{"id":1792,"date":"2020-04-12T09:02:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-12T09:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shopthemedetector.com\/blog\/?p=1792"},"modified":"2026-05-07T07:08:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T07:08:55","slug":"how-to-update-a-shopify-theme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shopthemedetector.com\/blog\/how-to-update-a-shopify-theme\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Update A Shopify Theme"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updating a Shopify theme means moving to a newer version of the same theme - preserving your settings, fonts, colors, and most layout choices, while picking up the developer\u2019s latest fixes and features. The danger is custom Liquid code: any direct edits to .liquid files get overwritten when you update, which is why every Shopify theme update should start with a duplicate-and-backup step. This guide walks through the full process, including the lesser-covered question of when updating is the wrong move and you should actually switch themes (especially if you\u2019re on a legacy Vintage theme and Shopify has been nudging you toward OS 2.0).<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/div>
1<\/div>
Always duplicate your current theme before applying any update - this is your safety net if something goes wrong.<\/div><\/div>
2<\/div>
Shopify notifies you in the admin when a theme update is available, but only for themes bought through the Shopify Theme Store.<\/div><\/div>
3<\/div>
Custom Liquid code and app-injected snippets will need to be re-applied after a theme update, so document everything before you start.<\/div><\/div>
4<\/div>
Test your store on both desktop and mobile after updating - check the checkout flow, navigation, and any custom sections.<\/div><\/div>
5<\/div>
If your theme is a Vintage (pre-OS 2.0) theme, an \u201cupdate\u201d may not be available - that path is to migrate to an OS 2.0 theme, which is closer to switching than updating.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Why Shopify Themes Need Updating<\/h2>\n

Theme developers release updates for three main reasons, and all of them affect your store directly.<\/p>\n

Security patches.<\/strong> Outdated code is the most common way stores get compromised. When a theme developer finds a vulnerability, the fix goes out in an update. If you\u2019re running an old version, you\u2019re exposed.<\/p>\n

Bug fixes and compatibility.<\/strong> Shopify regularly updates its platform - new checkout features, updated APIs, changes to how sections work. Theme developers push updates so their themes stay compatible. Skip too many updates and you\u2019ll start seeing things break, especially with apps that rely on theme integration.<\/p>\n

New features and performance improvements.<\/strong> Updates often include speed optimizations, new section types, better mobile layouts, or support for Shopify\u2019s latest features like predictive search or enhanced filtering. These are the updates that actually make your store better, not just keep it running.<\/p>\n

A good rule of thumb: if an update is available, apply it. The longer you wait, the bigger the gap between your version and the current one, and the harder it gets to update without issues.<\/p>\n

Vintage Themes vs OS 2.0: Update or Switch?<\/h2>\n

This is the question most store owners don\u2019t realize they need to ask before clicking \u201cupdate.\u201d Shopify\u2019s theme architecture changed in 2021 with the launch of Online Store 2.0 (OS 2.0). Themes from the original Theme Store era are now called \u201cVintage\u201d themes - and the upgrade path from Vintage to OS 2.0 isn\u2019t an \u201cupdate,\u201d it\u2019s effectively a switch.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re on a Vintage theme if:<\/strong> you bought your theme before 2021, your theme name doesn\u2019t appear in the current Shopify Theme Store catalog, or your sections-based customization is limited to the homepage (not product, collection, or other pages).<\/p>\n

You\u2019re on an OS 2.0 theme if:<\/strong> you can add and rearrange sections on every page type (homepage, product page, collection page, blog post, and more), and the theme uses JSON templates rather than .liquid templates for layout.<\/p>\n

For Vintage themes, the developer may still be releasing security patches, but no new features. Most Vintage themes have an OS 2.0 equivalent - Shopify and the original developers usually built one. Migrating to the OS 2.0 version is closer to switching themes than updating, because the file structure is fundamentally different. You\u2019ll set up sections again, re-upload settings, and likely re-apply any custom code from scratch.<\/p>\n

Practical decision: if you\u2019re on a Vintage theme and the developer offers an OS 2.0 version, plan a proper migration project (allocate 1-2 days minimum, more if you have heavy customizations). If they don\u2019t, this is a real \u201cswitch themes\u201d decision - see our roundup of the best Shopify themes<\/a> for current OS 2.0 options.<\/p>\n

How To Check for Theme Updates<\/h2>\n

Shopify makes this straightforward if your theme came from the Shopify Theme Store.<\/p>\n

For Shopify Theme Store Themes<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Log in to your Shopify admin and go to Online Store > Themes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  2. If an update is available for your active theme, you\u2019ll see a notification banner at the top of the page or a badge next to the theme name.<\/li>\n
  3. Click the notification to review what\u2019s included in the update - Shopify shows release notes so you can see what changed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Shopify checks for updates automatically. You don\u2019t need to do anything special to trigger the check. If there\u2019s no notification, your theme is current.<\/p>\n

    For Third-Party Themes<\/h3>\n

    If you bought your theme outside the Shopify Theme Store (from ThemeForest, Out of the Sandbox, Pixel Union, etc.), Shopify won\u2019t notify you about updates. You\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n