How to Deactivate a Shopify Store: A Clear, Practical Guide

Deactivating a Shopify store isn’t complicated, but it does come with consequences many merchants overlook. This guide breaks the process down in a simple, educational way—so you know exactly what happens before, during, and after you close your store.

What Does “Deactivating a Shopify Store” Actually Mean?

When you deactivate your Shopify store, you’re canceling your subscription. The store automatically shuts down at the end of your current billing cycle, and your storefront goes offline. You won’t be able to access the Shopify admin unless you reactivate the store with a valid payment method.

Important: Shopify Support cannot deactivate your store for you. Only the store owner can do this from the admin panel.

Things You Should Know Before Deactivating

Think of deactivation as pressing “pause with consequences.” Here’s what to consider first:

1. Your Store URL Is Gone Forever

Each myshopify.com domain is unique. Once deactivated, you can’t reuse that same URL—even if you reopen a store with the same brand name later.

2. Back Up Your Data

Export important information such as:

• Products
• Orders
• Customers
• Gift cards (especially if unused balances exist)

CSV exports are your safety net.

3. Themes and Licenses Matter

If you purchased a paid theme, download a backup. Theme licenses apply only to the original store, but Shopify Support can sometimes help transfer a license to another store you own.

4. Financial Loose Ends Don’t Disappear

Even after deactivation:

• Pending Shopify Payments payouts still process
• Third-party app fees may still apply
• Chargebacks can still occur—and you won’t be able to submit new evidence

5. Custom Domains Need Special Attention

• Shopify-purchased domains can be transferred out
• Third-party domains should be removed from Shopify before deactivation
• Shopify’s HSTS security policy remains active for 90 days, meaning non-HTTPS platforms may show browser security warnings

How to Deactivate Your Shopify Store (Desktop)

1. Go to Settings → Plan
2. Click Cancel plan (or Cancel trial if applicable)
3. Review pause options (optional)
4. Confirm cancellation
5. Select a reason and enter your password

You’ll receive a confirmation email once the store is deactivated.

Shopify Plus users: You must contact Shopify Plus Support to deactivate.

What Happens After Deactivation?

• Your store data is safely stored for 2 years
• You can view past invoices
• You can reactivate anytime within that period—no rebuilding required

If you want your customer data removed sooner, you can submit a formal data deletion request.

Reactivating a Deactivated Store

Reopening is simple:

1. Log in as the store owner
2. Click Re-open <store>.myshopify.com
3. Choose a new plan
4. Add payment details
5. Confirm and reactivate

Your store comes back exactly as it was.

Final Thought

Deactivating a Shopify store isn’t just a technical step—it’s a business decision that affects branding, domains, customer trust, and future scalability. Understanding these details helps you avoid costly mistakes.

If you’re running a cross-border eCommerce business, planning a store migration, or thinking about redesigning or restructuring your Shopify website, this is exactly where strategy matters.

At AIRSANG, we specialize in cross-border eCommerce solutions and conversion-focused website design. If you’re planning your next move—or your comeback—feel free to follow us or reach out. We build stores with the future in mind.