Updating a module in Zoho CRM lets you rename fields, customise layouts, and keep your mobile app in sync with the latest platform capabilities — all without touching a line of code.
Why this matters
As your business evolves, the default module structure in Zoho CRM may no longer reflect your terminology or workflows. Whether you need to rename a system-defined field label, adjust a page layout, or ensure your mobile app reflects the latest module changes, knowing how to update a module correctly saves time and prevents data inconsistencies. This is especially relevant when integrating third-party extensions — for example, updating the Zoho Contracts extension inside Zoho CRM is required to access new field mappings. [4]
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Step-by-step
Step 1. Log in to your Zoho CRM account with Administrator privileges. Only users with the appropriate profile permissions can make structural changes to modules.
Step 2. Navigate to Setup (the gear icon in the top-right corner), then go to Customization → Modules and Fields. This is where the Module Builder lives and where all layout and field-level changes are made. [6]
Step 3. Select the module you want to update from the list (for example, Leads, Contacts, or a custom module). The Module Builder will open, showing all fields and layout sections for that module. [6]
Step 4. To rename a system-defined field label, click on the field you want to edit within the Module Builder. You can now directly edit the label name to better match your business terminology — for instance, renaming "Lead Source" to "Acquisition Channel." Note that system-defined fields tied to integrated apps cannot be renamed. [7]
Step 5. To update the page layout — adding, removing, or reordering fields — drag and drop fields within the layout editor. Zoho CRM's help videos cover structuring CRM data using modules and layouts in detail if you need a visual walkthrough. [6]
Step 6. Once you have made all desired changes, click Save to apply the updates. Changes to the web layout will propagate to users with the relevant profile permissions.
Step 7. If you are using the Zoho CRM mobile app, verify that your app is on the latest version so it reflects the updated module structure. For Android, the current version is v3.5.16 (requires Android 6 or above); for iOS, the current version is v3.6.21. You can update directly from the App Store or Google Play Store. [1]
Step 8. After updating the mobile app, open it and navigate to the relevant module to confirm your field and layout changes are visible. Keep in mind that some field types — such as "File Upload" custom fields — may not display on the mobile app, so test each updated field on-device. [3]
Step 9. If your update involves a third-party extension (for example, the Zoho Contracts integration), you must also update the extension inside Zoho CRM separately to access new field mappings and features. A dedicated step-by-step guide is available in the Zoho Contracts help documentation. [4]
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Common pitfalls
- Settings reset after a mobile app update. Some users report that updating the Zoho CRM iOS app resets preferences — such as week start day, Caller ID settings, and module-specific options — back to their defaults. After any app update, review your mobile-specific settings to restore your preferred configuration. [3]
- Linking modules not visible on mobile. Custom linking modules created between two custom modules may not appear in the mobile app. If a module you've updated or created is missing on mobile, this is a known limitation rather than a configuration error. [3]
- System-defined fields in integrated apps cannot be renamed. If you attempt to rename a field that is used by an integrated application (such as Zoho Contracts), the rename option will be unavailable. You will need to work around this by adding a separate custom field with your preferred label. [7]
- Mobile compatibility must be enabled for widgets. If you have added home page widgets as part of your module update, the Mobile compatibility toggle must be switched on during widget setup for those widgets to appear on the Android home page. [8]
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What to check
- Confirm field labels are correct in both web and mobile. After saving changes in the Module Builder, open the module on both the CRM web app and the mobile app to ensure renamed labels and layout changes appear consistently. [7]
- Verify the mobile app version. Ensure all team members are running the latest version of the Zoho CRM app (Android v3.5.16 / iOS v3.6.21) so they benefit from the updated module structure and any recent feature additions. [1]
- Test any active integrations. If your module update touches fields used by an integration (such as Zoho Contracts), confirm the extension has also been updated and that field mappings are functioning as expected. [4]
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*Beam Help is an independent Zoho consulting resource and is not official Zoho support. For billing or account-level issues, please contact Zoho directly.*