AppThemes Updater – A New Plugin to Keep Your Themes Healthy

We’ve just released a new plugin called the AppThemes Updater which now handles automatic theme updates. Previously, this functionality was baked directly into our themes but there were some limitations prompting us to separate it as a plugin.

Why the change?

As our product offerings continue to grow, we want to provide updates to our API more quickly — without having to wait for individual theme releases. Here are some other benefits:

  • Push out changes faster to our customers
  • Updates can still occur even if your theme isn’t active
  • Allow items sold in our Marketplace to also provide automatic updates

The update process is still the same as you’ll be prompted before the update actually occurs just like WordPress plugin updates.

What do I need to do?

Existing customers need to download and install the plugin found on their dashboard to continue to receive automatic updates as the old updater API has been deprecated (meaning it no longer works). You only need to download the plugin once (and activate it) and enter your AppThemes API key (we wrote a separate tutorial on our docs site if you’d like step-by-step instructions).

What if I don’t install the plugin?

You will no longer receive automatic theme updates. However, you can still manually download each new version from your dashboard and install it that way.

What is an AppThemes API key?

It’s a uniquely assigned authentication token required for accessing our services (such as the auto updater). It’s not something you should share with others besides your clients (if applicable). It also helps to prevent malicious use or abuse of our API by limiting the number of requests made per our daily limit.

Can I get multiple API keys?

Not at this time. You may use the same API key across multiple sites and/or clients.

Once you install the plugin, you’ll be notified of any new product updates. The check usually happens a couple times a day so if you don’t see an alert right away, check back again later.

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Rating: 3.7 - 18 votes

 Comments (23)

  • mprakashm

    Its not working with multisite wordpress, & Not able to upgrade vantage 1.0.1 to 1.1 version vantage …

    Need help

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    • Shannon

      mprakashm, we’re certain that Vantage 1.1 does work on multisite. Our demos work on multisite – http://demos.appthemes.com/?theme=vantage

      Can you start a thread in the forums so we can get someone to help you with your specific case? Thanks.

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  • customer
    archersoftech

    I have added the updater today… so will I get notification automatically for update to Vantage 1.1 ?

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    • Shannon

      Great to hear. It’s not quite automatic but it is very easy. Watch the video above to see how it’s done.

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  • customer
    ostheimer

    @Shannon: Which video above?

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  • customer
    ostheimer

    Plugin installed. No notification, no update.

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    • Shannon

      Vantage 1.1 has not yet been tagged so it will not show up in your updater. That should happen today. Sorry for the delay.

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      • customer
        ostheimer

        Still no notification, no update.

        • Shannon

          Ostheimer, my Skype handle is juusui. I usually work from 9am to 1am Pacific time with a break at 6pm to 9pm. Please drop me a contact request and I’ll try to help you through. Thanks.

  • jake

    do you use the same API key and plugin for all the themes ? e.g Vantage, Classipress …

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    • author
      David

      @jake, yep. The API handles everything with the same key. 😉

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  • jake

    Ok, one more question before i decide, if i buy one theme and after i use it and i like it i decide that i want to buy all, can i pay the difference to buy the Club membership ?

    • Shannon

      Absolutely! The amount of any theme purchase can be be applied to the purchase of AppThemes Club. Just drop us a line at support@appthemes.com with your username and we’ll send a coupon to use when making your purchase.

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  • jake

    p.s do you have any sale on ? coupons ? 🙂 if i want all the themes ?

  • guest

    What about child-themes?

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    • Shannon

      Currently, it only updates AppThemes products. All the child themes created for our themes are provided by other businesses or developers.

  • customer
    drewmcmanus

    Will this work on a wordpress multisite/newtork install? If so, should it be network activated or only via the site actively using an apptheme?

    • author
      David

      @drewmcmanus, it needs to be activated on each install. The next release will allow it to be network activated.

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    • author
      David

      @drewmcmanus, the latest version (1.1) now works properly with multisite. You just need to network activate it and enter your api key once.

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      • customer
        drewmcmanus

        Terrific, many thanks for keeping me in mind and letting me know, I sincerely appreciate that! And to be sure, does it need to be activated only on the Network side or does it need to be activated via the respective admin panel on the individual site as well?

        Drew

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Discussion is closed.