Static front page - going against the grain

Question

My theme uses front-page.php. That is currently my front page.

I want the main website URL to go to a new custom page, and I want the old front-page.php to be functional.

I've tried changing Reading -> Static Page to be the new front page, but it's not overriding my settings.

Why? I see a million articles on setting the reading section, and I understand I could change the default wordpress page hierarchy, but there should be an easier way?

I see this, but it's not exactly the same: Static Front Page problem

Thank you anyone who is so kind.

Answer 1

If you've got a front-page.php template, I think this will get used, even if you change the Reading -> Static Page settings:

If you read https://codex.wordpress.org/Creating_a_Static_Front_Page you'll see:

'On the site front page, WordPress will always use the front-page.php template file, if it exists. If front-page.php does not exist, WordPress will determine which template file to use, depending on the user configuration of 'Settings > Reading ->Front page displays', as follows:'

You could rename your new home page template to be front-page.php and rename the old (current) front-page.php so that it can be used as a template on another page.

Another useful read is the template hierarcy: https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/basics/template-hierarchy/