# Theme license and transfer

What a theme purchase covers, using it on another store, and transfers.

## What a purchase covers

A theme bought from the Shopify Theme Store is licensed only to the store it was bought for. You can keep copies of it in that store's theme library. Updates and theme support need a license, so an unlicensed copy gets neither.

Theme Store purchases are final sale: the theme developer can't give refunds. Try the theme in your store before you buy it.

## Using the theme on another store

A theme can be used on one store at a time. To use it on a second store as well, buy it again from the Theme Store on that store. On Shopify Plus, every expansion store needs its own license.

## Transferring a theme to a new store

You can move a theme you bought to a new store if all of these are true:

* both stores have the same account owner email
* you are the registered owner of both stores
* you are closing the original store, which can't be reopened afterwards

To transfer:

1. In the original store, go to **Online Store**, then choose **Actions > Download theme file** next to the theme. Shopify emails you the file.
2. Download the file from the email to your device.
3. Remove the theme from the original store, including any renamed copies.
4. Close the original store.
5. In the new store, upload the theme file in **Online Store > Themes > Add theme**.

Shopify's guide to [theme licensing and transfers](https://help.shopify.com/manual/online-store/themes/managing-themes/unlicensed-themes) has the full rules. [Support](../support.md) can help if something doesn't line up.