We're excited to introduce the newest version of Shift—designed with performance, personalization, and sustainability in mind. This article outlines what's new, what’s changing, how to migrate, and how to share feedback during your transition from Shift v9 to the newest version of Shift.
Want to try the new version, but not quite ready to commit - you can install the newest version of Shift with no impact to your current v9 setup. We’ve designed the new Shift as a separate program that can be installed and run simultaneously with your current version of Shift.
IMPORTANT: If you need to or are thinking about changing your Primary email, we highly recommend doing this before moving to Shift browser. There are a few limitations with email changes in Shift browser currently, although we’re working on improvements, so to avoid having to reset your Shift setup from scratch, please make any email changes before migration and/or Shift browser install.
What's new in Shift
Shift has had a major redesign and upgrade, which includes:
- Multi-window capability,
- Incognito mode,
- More powerful browser capabilities,
- A refreshed interface with pre-designed layout templates for more personalization,
- Full layout customization through Shift’s Builder feature,
- Improved Space (formerly Workspaces) and app management
- Anchor Apps - choose any app to anchor your space when you double click that space
- App Tabs via Smart Links
- A suite of Shift-built integrated apps,
- Enhanced carbon-conscious design featuring the new Carbon Meter,
- Performance improvements and better support for modern web technologies,
- New data types to sync.
What’s different in Shift
While many features from Shift have carried over, some have been updated or removed:
- Unified Calendar: removed.
- Mute Notifications: removed.
- Quick Switcher: removed, but on the roadmap for future development.
- Epic Search: removed, but on the roadmap for future development.
- Home bookmark bar: removed, Shift Browser offers bookmark bars per Space.
- Smart Links have been upgraded to include an app tab bar.
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Email-connected Workspaces have been replaced by Space Anchor Apps (learn more below).
How to migrate
When your Shift is eligible for migration, you’ll see the prompt to update in a couple places within Shift:
"Your updated Shift experience is here" popup
Once the migration kicks off, you will receive an update popup in Shift prompting you to upgrade to Shift browser.
- Click “Update Now” to begin your migration
- Click “Not right now” to stay on Shift version 9 for the time being
IMPORTANT: For a smooth migration process, please uninstall the newest version of Shift (Shift browser) if you’ve already installed it prior to migration. Uninstall Shift on Mac. Uninstall Shift on Windows.
If, however, you’ve already installed Shift browser and are happy with your setup, you do not have to migrate, as migration will overwrite your new Shift browser setup by bringing over your v9 setup.
Quick Settings Drawer migration notification
You can also initiate migration anytime from the Quick Settings drawer notification.
Once you initiate the migration, you’ll be taken through Shift’s migration process, which will walk you through the installation of Shift browser and a few steps to migrate your setup over. You’ll also get to select from some brand new customization options. Check out the migration steps below:
- Download & launch: You’ll be redirected to our download page, where the new version of Shift will begin downloading automatically. Complete all steps to fully install Shift browser.
- Welcome to Shift browser: Sign in with your existing Shift Primary Account (Google or Microsoft).
- Complete your Shift setup: Confirm your Spaces (previously Workspaces) and apps, customize your theme, choose a layout template, and learn more about what’s new to Shift browser!
- Your browser is ready! Click ‘Get Started’ to open Shift and explore the Knowledge Base to learn more!
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Sign back in to your apps and accounts: Since Shift browser is a separate install from your previous version, you will need to log back into your accounts and apps.
Your data: What carries over
The following data will migrate with you:
- Your mailboxes, apps, and Workspaces (now called Spaces) - these will need to be re-logged into,
- Your Primary email account and subscription status,
- Any global and space-specific bookmarks,
- History,
- Passwords.
If you go back to Shift version 9 after migrating and make changes, you’ll have the option to re-run the migration process again to bring the latest version of your setup into the Shift browser.
To do this:
- Uninstall Shift Browser. Instructions for Mac. Instructions for Windows.
- Delete Shift’s data folder. Follow the steps for the ‘partial data reset’ for Mac here or Windows here.
- Go back through the migration process by clicking the prompt in v9’s Quick Settings.
What to expect during migration
We’ve worked hard to ensure a smooth migration experience for current Shift users. Here’s what to expect from the migration:
- Your Shift account will not be duplicated, and nothing connected to your account will be duplicated either (i.e. marketing emails, newsletters, subscription, etc.).
- Subscriptions and billing will continue without interruption.
- Data is synced securely; some new data types will be synced, but you can make changes to what data syncs by heading to Quick Settings > Advanced Settings > Accounts & Preferences > Manage Sync.
- Contacting Shift Support can still be done at any time via email or through our Support Request Form. Learn more about our new Premium Support offering!
- For account management - access through the relevant account portal (v9 or Browser)
Migrating email-connected Workspaces (now Space Anchor Apps)
With the launch of the newest version of Shift, we’re taking the ‘work’ out of workspaces. Meet Spaces, cause life online isn’t only about work. All the functionality you know and love from v9 has stayed the same (with some minor setup changes to accommodate even more customization).
The biggest change to Spaces is that email-connected Spaces have been replaced by Anchor Apps, providing you more flexibility. Any app can be set as your anchor app, but if you’d like to recreate the same functionality as v9, then we recommend setting your Anchor Apps to email apps, such as Gmail, Outlook, or Microsoft.
First: Add a Space to your Shift setup
- Click the plus icon on your Spaces & Apps bar.
- Select Add Space from the list of options.
- The edit modal will appear - name your Space, select a color, theme, and icon.
- Click Create Space to save.
Second: Add the email app to your Space
- Click on the Add Apps icon to open the App Library.
- Search for the desired App in the search bar, for example: Gmail.
- Click Add App.
- Complete any additional setup in the edit modal and press Add App to save.
Finally: Set the email app as the Space’s Anchor App
- Find the app in your Shift setup by clicking on the Space you added it to.
- Right-click on the app icon to reveal the options menu.
- Select “Set as Anchor App” from the menu.
- That’s it! Now when you double-click the Space icon, you’ll jump straight to your email, just like v9!
Each Space can have its own unique Anchor App set (only one Anchor app per Space though). Log in to different email accounts to recreate the same effect as v9 and do NOT set your email app as an app shortcut - you’ll want to add a new email app for each Space, as this will allow you to log in to different emails per App/per Space. The good news is that this will automatically be setup for any email-connected Spaces you migrate over from your current setup. These steps can be used for any additional Spaces you may setup after migration.
Migrating multiple bookmark bars
Bookmark bars work a little differently between v9 and Shift browser. In Shift browser, we’ve introduced Space-specific bookmark bars. This means that each Space will have its own unique bookmark bar associated with it. Bookmarks will not be able to cross between Spaces (so if you want the same bookmark in two different Spaces, you’ll need to set those up individually in each Space you’d like it bookmarked in).
When migrating bookmark bars to Shift browser from v9, the system will look for which Bookmark bar is currently active in each v9 Workspace and move that bookmark bar over to Shift browser as that Space’s bookmark bar.
For any bookmark bar that is not currently active in a Space, those bookmarks will be grouped in a folder and will be accessible from the Bookmark Manager (which can be found in Quick Settings).
Learn more + provide feedback
You can explore all new features and common questions in our Shift Browser Knowledge Base. If you decide to remain on version 9 for a while longer, you can still access all version 9 support articles in our Version 9 Knowledge Base.
Have thoughts to share? We’d love your feedback during this transition: Feedback Survey.
Need Help? Shift Support is here to assist with anything related to the migration or getting started with Shift browser. Reach out to us via our support request form.