How does Shopify handle theme updates?

Shopify handles theme updates by enabling merchants to publish new versions via the admin interface. This approach allows merchants to have control over when and how updates are applied to their themes, ensuring that they can test new features or changes before making them live on their storefront. This method promotes a more tailored and cautious deployment process, as merchants can review the changes and decide if they want to implement the updates based on their specific needs, rather than being subjected to automatic updates that might disrupt their existing setup.

The other methods mentioned do not accurately reflect Shopify’s process. For example, automatic updates could lead to unforeseen issues if new changes conflict with customizations made by the merchant. Having a schedule for mandatory updates could disrupt the business by enforcing changes without merchant consent. Instant deletion of old versions does not provide a method for managing changes effectively, as it can result in loss of previous iterations that may be valuable for rollback or reference. Thus, the option that empowers merchants to manage updates directly through their admin interface is the most suitable approach to ensure a smooth update experience.