How to update a theme without losing changes

Every purchase includes lifetime updates: fixes, compatibility with new WordPress versions and new features. Your settings and content are stored in the database, so an update doesn’t touch them. Custom code is safe only in a child theme — changes made directly in the theme files are lost.

Before you update

1. Make a backup. Use your host’s backups or a plugin like UpdraftPlus. Read more about WordPress backups.
2. Read the changelog — it may contain notes for this version.
3. Test on a staging site first if the site is busy or heavily customized.

Where to get the new version

• Gumroad — we email you when an update is out. Download the latest version from your Gumroad Library.
• ThemeForest — download it from ThemeForest → Downloads, or use the Envato Market plugin to update from the dashboard.

Option 1: upload over the old version

1. Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New → Upload Theme.
2. Select the new theme zip and click Install Now.
3. WordPress asks whether to replace the current version — choose Replace active with uploaded.

Option 2: FTP

1. Unzip the new theme archive.
2. Connect to the server via FTP and open wp-content/themes/.
3. Delete the old theme folder and upload the new one.

Option 3: automatic updates

Activate the theme in Theme Panel → Activate Theme with your license key — updates will then appear in Dashboard → Updates.

Something looks wrong after the update?

1. Clear all caches: caching plugin, server cache and the browser — see Changes don’t show up.
2. Update the bundled plugins in Appearance → Install Plugins.
3. Elementor sites: go to Elementor → Tools → General and click Regenerate Files & Data.

Still broken? Restore the backup, take a screenshot of the issue and open a support ticket.