Shopify
Complete guide for onboarding Shopify merchants using pre-registration in Channel Dashboard
Effective January 1, 2026: Shopify discontinued the ability for merchants to create their own custom apps. All new Shopify merchant connections must use single-merchant custom apps created by channels. This guide explains how to use Violet's pre-registration feature to streamline this required process.
Overview
Shopify now requires channels to create "single-merchant apps" for each merchant instead of merchants creating their own custom apps. This guide shows you how to onboard Shopify merchants using Violet's pre-registration feature, which handles the OAuth complexity for you.
Who This Guide Is For
Existing channels: Migrating from the previous Shopify integration approach
New channels: Setting up Shopify merchant onboarding for the first time
Both audiences follow the same process: create a custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard, pre-register the merchant in Channel Dashboard, then send them an installation link.
What You'll Learn
Prerequisites: Setting up your Shopify Partner Dashboard and understanding API scopes
Pre-Registration Process: How to pre-register merchants before they begin installation
Merchant Onboarding: Understanding the streamlined onboarding process
Troubleshooting & FAQs: Common issues, questions, and recovery steps
Impact Assessment
What Continues to Work
All existing merchant-created custom apps remain functional — no forced migration
Existing API credentials continue to work unchanged
No disruption to current integrations
Merchants can continue using their existing apps indefinitely
What Stops Working (for new merchants)
Merchants cannot create new custom apps after January 1, 2026
The "Apps and sales channels > Develop apps" section no longer allows new app creation
Merchants needing new integrations must request them from channels
What Changed
Before January 1, 2026
Merchants created custom apps directly in their Shopify admin
API credentials generated within the merchant's store
Merchants managed their own app permissions and credentials
No developer account required for basic integrations
After January 1, 2026
Merchants can no longer create custom apps in Shopify
Only channels can create custom apps (now called "single-merchant apps")
Each custom app must be created in a Shopify Partner account
Channels generate unique installation URLs for each merchant
Merchants no longer have to click through and add each of their custom scopes, or copy and paste any credentials
Merchants receive and click installation links to authorize apps
Existing merchant-created custom apps continue to work (grandfathered)
Key Differences and Considerations
Access Token Format
Old custom apps
shpat_
Merchant-created apps
New single-merchant apps
shpua_
Channel-created apps
Both work identically with Shopify APIs.
Permission Management
Who manages permissions
Merchants could modify themselves
Channel updates app config, merchant reinstalls
Scope changes
Self-service
Requires reinstallation
Important: Request all necessary permissions upfront and consider future needs when selecting scopes.
Credential Rotation
Who can rotate
Merchants could regenerate themselves
Channel uninstalls/reinstalls or uses OAuth token exchange
Plan for credential rotation procedures and document emergency access procedures.
User Personas
Channel Operator
Managing Shopify merchant onboarding from Channel Dashboard
Goal: Pre-register merchants quickly, track onboarding progress, minimize manual work
Pain Point: Manual credential exchange is error-prone and creates support burden
Merchant
Received install link from channel partner
Goal: Complete connection in under 2 minutes without technical knowledge
Pain Point: Previous flow required understanding OAuth, API credentials, and multiple steps
Quick Start
Create a Shopify Partner account (if you don't have one) — partners.shopify.com
Create a single-merchant custom app for each merchant in your Partner Dashboard
Pre-register the merchant in your Channel Dashboard with the app credentials
Send the Violet Connect link to your merchant
Merchant completes onboarding in under 2 minutes
Ready to get started? Head to Prerequisites to set up your Shopify Partner Dashboard.
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