Why this matters

A common support issue is updating a theme and then finding custom code changes are missing in the new version.

Theme updates do not automatically carry over all manual code edits, so a short checklist can prevent rework.

5-step safe update flow

Duplicate your current live theme first. Keep one untouched backup before any update work.
List your custom edits. Note edited files (for example custom CSS, snippets, or section changes).
Install the new theme version as unpublished. Do not replace live immediately.
Copy custom code carefully. Move each needed change into the new version and test page-by-page.
Run a final QA pass before publishing. Check homepage, product page, cart, mobile menu, and key apps.

Tip: if your store has many custom edits, migrate in a staging copy first and only publish after sign-off.

This workflow keeps updates safer and reduces downtime after version changes.