pictures, try out some new colors, etc.) and take your time; just keep working in preview mode and then when you're finally ready to make the switch, hit the 'Publish' button.
FAQ
Q: Can I switch to the new theme automatically, without losing my customizations?
Q: Can I selectively add features from the updated theme to my current theme?
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