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— Quick answer

Replace a file without breaking customer access

Swap the file's bytes from the Files page — existing customer download links keep working, because they reference the File row, not the underlying R2 object key.

Steps to replace a file

1. Open the file in Alva

In the Shopify admin, click Apps, then Alva Digital Downloads, then Files. Click the row of the file you want to replace to open its detail page.

Screenshot needed

Files page with one file row expanded or hovered. Highlight the Replace action (button or row menu item) on the file. Show 3–5 example files in the list. No real customer data visible.

The Replace action on a file row.

2. Click Replace and upload the new bytes

Click Replace, choose the new file from disk, and wait for the upload to finish. Alva updates the existing File row in place and increments its version — the database id stays the same, so every product mapping, pack, and outstanding customer link still points at this same record.

3. Save and confirm

Save the file. New download attempts resolve to the new bytes immediately. There's no need to resend any delivery emails — the link in the customer's inbox is already pointed at the updated File.

Screenshot needed

File detail page after a successful replace. Highlight the updated file size and the bumped version number (e.g. v2). Optional: a small success toast in the corner. No real customer data visible.

The file detail page after a successful replace.

See also

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Last updated 2026-05-06