> 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
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.
{% 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 theme**.**
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 %}
**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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