Shopify dev

Upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0: Your questions answered

Considering migrating your Shopify store to OS 2.0? This article addresses frequently asked questions to guide you through the process, ensuring a smooth transition for your business. Whether you’re unsure about compatibility, concerned about potential disruptions, or simply curious about the benefits, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

However, it’s important to note that the details provided may not apply if you choose to migrate on your own or with other developers, as their processes might differ.

So, let’s dive in!

Theme and design

Q: When switching to OS 2.0, will there be any changes in the live theme?

A: Rest assured, upgrading to OS 2.0 will not affect your current theme. All these updates are performed in a separate copy of the theme, which means that your current live theme will remain intact. 

Q: Will there be any significant changes to the design of my store upon upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0?

A: Our primary focus with OS 2.0 is enhancing the underlying architecture and functionality of Shopify, not overhauling the visual design of your store. Your existing theme will remain intact, ensuring that your store’s branding and aesthetic remain consistent. However, you will gain access to new theme features and capabilities that will allow you to further customize the look and feel of your store, without disrupting the overall design you’ve established.

Q: Will the admin panel, customizer, and method of filling pages with content change upon upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0?

A: Yes, the customizer and the method of filling pages with content will change. The new customizer will be more intuitive and user-friendly, making it easier to create and manage your store’s content. You’ll also have access to new features like drag-and-drop editing, which will allow you to create and customize your layouts with ease.

Functionality and performance 

Q: Will switching to OS 2.0 affect the installed apps or their settings, and their compatibility with the new theme?

A: No need to worry about your installed apps or their settings upon upgrading to OS 2.0. We will thoroughly test each section for compatibility with apps, ensuring a seamless transition. After the update, all apps will work according to the new standards via app blocks, which provide a modern and flexible way to integrate apps into your store.

To ensure seamless compatibility, we verify that your existing apps fully support app blocks. If you plan to install new apps after upgrading to OS 2.0, we check their compatibility with the new theme to avoid any compatibility issues.

Q: Will switching to OS 2.0 affect my store’s settings or content?

A: No worries, your store’s settings and content will remain intact during the transition. While OS 1.0 stores this information in settings data, OS 2.0 utilizes dedicated theme files. We’ll seamlessly migrate all your preferences to the new format, ensuring your store functions and looks exactly as it did before the upgrade.

Q: Will switching to OS 2.0 disrupt current integrations with third-party services, analytics scripts, etc.?

A: Absolutely not. We meticulously ensure that all current integrations with third-party services, analytics scripts, etc. remain intact and fully functional during the upgrade to OS 2.0. We’ve carefully preserved and migrated all of your settings and configurations to ensure a seamless experience. You’ll continue to enjoy the benefits of these integrations without any disruption to your store’s functionality.

Q: Will upgrading to OS 2.0 disrupt the order processing workflow?

A: No, the upgrade to OS 2.0 will not affect the way orders are processed and fulfilled in your store. All order management functionalities, including order confirmations, shipping notifications, and payment processing, will continue to operate seamlessly. Your customers will experience a smooth and uninterrupted purchasing experience, while you maintain control over order fulfillment and inventory management.

Q: Will upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0 affect my shipping methods?

A: No, upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0 will not impact your existing shipping methods. All your current shipping settings, including rates, carriers, and zones, will be seamlessly migrated to the new operating system. This means you can continue to offer your customers the same shipping options and maintain control over your shipping costs.

Q: Will the main eCommerce pages of the store, such as products, collections, checkout, and cart, be affected in any way when you upgrade to Shopify OS 2.0?

A: No, all of your existing eCommerce pages will remain intact and fully functional throughout the upgrade process. Your products, collections, checkout, and cart will continue to function as usual, and you won’t experience any disruption to your store’s operations.

Q: Will the transition process to Shopify OS 2.0 impact my store’s users in any way?

A: Absolutely not. The transition process is designed to be seamless and will not disrupt your store’s operations or inconvenience your customers. All updates and modifications will be made in a separate, temporary copy of your theme, ensuring that the live theme remains untouched and continues to function as usual. This means that your customers will not experience any downtime, visual changes, or interruptions to their shopping experience.

Q: Will the upgrade to Shopify OS 2.0 affect my store’s payment settings?

A: Upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0 is designed to be seamless in terms of your payment settings. This means that your existing payment gateways will continue to work as expected after the upgrade. You won’t need to make any changes to your payment configuration.

Q: Will social media integration change with the upgrade to OS 2.0?

A: No, upgrading to OS 2.0 won’t affect your existing and customized Sales Channels, which include social media integrations.

Q: How will migrating to OS 2.0 impact my store’s security?

A: Since OS 2.0 is a new theme standard, migrating to it will actually improve your store’s security.

Q: Does the migration to OS 2.0 affect customer data and contact information?

A: No, the migration process from OS 1.0 to OS 2.0 will not impact your customer base or their personal information.

Q: Will I still be able to collect email addresses for my newsletters after migrating to OS 2.0?

A: Yes, upgrading to OS 2.0 will maintain all functionalities of your current theme, including email collection.

Q: Will switching to OS 2.0 affect the future cost of store support and maintenance?

A: Upgrading to OS 2.0 can potentially reduce your support and maintenance costs. The increased flexibility and ease of customization may allow you to make adjustments without needing to hire developers.

Q: Will migrating to OS 2.0 impact SEO and URL structure?

A: Migrating from OS 1.0 to OS 2.0 will not affect your SEO or URL structure.

Q: Will upgrading to OS 2.0 require changing my domain?

A: No, the upgrade to OS 2.0 solely impacts the installed theme in the store, ensuring your current domain remains unchanged.

Q: Will the transition not affect store user access?

A: No, the transition to OS 2.0 only impacts the installed theme in the store. All accesses and roles will remain intact.

Q: If something goes wrong during the migration process, can I quickly roll back to the previous version?

A: While there have been no reported issues, you can always revert instantly to your OS 1.0 theme version.

Q: I have a subscription plan for an app that is no longer available. Will the upgrade break it?

A: No, upgrading to OS 2.0 does not impact your app plan settings.

Business and customization

Q: Is this transition mandatory? Will my store be blocked if I don’t upgrade?

A: Upgrading to OS 2.0 is not mandatory. You can continue using your current theme if it meets your needs. However, migrating to OS 2.0 offers several benefits, including access to the latest features and security updates. For more information, please refer to the Shopify Help Center.

Q: Will switching to OS 2.0 affect my business model?

A: No, migrating to OS 2.0 only affects the theme you use on your store. It won’t impact your business model or the way you operate your store.

Q: Will the existing business logic (subscription model, installment option, preorder) be affected?

A: No, your existing business logic and customizations will be preserved. Everything will function unchanged.

Q: Does upgrading to OS 2.0 mean a new store?

A: No, the upgrade to OS 2.0 only affects the installed theme in the store, preserving your existing store setup.

Q: Can I incorporate OS 2.0 into my current store?

A: Yes, OS 2.0 serves as the new standard theme. This update empowers you to leverage the latest platform features and technologies seamlessly within your existing store framework.

Additional considerations

Q: My theme developer says that upgrading to OS 2.0 is impossible for my store. Why would you recommend something that is supposedly not feasible?

A: While theme developers may provide initial guidance, their assessments may not always account for the latest Shopify advancements and compatibility updates. To provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend granting our experts access to your store. They will thoroughly evaluate your theme’s compatibility with OS 2.0 and provide a reliable assessment of whether you can fully utilize the latest Shopify features.

Once our experts have completed their evaluation, they will also inform you of the approximate costs involved in the upgrade process and the estimated timeframe for completing the transition. This comprehensive overview will empower you to make an informed decision about upgrading to OS 2.0 and ensure that your store is seamlessly integrated with the latest Shopify capabilities.

Q: If the developer of the theme I’m using has released an updated version that supports OS 2.0, can I just install this new version of the theme myself and not use migration?

A: If you haven’t installed any applications and haven’t customized your theme (i.e., made no changes post-installation), it is possible. Otherwise, there is a risk that some functionality may cease to work in your store.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Shopify OS 2.0 unlocks several advantages for your store, including enhanced security, improved performance, and access to the latest features and functionalities. To ensure a smooth and successful transition, we recommend collaborating with Shopify development experts or contacting our team for any questions or concerns.

Anastasia Grinevich

Anastasia is a Content Marketing Manager at SpurIT. She specializes in content and social media marketing and helps eCommerce companies and entrepreneurs reach more customers by creating engaging content with the best practices in SEO. Having worked with over 800 brands and influencers, Anastasia is experienced in creating effective campaigns for every type of industry in the market.

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