If Shopify no longer fits your business goals, or you have found a better platform that meets your needs, you may delete your Shopify account for good.
The good news? Shopify allows you to permanently delete your account and cancel your subscription in a straightforward process. However, to avoid unnecessary subscription fees or data loss, follow the proper process mentioned in the article.
This guide provides clear steps for deleting your Shopify account, canceling your subscription, and exploring potential alternatives to ensure a smooth transition as you move on from Shopify.
Important Things to Do Before Deleting A Shopify Account
Before deactivating your Shopify account, take a few precautions to avoid potential issues during and after the process. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Backup Your Store Data
Save all critical account data, including customer lists, order history, product details, and sales reports of your Shopify store. You can export your data via Shopify’s built-in export feature for a quick backup.
2. Cancel Any Active Subscriptions or Services
Go to the Apps tab in your admin dashboard and cancel all third-party app subscriptions. This will prevent you from being billed after your account is closed.
3. Settle Outstanding Payments
Shopify may charge you if there are any pending invoices. Check for unpaid invoices under the Billing section. Clear all dues to avoid deactivation issues or collection notices.
4. Notify Your Customers
If your store has active users or subscribers, please inform them in advance about the closure. Transparency helps maintain trust and prevent confusion.
5. Transfer Your Domain
If your domain was purchased through Shopify, transfer it to another registrar, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap, before deactivating it. Visit Settings → Domains, unlock the domain, and get the authorization code for transfer.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Completely Delete a Shopify Account
To permanently delete your Shopify account, you must complete several steps. Follow these steps to deactivate your Shopify account and ensure it’s closed without lingering data or charges:
Step 1: Log in to Your Shopify Admin Panel
Log in to your account with your credentials to access the Shopify dashboard.
Step 2: Cancel Your Shopify Subscription
1. Go to the Settings menu in the bottom-left corner of your admin panel.
2. Click on Plan or Billing.
3. Select Cancel Subscription.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the cancellation.
Step 3: Deactivate Third-Party Apps
Go to the Apps tab in your admin panel and uninstall any third-party apps with recurring charges.
Step 4: Close Your Shopify Store
Once the subscription is canceled, Shopify will provide an option to close the store permanently. Follow these steps:
1. Go to Settings > Plan.
2. Click on Deactivate Store or Close Store.
3. Enter your password when prompted.
4. Click the Continue button to confirm. Shopify will show a confirmation message saying “Congratulations” once your store is successfully closed.
How to Delete a Shopify Account Without a Store?
The process is slightly different if you’ve already paused your store or are using Shopify’s free trial and wish to delete the account entirely.
For Free Trial Users
If you’re within the trial period and haven’t selected a plan, stop using Shopify. Since you haven’t provided billing details, your account will deactivate automatically after the trial ends.
For Paused Stores
You’ll need to resume your store temporarily by selecting a plan. Once resumed, follow the steps mentioned above to cancel the subscription and close the store.
How to Delete a Shopify Account Permanently?
To permanently delete your Shopify account, ensure you’ve followed all previous steps, including canceling subscriptions and clearing outstanding payments. Once the store is closed, your account will be scheduled for deletion.
But if you decide to reactivate, Shopify retains your store data for a limited time. Contact Shopify support if you want your data removed sooner.
Common Issues While Deleting a Shopify Account
Sometimes, users face issues when attempting to delete their Shopify accounts. Here are some common problems and their solutions for the Shopify eCommerce journey:
“Why Can’t I Delete My Shopify Account?”
If Shopify prevents you from deleting your account, ensure no pending invoices or active subscriptions exist. Pending payments or active services often block deactivation.
Charges After Account Deletion
Shopify may charge you if you don’t cancel third-party app subscriptions. Before closing your account, cancel all app subscriptions through the Apps tab.
Unable to Delete Shopify Account on Phone
Sometimes, deleting a Shopify account through a mobile browser causes issues. For a smoother experience, use a desktop browser.
How to Delete a Shopify Account After a Trial?
If you’re using Shopify’s free trial and want to ensure your account doesn’t get charged, don’t select a paid plan after the trial ends. Shopify won’t charge you if no billing information is provided. Shopify automatically deactivates accounts without billing details once the trial period ends.
How to Cancel a Shopify Subscription?
Canceling your Shopify subscription is simple. Here is how to cancel a Shopify subscription:
- Go to Settings.
- Click Plan.
- Select Cancel Subscription and follow the prompts.
- Ensure you’ve backed up your data before proceeding.
How to Delete a Shopify Seller Account?
Deleting a Shopify seller account follows the same process as closing a store. However, if multiple stores are linked to the same account, ensure each store is closed individually.
How to Delete a Shopify Account on a Phone or iPhone?
You can delete your Shopify account using a mobile device by following these steps:
- Open the Shopify app and log in.
- Tap on Settings.
- Select Plan and tap Cancel Subscription.
- Follow the prompts to close the store.
If you’re moving to a new platform, ensure a clean exit from Shopify. Transfer your assets, cancel all services, and close the store altogether. Book a consultation with an e-commerce expert for help migrating or launching a custom store elsewhere.
FAQs
How do I permanently delete my Shopify account?
To permanently delete your Shopify account, go to the Settings > Plan section in your Shopify admin. Click on “Deactivate store” and follow the steps to close your Shopify store. Before proceeding, ensure that you cancel your current subscription plan, settle any outstanding balances, and remove any third-party apps to avoid additional charges.
Can I reopen my Shopify account after closing it?
Yes, Shopify allows you to reopen your closed store for a limited time. Your store data, themes, apps, and product listings are retained temporarily. To reactivate your Shopify store, log in and select a new plan.
How do I delete my Shopify account without incurring any charges?
To avoid unexpected fees or additional charges, cancel all active third-party app subscriptions, remove Shopify-paid domains, and ensure no pending invoices remain. If you’re within the Shopify free trial period, delete your store before the trial ends to avoid being billed.
What happens to my data after deleting my Shopify account?
Once your Shopify account is deactivated, your store data is stored temporarily on Shopify servers. This includes your orders, customer data, product catalog, and store theme. After a certain period, Shopify will permanently erase all stored data to comply with data privacy regulations.
Can I delete my Shopify account on my mobile device?
Yes, you can close your Shopify store using the Shopify mobile app. Navigate to Settings, tap on Plan, and follow the steps to deactivate your account. Ensure all subscriptions are canceled before doing so to avoid ongoing charges.
Can I delete my Shopify account without canceling app subscriptions?
Yes. If you don’t cancel active third-party app subscriptions, you may still be billed even after closing your Shopify store. Visit the Apps section in your admin panel, unsubscribe from each service, and confirm cancellation to avoid extra charges.
How do I delete my Shopify account without paying subscription fees?
If you’re still within your Shopify free trial, you can delete your account without paying any subscription fees. Log in to your admin account, navigate to Settings > Plan, and click “Deactivate Store.” No charges will apply if the trial hasn’t expired.
How do I delete a paused Shopify store?
To delete a paused or dormant Shopify store, you must first resume your subscription. Once the store is active again, you can access the Plan tab and follow the steps to deactivate it permanently. Don’t forget to cancel apps and domains as well.
What happens to my domain after deleting my Shopify account?
If you purchased your domain through Shopify, you’ll need to transfer it to another registrar (like GoDaddy or Namecheap) before closing your account. If your domain is registered externally, update its DNS settings to point to a different location. Failing to do so may result in the loss of your domain.
