Make a copy before you edit

Changes you save in the theme editor go live at once on a published theme. Work on a copy instead. You can check it in private, then publish it when it’s ready.

1. Duplicate the theme

1. In Shopify admin, go to Online Store.
2. Open the ⋯ menu on your live theme and click Duplicate.
3. The copy appears in Draft themes as “Copy of” followed by the theme’s name. Rename it from the ⋯ menu if you like, for example with today’s date.

2. Edit and check the copy

1. Click Customize on the copy and make your changes.
2. Use Preview from the copy’s ⋯ menu to click through it on your phone and computer.

3. Publish

Click Publish on the copy. It becomes your live theme, and the old one moves to Draft themes. If something is wrong, publish the old one again.

A copy holds your theme settings, sections and text. It doesn’t copy products, collections, pages, menus or files. Those belong to your store and every theme shares them.