Home > Shopify Tutorials > Download Themes

Download Shopify Themes File in 5 Steps

Last updated: September 01, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

Safeguarding your Shopify theme files is essential for controlling your online store’s design and functionality. Downloading your theme allows for seamless customization, effortless backup, and the ability to transfer your design to another Shopify store.

In this concise guide, we will outline the simple steps to download your Shopify theme files, ensuring you retain complete ownership and flexibility over your online presence.

5 Steps to download Shopify themes:

Step 1: Login your Shopify account

First, click this link to login to your Shopify admin dashboard.

How to download themes 1

Step 2: Proceed to the Themes section

At your Shopify admin dashboard → Choose Online Stores → Themes

How to download themes 2

Step 3: Choose Download theme file

Click the Action button (…) next to the theme you wish to download → Select the “Download theme file” option

How to download themes 3

Step 4: Send email to download

A small dialog will appear. If you click on the “Send email” button, the theme that you want to download will be sent in a .zip file to the email that you used to sign up when creating your account. If you do not want to download, you can click Cancel” to prevent Shopify sends the theme file to your email.

How to download themes 4

Step 5: Download theme

After confirming the above step, you can download that theme from your email. How to download themes 5

To download themes on iPhone To create a new product in Shopify POS for iPhone (Click here)

  • Step 1: Select Store The first thing needs to be done after you open your Shopify app is selecting the Store section.

  • Step 2: Tap Online Store Afterward, you tap Online Store which is in the Sales Channels section.

  • Step 3: Tap Manage Themes In the Online Store screen, you will see the Manage Themes. Tap on it.

  • Step 4: Select Download theme file Then you need to find your theme that you want to download, tap on the Action button and select Download theme file.

  • Step 5: Sent email A small dialog will appear. If you click on the Send email button, the theme that you want to download will be sent in a .zip file to the email which you used to sign up when creating your account. If you do not want to download, you can click Cancel to prevent Shopify sends the theme file to your email.

  • Step 6: Download theme After confirming step, you can download that theme from your email.

To download themes on Android (Click here)

  • Step 1: Select Store The first thing needs to be done after you open your Shopify app is selecting the Store section.

     How to download themes on Android 1
  • Step 2: Tap Online Store Afterward, you tap Online Store which is in the Sales Channels section.

     How to download themes on Android 2
  • Step 3: Tap Manage Themes In the Online Store screen, you will see the Manage Themes. Tap on it.

     How to download themes on Android 3
  • Step 4: Select Download theme file Then you need to find your theme that you want to download, tap on the Action button and select Download theme file.

     How to download themes on Android 4
  • Step 5 Send mail: A small dialog will appear. If you click on the Send email button, the theme that you want to download will be sent in a .zip file to the email which you used to sign up when creating your account. If you do not want to download, you can click Cancel to prevent Shopify sends the theme file to your email.

     How to download themes on Android 5
  • Step 6: Download theme After confirming step, you can download that theme from your email.

Troubleshooting when you download Shopify themes

1. Theme File Not Arriving in Email:

  • Check Spam/Junk Folder: The email might have been filtered, so double-check these folders.
  • Wait 24 Hours: Theme files can take some time to be emailed. If it’s been less than 24 hours, be patient.
  • Incorrect Email: Ensure the email address associated with your Shopify account is correct and actively monitored.
  • Email Bouncing: If your email is bouncing, try a different email address or contact Shopify support.
  • Theme Limitations: If trying to export a purchased theme for another store, remember that theme purchases are often tied to a single store. You might need to repurchase it for the second store.

2. Download Not Working in the Shopify Admin:

Browser Issues:

  • Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
  • Try a different, up-to-date browser. Network Issues:
  • Try downloading from a different network connection.
  • If on a restricted network (e.g., work or school), certain downloads might be blocked. Shopify Server Issues:
  • Check the Shopify status page (https://status.shopify.com/) for any ongoing issues that might affect downloads.

3. Other Potential Issues:

  • Theme File Corruption: If the downloaded file is corrupted, try re-downloading it.
  • Storage Space: Ensure you have enough space on your device to store the theme file.
  • Theme Compatibility: If importing a theme, check if it’s compatible with your Shopify plan and current store version.

Benefits of downloading Shopify themes

Here are the key advantages of downloading Shopify themes that online merchants can experience:

  • Customization Flexibility: Downloaded themes provide direct access to the theme’s code, allowing for extensive customization and tailoring to your brand’s unique aesthetic and functionality requirements.
  • Offline Backup and Security: Having a local copy of your theme acts as a crucial backup, safeguarding your store’s design and functionality against unexpected technical issues or theme updates.
  • Theme Transfer: You can easily transfer your customized theme to another Shopify store or share it with developers for further modifications or collaboration. Development and Testing: Downloaded themes are essential for developers to create custom features or modifications in a local environment before pushing changes to the live store.
  • Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution: Having access to the theme’s code can aid in troubleshooting errors or conflicts, allowing you to pinpoint and fix issues more effectively.
  • Theme Experimentation: Downloading multiple themes allows you to test different designs and layouts offline without affecting your live storefront, enabling you to find the perfect look for your brand.

FAQs

No, you can't download themes directly from the Theme Store. You need to install them to your store first, then download the files.

You can have up to 20 themes installed on your Shopify store at any given time. If you reach the limit, you'll need to delete an existing theme before installing a new one.

Yes, you can download any free theme that you've installed on your store.

No, downloading a theme only creates a local copy on your computer. It won't affect your live storefront unless you make changes and re-upload the modified theme.

Downloading themes is useful for creating backups, making extensive customizations offline, or transferring the theme to another Shopify store.

Conclusion

We have finished presenting the step-by-step instructions on how to download Shopify themes to your computer. I hope this tutorial will help you and your crew feel more comfortable downloading and applying themes for your Shopify store.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.

People also searched for