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.
 

How to initiate migration 

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.

First things first

• If you're planning on changing your primary/login email, please do that first. You can find the steps to make this change here. 
• Confirm you're on version 9.6.3 or later. You can find the steps to verify this here. 
• Ensure Shift v9/Legacy is open and click the "Migrate to Shift Browser" button at the top of this article.

You may also see a migration prompt appear right in Shift v9/Legacy and can migrate from the following as well: 

Migration pop up

This update pop up will appear in your current version of Shift. Click “Download” to begin your migration.

Quick Settings drawer prompt 

You may also see a migration prompt appear at the top of the Quick Settings drawer.

Troubleshooting migration intitiation

If you don't see the Migration pop up or the Quick Settings drawer prompt, please try clicking the 'Migrate to Shift Browser' button at the top of this article. Make sure your Shift v9/Legacy is open when you do this. 

If you don't see any prompts and the 'Migrate to Shift Browser' button doesn't work either, please reach out to our Support team for assistance at support@shift.com. 

If you run into any issues or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our Support team. 
 

Moving through Migration

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:

1. 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.  
2. Welcome to Shift: Sign in with your existing Shift Primary Account email (Google or Microsoft). See image below for sign in page. 
3. Complete your Shift setup: Confirm the Spaces (previously Workspaces) and apps you want to bring over, customize your theme, choose a layout template, and learn more about what’s new to Shift Browser!
4. Your browser is ready! Click ‘Get Started’ to open Shift and explore the Knowledge Base to learn more! 
5. 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. However, this also means that if you have any issues during the migration process, you'll still have the previous v9 version on your device to reinitiate the migration process from. 

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 (login) account and subscription status,
• Any global and space-specific bookmarks,
• History. 

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: 

1. Uninstall Shift Browser. Instructions for Mac. Instructions for Windows.
2. Delete Shift’s data folder. Follow the steps for the ‘partial data reset’ for Mac here or Windows here. 
3. 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 or reset.
• 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 > Account > Sync Preferences. 
• 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 subscription management, access the relevant Account Portal (v9 or Browser). 

What's new in Shift 

Shift has had a major redesign and upgrade to strengthen email management capabilities but also offer a lot more:

• Multi-window capability,
• Incognito mode,
• Reintroduced custom Space icons, 
• More powerful browser capabilities,
• Custom apps can now be created directly from an open tab, 
• A refreshed interface with pre-designed layout templates for more personalization,
• Full layout customization through Shift’s Builder feature,
• Shift AI, 
• Improved Space (formerly Workspaces) and app management
  • Anchor Apps *these replicate the same functionality as email-connected workspaces from v9, learn more below
  • App Tabs via Smart Links
  • A suite of Shift-built integrated apps,
• More tab management options, including Tab Groups, 
• Enhanced carbon-conscious design featuring the new Carbon Meter,
• Performance improvements and better support for modern web technologies,
• New data types to sync.

All this, plus we continue to add more great features and settings in our monthly releases!
 

What’s different in Shift 

Many features from the previous version of Shift have carried over, but we’ve made a few changes:

• Unified Calendar: under consideration. 
• Mute Notifications: under consideration. 
• Quick Switcher: in development.  
• Open links in default Browser: currently available when the setting is turned on, we're working on replicating exact functionality from the previous version. 
• Epic Search: reimagined as Shift AI's Intelligent Omnibox. 
• Home bookmark bar: updated, Shift Browser offers bookmark bars per Space.
• Smart Links: updated, includes an app tab bar.  
• Email-connected Workspaces: still here! Now called Space Anchor Apps (learn more below). 

We're always open to feedback, so if there's something you feel is missing or too different from one version to the next, please reach out to us and let us know! If a feature ends up being popular, there's more chance it'll make it onto our roadmap. You can share feedback directly with Support (support@shift.com), or complete the feedback form found at the bottom of this article. 
 

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 workspaces have been renamed 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

1. Click the Plus icon on your Spaces & Apps bar. 
2. Select Add Space from the list of options. 
3. The edit modal will appear - name your Space, select a color, theme, and icon. 
4. Click Create Space to save. 

Second: Add your email app to the Space

1. Click on the Add Apps icon to open the App Library (or go back to the Plus icon and select Add App). 
2. Search for the desired App in the search bar, for example: Gmail. 
3. Click Add App. 
4. Complete any additional setup in the edit modal and press Add App to save. 
5. The new app should load a login page. Enter the login that you would like associated with this Space. 

Finally: Set the email app as the Space’s Anchor App

1. Find the app in your Shift setup by clicking on the Space you added it to. 
2. Right-click on the app icon to reveal the options menu. 
3. Select “Set as Anchor App” from the menu.
4. 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. 

For a full rundown of how to set up Shift for email management, check out this demo video: Email Management in Shift Browser. 

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 Workspace, those bookmarks will be grouped in a folder and will be accessible from the Bookmark Manager (which can be accessed via Quick Settings > Bookmarks). 
 

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. Although, please note that v9 will be retired on September 30th, 2026 and access will no longer be possible. We highly encourage you to migrate as soon as possible to avoid any disruption. 

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.