How to Upgrade WordPress Theme Without Losing Customization
Updating your website’s theme to the latest version is highly recommended, as it ensures you have all the latest features and stay up to date with security patches. Generally, updating your theme wipes out all customization — before making any changes, make sure you back up your site so you can easily revert if something goes wrong.
Back Up Your Theme Files
Before we get started, you need to back up your database and current theme, since there’s a chance something could go wrong while replacing and updating theme files.
Updating the Theme Automatically
WordPress 3.7 allows you to automatically upgrade your theme without manual updates. This automatic feature only works for themes downloaded from the WordPress official theme directory — if using a third party theme, follow their specific update instructions.
Uploading and Replacing an Existing Theme
Most theme providers require manually uploading a new version to replace an older one. If you try uploading a version that’s already in your themes directory, you’ll get an error since you can’t have two folders with identical names — either rename your old theme first, or delete it and upload a backed-up new version.
Libra Web Solutions service include: WordPress Theming Services, WordPress Customization Services, WordPress Plugin Development Company, WordPress Upgrade Services.
1. Using a Child Theme
Updating automatically is the easiest way to get the latest version with enhanced functions and security fixes, but it’s risky if you customized your parent theme directly. Using a child theme lets you make customizations without touching the parent theme, so you don’t lose anything while updating.
2. Preserve Tweaks If You're Not Using a Child Theme
If you’ve customized your parent theme directly, copy your tweaks and paste them into the latest theme after updating. Identify all your changes by comparing the current theme with the latest version, then replicate them.
3. Updating Your WordPress Theme to Preserve the Tweaks
Download your current theme and the latest theme to your computer via FTP or a WP file manager plugin. Compare your current theme with the latest version, copy the tweaks over, and verify everything is retained and works fine once done.
Make sure you back up your content and database, so you won’t lose anything even if something goes wrong. If you have any queries contact us at info@librawebsolutions.com. At Libra Web Solutions we successfully transformed around 80 ecommerce ventures for customers from UK, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Singapore since 2008.
Sharmila specializes in business development, lead generation, and customer service. She has an interest in bringing traditional businesses online, and currently handles business development and customer support at Libra Web Solutions.