Update Your Template - Guides for every template | JoomShaper

Update Your Template

Updated 8 Oct 2026 4 min read

Keeping your JoomShaper template and its required extensions up to date helps you access bug fixes, improvements, compatibility updates, and new features.

Before updating, always create a backup of your website. This gives you a safe restore point if an update causes an unexpected issue.

Important: If you've made custom changes to template files, review them before updating. Template updates may overwrite changes made directly to the template files.

Before You Update

Before updating your template, make sure you have:

  • A recent backup of your website and database
  • Access to your Joomla administrator area
  • Your JoomShaper account credentials, if required
  • A compatible Joomla and PHP environment
  • A list of any custom code or template file changes

We recommend testing updates on a staging or development site before applying them to a live website.

Check Your Current Version

To check your installed template version:

  1. Log in to your Joomla administrator area.
  2. Open the Joomla extension update section.
  3. Find your JoomShaper template.
  4. Check the installed version and available update.

You can also check the template information from its settings or extension details, depending on your Joomla version.

Update Through Joomla

When an update is available through Joomla's extension updater:

  1. Open the Joomla extension update section.
  2. Find the available JoomShaper template update.
  3. Review the version and update information.
  4. Create a backup of your website.
  5. Select the template.
  6. Click Update.
  7. Wait for the update to complete.
  8. Check your website on the frontend.

Do not close the browser or interrupt the process while the update is running.

Update Manually

If an update is not available through Joomla's updater, or JoomShaper specifically provides a manual update package:

  1. Download the latest compatible template package from the official JoomShaper website.
  2. Create a complete backup of your website.
  3. Open the Joomla extension installation section.
  4. Upload the template package.
  5. Complete the installation.
  6. Check the template settings and frontend after the update.

Always use template packages downloaded from the official JoomShaper website.

Check Your Customizations

Template updates can replace files that have been modified directly.

Before updating, check whether you've made changes to:

  • Template PHP files
  • CSS files
  • JavaScript files
  • Template overrides
  • Custom template files

If you need custom code, use the appropriate custom CSS, JavaScript, child-template, or override mechanisms where supported instead of modifying core template files directly.

Tip: Keep a record of important customizations. This makes it easier to reapply them after an update.

Check Template Overrides

JoomShaper templates may include overrides for Joomla or third-party component views.

If you've customized an override, compare it with the updated version after installing a template update.

This is particularly important when a Joomla or extension update also changes the files or functionality used by the override.

Update Helix Ultimate and Other Extensions

Your JoomShaper template may depend on Helix Ultimate and other extensions.

After updating the template:

  1. Check the Joomla extension update section.
  2. Review available updates for Helix Ultimate and other JoomShaper extensions.
  3. Check the template documentation for compatibility information.
  4. Update related extensions when appropriate.
  5. Test the website after each major update.

Do not assume that every extension should always be updated at the same time. Check compatibility before applying major updates.

Check SP Page Builder

If your website uses SP Page Builder, check its installed version and available updates separately.

If your SP Page Builder Pro access is linked to your JoomShaper membership, make sure your account credentials and membership provide access to the version you need.

Quickstart packages may include a version of SP Page Builder Pro, but future updates and standalone downloads depend on your membership or purchase.

Test Your Website After Updating

After updating, check the frontend and administrator area carefully.

Test:

  • Homepage
  • Main navigation
  • Dropdown and mega menus
  • Off-canvas menu
  • SP Page Builder pages
  • Joomla articles
  • Forms
  • Search
  • Header and footer
  • Custom modules
  • Mobile and tablet layouts
  • Any custom features or integrations

If something looks different after the update, check your template settings, customizations, overrides, and extension compatibility.

If Something Goes Wrong

If an update causes an issue:

  1. Check the template and extension documentation.
  2. Clear Joomla and template caches.
  3. Check whether the issue is related to a custom modification.
  4. Confirm that your Joomla, PHP, template, and extensions are compatible.
  5. Restore your backup if necessary.
  6. Contact JoomShaper support if the issue persists.

Avoid making multiple changes at once while troubleshooting. This makes it easier to identify what caused the problem.

Keep Your Website Updated

Regularly check for updates to:

  • Joomla
  • JoomShaper templates
  • Helix Ultimate
  • SP Page Builder
  • Other installed extensions

Before major Joomla or extension updates, review the relevant release notes and compatibility information and test the changes on a staging site when possible.