For anyone thinking "I want to cancel Shopify, but I'm not sure what happens" — cancelling Shopify is, technically, the process of "deactivating your store" (ending your subscription). This article explains the difference between deactivation and pausing, along with the steps and things to check before closing your store.
Before You Start: Do You Need to "Deactivate" or "Pause"?
Deactivating Your Store (Cancelling)
Your subscription ends at the close of your current billing cycle, and your store is deactivated. Note that you'll lose access to your admin.
If You Just Want to Stop Temporarily, Consider "Pause"
If you "won't be operating for a while but want to resume soon," a temporary pause — rather than a full cancellation — can be a useful option.
See the details of Shopify's pause plan below.
Shopify Plus Merchants Should Take Extra Care
If you're on Shopify Plus, it's recommended that you talk to support before cancelling.
What to Check Before Deactivating (Cancelling) Your Store
Before deactivating your store, it's a good idea to check the following in advance so you don't overlook anything that could be affected. Shopify's official help center also walks through what to check when deactivating or reactivating a store. Go through the list below before proceeding.
Reference: Deactivating and reactivating your Shopify store
Billing and Contract Handling
Deactivation isn't so much a "cancellation" as it is a procedure that ends your subscription. Check how long you'll continue to be billed (when it actually ends).
Store Access
Since you may lose access to your admin after deactivation, check whether there's any work you still need to finish before closing.
Impact on Apps and Integrations
Depending on the option you choose when cancelling, apps you have installed may get uninstalled. Check whether any data or settings you need are still in place.
Handling Your Data
Check in advance whether you've exported or backed up information you're likely to need later, such as order data or settings.
What You're Assuming About Resuming
Which method you should choose depends on whether you want to stop temporarily or end things completely. Do a final check that the method you've chosen matches your goal.
As this shows, even if you think you're "just stopping," deactivation can affect how you operate and how things are configured. Keep the above in mind, then proceed to the steps below.
How to Deactivate (Cancel) Your Store
(1) From the Shopify admin, go to Settings > Plan
(2) Click "Cancel plan"
(3) The cancellation options are shown — select "Cancel plan"
(4) Select (or enter) your reason for cancelling the plan
(5) Check the box for "Cancel plan and uninstall all apps"
(6) Click "Cancel plan"
(7) You'll be asked for your Shopify login password — enter your password
(8) Click "Authenticate"
(9) A one-time code will be sent to the email address registered with Shopify — copy the code
(10) Paste the copied code into the one-time code entry field
(11) Once the one-time code is verified, the deactivation process proceeds.
Your store is automatically deactivated once your current plan ends.
※ (If you checked the box in step (5)) Every Shopify app you had installed will be uninstalled at this point.
Finally
Deactivating (cancelling) your store proceeds in line with when your current plan ends, and you may lose access to your admin. Sort out whether you want to stop completely or resume soon, consider Pause if needed, and then proceed with the process.
