How to cancel a Shopify subscription

You can cancel your Shopify store directly from your account settings in two or three minutes. Log into your Shopify admin, go to Settings, then Billing and Plans, and select the option to cancel your subscription. Shopify will ask you why you're leaving and may offer you a discount to stay — you can accept or decline. Once you confirm cancellation, your store will move to a frozen state for 90 days, meaning customers cannot place orders but your data remains accessible. After 90 days, Shopify permanently deletes your store data unless you reactivate.

The timing of your cancellation affects what you owe. Shopify charges on a monthly cycle based on your billing date, not the calendar. If you cancel mid-cycle, you'll be charged a prorated amount for the days you used the plan in that billing period. You won't receive a refund for unused time — Shopify's terms don't include refunds for partial months.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel through Settings > Billing and Plans in your Shopify admin; the process takes a few minutes and requires you to confirm your choice.
  • Your store enters a 90-day frozen state after cancellation, during which customers cannot buy but you can still access your data.
  • You will be charged a prorated amount for the current billing cycle based on the number of days you used the plan.
  • After 90 days, Shopify permanently deletes your store unless you reactivate your subscription.
  • Shopify may offer a discount code during the cancellation process, but you are not required to accept it.

What happens to your store during the 90-day freeze

When you cancel, your store doesn't disappear immediately. Instead, it enters what Shopify calls a "frozen" state for 90 days. During this time, your storefront goes offline and customers cannot browse or purchase anything. However, you retain full access to your admin panel, which means you can still view your order history, customer data, product listings, and all other store information.

This frozen period gives you time to decide whether you want to reactivate your store or export your data before permanent deletion. If you want to keep your store running during this window, you can reactivate your subscription at any point and your store will go live again. Reactivation is straightforward — you simply choose a plan and pay the prorated amount for the remaining days in the billing cycle.

Understanding prorated charges and refunds

Shopify charges based on your billing date, not the first of the month. If your billing date is the 15th and you cancel on the 20th, you'll be charged for those five days at a daily rate. The charge appears on your next invoice or is deducted from your account balance if you have one. Shopify does not refund unused time — once you've been charged for a billing cycle, that charge is final.

If you have any outstanding charges or app fees, those will also be due when you cancel. Check your Billing and Plans page before cancelling to see your current balance and any pending charges. Some apps continue to charge even after you cancel your Shopify subscription, so you may need to uninstall paid apps separately to stop those charges.

Exporting your data before permanent deletion

After 90 days, Shopify permanently deletes your store data — products, customers, orders, and all other information. If you think you might need this data later, export it before the 90-day window closes. You can export your products, customers, and orders as CSV files directly from your admin panel under Products, Customers, and Orders respectively.

For a more complete backup, use a third-party app or service that specializes in Shopify data export. Some apps can capture your entire store configuration, including theme settings and custom code. These services typically charge a fee, but they provide a more thorough backup than manual CSV exports. Start this process early in the 90-day period so you have time to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.

Removing apps and paid services before cancelling

Shopify apps and third-party services may continue charging you even after your store is cancelled. Before you cancel your subscription, uninstall any paid apps from your App and Sales Channel settings. Check your billing history to see which apps have been charging you, then remove each one individually.

Some services that integrate with Shopify — like email marketing platforms, accounting software, or shipping tools — may have separate subscriptions that don't automatically stop when your Shopify store cancels. Review any integrations you've set up and cancel those subscriptions through their own dashboards if you no longer need them. This prevents surprise charges after your Shopify store is gone.

Reactivating your subscription within the 90-day window

If you change your mind after cancelling, you can reactivate your store at any point during the 90-day frozen period. Log into your admin, go to Settings > Billing and Plans, and select a plan to reactivate. Your store will go live again with all your data intact — nothing is lost during the freeze as long as you reactivate before the 90 days end.

When you reactivate, you'll pay a prorated amount for the remaining days in your current billing cycle at the rate of the plan you choose. If you cancelled on the 20th and reactivate on the 25th, you'll be charged for five days of service. Your original billing date remains the same, so your next full charge will occur on your regular billing date.

What to do if you can't access your admin or forgot your password

If you've lost access to your Shopify admin account, you can still cancel your subscription through Shopify Support. Contact them with proof of store ownership — usually your email address associated with the account or the store URL. They can verify your identity and process the cancellation on your behalf.

If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the Shopify login page to reset it via email. If you no longer have access to the email address associated with your account, contact Shopify Support with documentation of your store ownership. The support process may take a few days, so plan accordingly if you need to cancel by a specific date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?

No. Shopify charges a prorated amount for the days you used the plan in your current billing cycle, but does not refund unused time. If you've already been charged for the full month, that charge is final.

Can I cancel and then restart my store later?

Yes, but only within 90 days. After cancellation, your store is frozen for 90 days and you can reactivate it anytime during that window. After 90 days, Shopify permanently deletes your store data and you cannot recover it.

What happens to my domain if I cancel?

If you purchased your domain through Shopify, it remains active and registered to you even after cancellation. You can transfer it to another registrar or reconnect it to a new Shopify store. If you were using a custom domain you owned separately, it's unaffected by the cancellation.

Do my apps keep charging after I cancel?

Paid apps may continue charging unless you uninstall them before cancelling. Go to your App and Sales Channel settings and remove each paid app individually. Third-party services with separate subscriptions also need to be cancelled through their own dashboards.

How do I know my store is actually cancelled?

After you confirm cancellation, you'll see a message in your admin confirming the cancellation date. Your storefront will be offline immediately, and you'll receive a confirmation email from Shopify. You can also check your Billing and Plans page to see your subscription status.