> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://staylime.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://staylime.com/docs/theme-management/how-to-update-your-shopify-theme.md).

# How to update your Shopify theme

A guide to update the theme to the latest version.

Keeping your theme up to date ensures your store benefits from the latest features, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements.

The most up-to-date version is always available on the Shopify Theme Store.

### Minor vs. major updates

Before updating, it's important to understand how Shopify handles different types of updates:

**Minor updates** (e.g. v13.0.0 → v13.0.1) Shopify automatically transfers your visual settings and safe code customizations.

**Major updates** (e.g. v13.0.0 → v14.0.0) The theme's core architecture changes significantly. Visual settings (colors, fonts) and custom code are not transferred automatically — you will need to reconfigure them manually.

***

### Update automatically ⚙️

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Check notifications on Shopify

In your Shopify admin, go to **Online Store > Themes**. If a new version is available, you'll see a notification in your theme library.

<figure><img src="https://2798262541-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F7SDIiatjQ7RGqq2Io8z4%2Fuploads%2FhlNUT6nl3wYA5yyG4YRu%2FScreenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2013.05.55.png?alt=media&amp;token=9cad4a20-5749-4026-a3bb-c1024ecb8dd7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Review update details

* Click the notification to view more details about the update.
* Select **View release notes** to read what's new in the release.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add to theme library

Click **Add to theme** **library** to download and add the updated version to your Shopify store.

The updated version will now appear in your theme library, ready to customize and publish.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

### No update notification? 🔍

This usually happens if the theme was previously uploaded as a ZIP file (which breaks the connection to the Theme Store) or if there are code customizations conflicting with Shopify's update system.

In this case, reinstall the theme manually:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Create a backup

Always duplicate your current theme before updating.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Go to **Online Store > Themes.**
2. Open the Actions dropdown for your current theme, select **Duplicate.**
3. Rename the duplicated file.
   {% endhint %}
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Install the latest theme version

{% hint style="success" %}
**Steps:**

1. Visit the Shopify Theme Store and find your them&#x65;**.**
2. Click **Add a new copy** to add the latest version.
   {% endhint %}
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Transfer your settings

{% hint style="warning" icon="octagon-exclamation" %}
**Major update (e.g. v13 → v14)**

Do NOT copy the `settings_data.json` file. The architecture has changed — pasting old code will break the new theme and cause errors in Theme Editor.

**Reconfigure your Theme Settings (Colors, Typography) manually in the Theme Editor.**
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Minor update (e.g. v13.0.0 → v13.0.1)**

You can safely copy `settings_data.json` from the `Config` folder of your old theme into the new one via **Edit code**.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2798262541-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F7SDIiatjQ7RGqq2Io8z4%2Fuploads%2Fdnpg9VPx6INFJKaRJ2GV%2FScreenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2013.13.56.png?alt=media&amp;token=7db8e9b1-8ab0-4fc5-b22d-7d64bf846d85" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://2798262541-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F7SDIiatjQ7RGqq2Io8z4%2Fuploads%2FykKls864laJiBIeDESiI%2FScreenshot%202026-06-11%20at%2013.14.55.png?alt=media&amp;token=bb042f62-3b64-47ff-b21b-186ce3a443c9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**For custom page templates:** Re-create your custom templates in the new theme — they won't exist there by default. Create a template with the exact same name, then copy the contents of the JSON file from the `Templates` folder of your old theme.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Re-install apps

Apps that add code to your theme files will need to be reinstalled or re-enabled in the new version.

{% hint style="info" %}
Find the app documentation in the [App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/) to follow the installation instructions.

If you're unfamiliar with this process, you can go to **Apps >** click **View details** to find the support email for that Shopify app.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

### Related

* [Troubleshooting guide](/docs/troubleshooting/troubleshooting-guide.md)
* [Updating themes — Shopify Help Center](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/managing-themes/updating-themes)


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