> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tipo.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tipo.io/product-syncs/update-products-only.md).
# Update Products Only
The **Update Only** option updates products that already exist in the Destination store.
When enabled, Tipo Sync will:
✅ Update products that have a matching identifier
❌ Not create new products
❌ Ignore products that do not already exist in the Destination store
This option is useful when you only want to keep existing products updated without importing new products.
***
### ⚙️ How to Enable Update Only
#### **For a New Connection:**
Before connecting, check and select the product information you want to sync [here. ](https://tipo.io/index.php/kb/sync-specific-product-fields/)
1\. Open the app in **Destination** store > click **Connect store** button
2\. Enter the **Connection Code** from your Source Store (found under the app’s Settings).
3\. In **General** > **Matching & Imports** part > select **Update Only**
4\. Under **Unique Identifier**, choose one:
* **Handle** (recommended)
* **SKU** (ensure all variants have unique SKUs)
* **Barcode** (ensure all variants have unique barcodes)
5. Enable the **Product sync** setting > select the products you want to sync
6. Complete connection and click **Save**
***
#### **For an Existing Connection**
1\. Go to the **Destinations** store > click **Stores** > click on the store URL of source store to view the connection detail
2\. In **General** > **Matching & Imports** part > select **Update only**
3\. Choose your preferred **Unique Identifier**
Click **Save** to apply the changes.
***
### 🔗 How Tipo Sync Identifies Products
Before updating a product, Tipo Sync checks whether the product already exists in the Destination store.
The app compares products using a **Matching Identifier**.
A Matching Identifier is the value used to determine whether two products are the same product across stores.
| Identifier | Description | Example |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------- |
| **Handle (Recommended)** | Unique part of the product URL used to identify a product across stores. | `/kimono-dress-coral` |
| **SKU** | Unique code assigned to a product variant. | `SKU-12345-CORAL` |
| **Barcode** | Global product identification code. | `8850123456789` |
***
### 🔁 How Update Only Works
When a product is synced, Tipo Sync first checks the selected Matching Identifier.
| Result | Action |
| ------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Matching product found | Update the existing product |
| No matching product found | Ignore the product |
***
#### 🛍 Example 1: Matching Product Found
Source Store
| Product | Handle |
| ------------------ | ------------------ |
| Kimono Dress Coral | kimono-dress-coral |
Destination Store
| Product | Handle |
| ------------------ | ------------------ |
| Kimono Dress Coral | kimono-dress-coral |
The Handles match.
Result
✅ Existing product is updated
✅ No duplicate product is created
***
#### 🚫 Example 2: No Matching Product Found
Source Store
| Product | Handle |
| ----------------- | ----------------- |
| Linen Shirt Beige | linen-shirt-beige |
Destination Store
| Product | Handle |
| ----------------- | ----------------- |
| Summer Dress Blue | summer-dress-blue |
No matching Handle is found.
Result
❌ Product is not created
❌ Product is not synced
The product is ignored because it does not already exist in the Destination store.
***
#### 🛍 Example 3: Update Only in Action
Before Sync
| Source Store | Destination Store |
| ------------ | ----------------- |
| Product A | Product B |
| Product B | Product C |
| Product C |
|
After Sync
| Product | Result |
| --------- | ------- |
| Product A | Ignored |
| Product B | Updated |
| Product C | Updated |
Products B and C already exist in the Destination store, so they are updated.
Product A does not exist in the Destination store, so it is ignored.
***
#### 🚫 What Happens When New Products Are Added?
Initial Setup
Source Store:
* Product A
* Product B
* Product C
Destination Store:
* Product A
* Product B
* Product C
The connection is configured with **Update Only**.
Later
You add:
* Product D
* Product E
* Product F
to the Source store.
Result
❌ Product D is not created
❌ Product E is not created
❌ Product F is not created
Because these products do not already exist in the Destination store, they are ignored.
Only products that already exist in both stores can be updated.
***
### 🎯 When Should I Use Update Only?
Use **Update Only** when:
* You already have products in both stores.
* You want to keep product information synchronized.
* You do not want new products to be automatically imported.
* You want full control over which products exist in the Destination store.
Common use cases:
* Managing separate product catalogs.
* Preventing accidental product creation.
* Updating inventory, prices, or descriptions for existing products only.
***
### ⚖️ Compare Sync Options
| Option | Create New Products | Update Existing Products |
| ------------------ | ------------------- | ------------------------ |
| 🔄 Create & Update | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🔁 Update Only | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| ➕ Create Only | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
***
**🙋 Still need support?**
If you still need help, please feel free to contact us at . We’ll be happy to assist you further.