How to assign template to an existing page

Topic summary

A user is unable to assign custom page templates from an unpublished redesign theme to existing pages. When templates are assigned in the Pages section, the live site continues displaying the default template instead.

Root Cause Identified:
Shopify only allows pages to use templates from the currently published/live theme. Templates from unpublished themes in the customizer cannot be assigned to pages, causing the confusion.

Workaround Mentioned:
Creating blank templates in the live theme and assigning those during page creation, though this doesn’t solve the core issue of using redesign templates.

Resolution Status:
The limitation was clarified but not resolved—users must publish the new theme before its templates become available for page assignment. Multiple users reported being stuck on this same issue for days before finding this explanation.

Summarized with AI on November 9. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

Hi all,

Incredibly sorry if this is a silly question or been asked before but I haven’t seen this exact problem yet in my research in the forum.

How can I assign a template to an existing page?

I am working on a redesign, I’ve made new templates in the current live version of the site and I assign them during page creation - however when I view them on the live site they all appear to be using the default page theme.

My issue is that I can’t find where to actually assign the new templates to the existing pages. I can not click into the page in the “pages” section and in the page builder I can switch to another theme via the top menu but not actually save it to the page I’m attempting to edit if that makes sense.

Attaching screenshots for reference:

Hey @Ottodebac !

I believe what you are looking for is the Online store > Pages settings, where you can create/edit the actual pages and assign page templates.

2 Likes

Hi @Ottodebac ,

This is David at SalesHunterThemes.

I’m always happy to help you.

You can try to follow these steps:

Go to Online Store → Page

Products can do the same if you create a product template!

If I managed to help you then, don’t forget to Like it and Mark it as Solution!

David | SalesHunterThemes team

Hi Brett, thank you for the response. The issue with that is that these pages are not from the live template but a redesign template. My workaround has been to create a new blank template on the live template site and then assign that template when creating a new page.

The issue I have is that even after assigning this new template it still appears as the default page template. So basically what I’m asking is this:

After a page is created how can I assign another template to it?

Sorry to show my issue more I’ve shared some screenshot. The template for the page is assigned in the “page” section but on the online store it still is reading the template default page. Is there somewhere else I need to change the setting?

Hi David,

Thank you so much for the message.

I attempted your solution

Sorry to show my issue but I’m still having the same issue. I’ve shared some screenshot. The template for the page is assigned in the “page” section but on the online store it still is reading the template default page. Is there somewhere else I need to change the setting?

Hey @Ottodebac , I believe this is because you are working on a non-published theme in the theme customizer. Shopify currently limits that pages can only be assigned templates from the live theme, so it may be some wired interaction happening due to that.

1 Like

Ah ok, I wish that was broadcasted a bit more clearly - had me stuck for days.

Regardless appreciate you explaining!

So glad I found your reply. I have been stuck with this for days. Shopify said id need to hire an expert so I’m relieved i have managed to sort it myself. Thank you!