November 26

How To Update WordPress Theme Without Losing Customization?

Do you need help updating your WordPress theme without losing your (epic) customizations?

Keeping your WordPress theme up-to-date is essential for security, compatibility, and accessing new features.

However, if you've customized your theme to tailor your website's appearance or functionality, you might worry about losing those changes during an update.

The good news is that you can update your theme without losing your customizations.

Our guide will walk you through the steps to ensure your website remains just the way you like it - even after updating your theme.

Remember, sometimes, simply pressing that theme update button can cause issues.

If you accidentally did that or you need any custom work, we offer a tailored WordPress theme customization service. Please get in touch with us anytime.

Why Updating Your WordPress Theme Matters

Before we dive into the how-to, let's understand why updating your theme is crucial:

1. Security Enhancements

With WordPress powering over 40% of all websites (yes, really!), it's a common target for hackers.

Outdated themes can have well-known and easily exploited vulnerabilities.

That said, updating your theme patches these security holes, protecting your site from potential attacks.

2. Improved Compatibility

WordPress and its plugins are constantly evolving.

Updates to the WordPress core or your plugins can sometimes conflict with older theme versions, leading to errors or site crashes.

Keeping your theme updated ensures better compatibility and a smoother user experience, which are both key for running a successful website or blog.

3. Access to New Features

Theme updates include new features, design improvements, and performance enhancements.

You can use these advancements to keep your website modern and efficient by updating it.

Note: You should consider changing your WordPress theme if it suddenly stops receiving updates.

Understanding How Theme Updates Work

Updating a theme in WordPress is generally straightforward:

For free themes: Navigate to Appearance > Themes, select your theme, and click Update if it's available. WordPress will handle the rest.
For premium themes: Many premium themes notify you of updates within the WordPress dashboard. However, some require manual updates, including downloading the latest version from the theme provider's website.

Note: Updating a theme replaces the old theme files with new ones. If you've modified the theme files directly, these changes will be lost during the update.

That's when this guide comes in handy. But first:

What WP Theme Customizations Are At Risk?

Not all customizations are affected by theme updates. Here's what you need to know:

Safe Customizations

Theme Customizer settings: Changes made through Appearance > Customize (like colors, fonts, and layouts) are stored in the database and won't be lost.
Widgets and menus: Your widgets, menus, posts, and pages remain intact.
Custom CSS in Customizer: CSS added via the Additional CSS section in the Customizer is safe.

At-Risk Customizations

Direct file edits: Any changes made directly to theme files (like style.css, functions.php, or template files) will be overwritten.
Inline code in theme files: Adding code snippets directly into theme files is risky during updates.

How To Update A WordPress Theme Without Losing Customizations

The best practice to preserve your customizations is to use a child theme.

A child theme inherits the functionality and styling of the parent theme but allows you to make changes that won't be overwritten during updates.

Note: Theme updates affect the parent theme, not the child theme.

Step 1: Create A Child Theme

Option A: Manual Creation

Create a new folder: In your wp-content/themes/ directory, create a new folder for your child theme (e.g., your-theme-child).
Add a stylesheet: In this folder, create a style.css file with the following header:

  /*
   Theme Name: Your Theme Child
   Template: your-theme
   */

Replace Your Theme Child with your child theme's name and your-theme with your parent theme's folder name.
Create a functions file: Create a functions.php file to enqueue the parent theme's stylesheet:


  <?php
   function child_theme_styles() {
       wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style', get_template_directory_uri() . 'https://8theme.b-cdn.net/style.css' );
   }
   add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'child_theme_styles' );
  ?>

Activate the child theme: Go to Appearance > Themes and activate your new child theme.

Option B: Using A Plugin

For beginners, using a plugin like Child Theme Configurator simplifies the process:

Install the plugin: Go to Plugins > Add New, search for "Child Theme Configurator," install and activate it.
Run the plugin: Navigate to Tools > Child Themes and follow the on-screen instructions to create your child theme.
Activate the child theme: Once created, activate it via Appearance > Themes.

Note: Even many advanced WordPress users use plugins, mainly because creating child themes is much faster.

Step 2: Transfer Customizations

If you've previously made changes directly to your theme files, you'll need to move these to your child theme.

Backup your theme files: Use an FTP client like FileZilla to download your current theme folder from wp-content/themes/your-theme/ to your computer.
Identify modified files: Compare your backup with a fresh copy of the theme to find which files you've edited. Tools like WinMerge (Windows) or Meld (Linux) can help compare files.
Copy changes to a child theme:

Template files: Copy any modified template files (e.g., header.php, footer.php) into your child's theme folder.
Functions and styles: For functions.php and style.css, copy only your custom code into the child theme's corresponding files. Do not overwrite these files entirely.

Step 3: Import Customizer Settings (If Necessary)

Customizations made via the Theme Customizer may not carry over automatically. To transfer these settings:

Install the Customizer Export/Import plugin: Go to Plugins > Add New. Search for "Customizer Export/Import," install it, and activate it.
Export settings: With your parent theme active, go to Appearance > Customize. Click on Export/Import in the Customizer menu. Click Export to download a .dat file of your settings.
Activate the child theme: Go to Appearance > Themes and activate your child theme.
Import settings: Return to Appearance > Customize. Click on Export/Import. Choose the .dat file you exported. Check Download and import image files if prompted. Click Import.
Save & publish: Review your site in the Customizer preview. If everything looks good, click Save & Publish.

Step 4: Update The Parent Theme

Now that your customizations are safely housed in your child theme, you can update the parent theme without fear of losing changes:

Update via dashboard: Go to Dashboard > Updates. Select your theme and click Update Themes.
Manual update (if required): Download the latest theme version from the provider. Use FTP to replace the old theme files in wp-content/themes/your-theme/ with the new ones.

Best Practices For Future Customizations

Avoid editing parent theme files: Always make changes to the child theme.
Use the WordPress Customizer: Whenever possible, use Appearance > Customize for changes.
Document your changes: Keep a record of customizations for easier troubleshooting.
Regular backups: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus to schedule backups.

Conclusion

Updating your WordPress theme doesn't have to be a stressful experience.

By using a child theme and following best practices, you can keep your customizations intact while benefiting from the latest updates.

Regular maintenance and staying informed are key to running a secure and efficient WordPress website or blog.

FAQs About Updating A WordPress Theme

Can I Update A Theme Without A Child Theme?

While it's possible, you risk losing any direct modifications to theme files. Using a child theme is the safest method to preserve customizations.

Will Updating My Theme Affect Plugins?

Generally, updating your theme shouldn't impact plugins. However, if a plugin relies on specific theme features or has compatibility issues, you might experience problems. Always check plugin compatibility and keep them updated as well.

How Often Should I Update My Theme?

Update your theme whenever a new version is released. Staying current ensures you have the latest security patches and features.

What If My Customizations Don't Appear After Updating?

Ensure that all your customizations are correctly placed in the child theme. If problems persist, restore your site from a backup and double-check the steps above.