What are safe updates and how to run them
Modular DS Safe Updates let you update plugins and themes with a safety net.
Before applying each update, Modular DS creates a backup of the plugin or theme you're about to update. It then shows you a visual before-and-after comparison of your site so you can decide whether to keep the change or revert it with one click if something breaks. You can even let Modular DS make that decision automatically based on the changes it detects.
How safe updates work
When you update from the global updater in Modular DS, you can choose between three modes: quick, safe, or automated. The safe mode adds a series of checks around the update so no change catches you off guard.
The process of a safe update is as follows:
- Modular DS creates a backup of the plugin or theme before updating.
- Takes a screenshot of your site.
- Applies the update.
- Takes another screenshot of your site.
- Generates a visual before-and-after comparison.
- If visiting your site returns a 500 error, it reverts the update automatically.
- If there's no error, it lets you review the comparison and decide whether to keep the update or revert it based on the changes.
That's why the safe mode is the most recommended for critical updates or for sites where stability is a priority. If something breaks or changes unexpectedly, you go back to the previous state in seconds.
If you'd also like to know the risk of an update before applying it, you can rely on Update Copilot, our scoring system that rates each update by how likely it is to break your site.
How to run a safe update
- Go to "Updates & Manager" in the left-side menu of your dashboard.
- Select the plugins or themes you want to update from the list.
- Click "Update" in the bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose the "Safe update" mode.
- Choose how you want to validate the result: "Manual validation" or "Automatic validation".
You can choose the validation type in any safe update, whether you launch it manually or automate it:
- "Manual validation": you review the screenshots and the percentage of change, and decide whether to keep the update or revert it.
- "Automatic validation": it will automatically rollback the update when the percentage of change exceeds the threshold you've set.
Safe update settings
You can adjust two things for each safe update:
- The URL that Modular DS checks to generate the comparison. By default it uses your site's home page, but you can set another one.
- The percentage of change you accept in automatic validation, that is, the threshold above which Modular DS will rollback the update.
You can configure both options globally and per site, from each site's "Site settings", in the "Safe Updates" section.
How to revert an update
You have two moments to revert a safe update:
- On the spot, from the comparison modal itself as soon as the update finishes.
- Later, from the app notifications, without having to wait around.
You have 7 days to validate the update or roll it back. Once you validate it, you can no longer revert it, even if you validate it the same day.
How to automate safe updates
The safe mode can also be enabled when creating an update automation, to apply it without reviewing each site one by one.
When setting it up, you likewise choose between "Manual validation" and "Automatic validation", with the same behavior as in a manual update. That way you decide how much control to keep: review everything, or have Modular DS alert you only when a change is big enough to deserve a second look.
What to keep in mind
Safe updates are available on all Modular DS plans.
The backup the safe mode creates is independent from the site backups you make from Modular DS, and it doesn't count toward your storage. It only exists to let you revert that update during the 7-day validation window.
Related articles
Do you need help with anything else? Email us at help@modulards.com or contact us via the support chat, and we'll be happy to help you.
Updated on: 03/09/2026
Thank you!