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 a Violet Connect link. The merchant completes the entire onboarding—including Shopify app installation—in a single seamless flow.

What You'll Learn

1. Prerequisites: What you need before getting started

2. Shopify App Setup: Creating and configuring a custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard

3. Pre-Registration Process: How to pre-register merchants in Channel Dashboard

4. Merchant Onboarding: What happens when merchants use their installation link

5. Troubleshooting & FAQs: Common issues and solutions

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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

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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 a single Violet Connect link that handles both account setup and Shopify app installation

• Existing merchant-created custom apps continue to work (grandfathered)

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Key Differences and Considerations

Access Token Format

Token Type	Prefix	Notes
Old custom apps	shpat_	Merchant-created apps
New single-merchant apps	shpua_	Channel-created apps

Both work identically with Shopify APIs.

Permission Management

Aspect	Old Model	New Model
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

Aspect	Old Model	New Model
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.

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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

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Ready to get started? View Prerequisites to see what you need and begin the setup process.