Knowledge base
Clear restore guidancebefore a merchant needs it.
ThemeMate documentation explains automatic backups, manual restore points, ZIP downloads, version comparison, and safe Shopify restore steps in plain merchant language.
How automatic backups work
ThemeMate is designed to protect the active Shopify theme without asking the merchant to remember every backup manually.
- Approve the Shopify billing plan and complete setup.
- The app syncs the active theme and creates a daily schedule.
- Merchants can still run manual backups before important changes.
- Completed snapshots appear in backup history with date, status, size, and asset count.
How to restore a theme safely
The restore flow is intentionally guided so the live storefront is not overwritten unexpectedly.
- Open the completed backup you want to use.
- Download the Shopify theme ZIP from ThemeMate.
- Open Shopify themes and import the ZIP as a draft theme.
- Preview the draft theme, then publish it only when it looks correct.
How version comparison helps
When a theme changes often, a simple comparison view helps teams understand which files changed between snapshots.
- Compare two restore points before choosing which one to download.
- Identify changed theme files after app installs or agency edits.
- Use comparison as a decision aid, not as a live-theme publishing tool.
- Keep a clean record of theme changes around campaign launches.
How agencies should use ThemeMate
Agencies can use ThemeMate as a lightweight protection layer before code work, redesigns, and client handoffs.
- Create a manual backup before starting development work.
- Create another backup after the final approved change.
- Use backup history to show when restore points were created.
- Download ZIP copies for internal client archives when needed.
Need help with a restore?
Send the shop URL, backup date, and what changed before the issue started.