How to Cancel a Shopify Subscription?

Shopify is one of the most popular platforms for building and managing online stores. But as your business evolves, there may come a point where continuing your Shopify subscription no longer makes sense. You might be closing your store, taking a temporary break, switching platforms, or changing your business direction.

While canceling a Shopify subscription sounds simple, doing it without proper understanding can create problems. You could end up with unexpected charges, lose important store data, or leave customer orders and refunds unresolved.

Well, canceling your Shopify subscription is simple when you know what to expect. This blog walks you through the cancellation steps and highlights key things you should consider before and after canceling your Shopify plan.

Understanding Shopify Subscription Cancellation

When you cancel Shopify subscription, you are effectively deactivating your online store. Your storefront becomes inaccessible to customers, and you lose access to the Shopify admin unless the store is reactivated.

Shopify subscriptions are prepaid, meaning cancellation does not immediately stop access. Instead, your store remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

It’s also important to note that canceling a subscription does not permanently delete your account or store data right away. Shopify retains store data for a limited period, allowing merchants to reopen their store later if they choose to return.

What Happens After You Cancel Your Shopify Plan

Once you complete the steps on how to unsubscribe from Shopify, several changes take place. Your store remains live until the billing period ends, after which the storefront goes offline and customers can no longer browse products or place orders.

Billing stops after the current cycle finishes. Shopify does not offer refunds for unused subscription time, so canceling early will not result in a partial refund. Any outstanding charges, such as transaction fees or shipping labels, may still appear on a final invoice.

Shopify also restricts access to the admin panel once the store is deactivated. You can log in, but you won’t be able to manage products, orders, or settings unless you reactivate the store and choose a plan.

How to Cancel a Shopify Subscription?

Canceling a Shopify subscription must be done manually by the store owner. Shopify does not allow support staff or collaborators to cancel a store on your behalf, so you need owner-level access to complete the process.

The steps are the same whether you are on a free trial or a paid plan.

Step 1: Log in to Your Shopify Admin

Start by logging into your Shopify account using the store owner’s email and password. Only the account marked as the store owner can cancel a subscription. If you are logged in as a staff member, the cancellation option will not appear.

Once logged in, you will be taken to the Shopify admin dashboard.

Step 2: Open the Settings Menu

From the admin dashboard, look at the bottom-left corner of the screen and click Settings. This section contains all account-level options, including billing, plans, payments, and store management.

Step 3: Go to the Plan Section

Inside the Settings menu, select Plan.

This page shows your current Shopify plan, billing cycle, and next billing date.

Here, Shopify also displays upgrade, downgrade, pause, and cancellation options depending on your account status.

Step 4: Select “Cancel Plan” or “Cancel Trial”

On the Plan page, click Cancel plan (or Cancel trial if you are still within the trial period).

At this stage, Shopify may present alternative options instead of cancellation, such as:

• Pausing your store
• Switching to a lower-cost plan

These options are optional. If you intend to fully cancel, continue with the cancellation process.

Step 5: Review the Cancellation Information

Shopify will display a summary explaining what happens when you cancel, including:

• Your store will stay active until the end of the billing cycle
• Subscription charges will stop afterward
• No refunds are issued for unused time

You may also be asked to select a reason for canceling. This feedback is optional and does not affect the cancellation.

Step 6: Confirm Cancellation with Your Password

To finalize the cancellation, Shopify requires you to re-enter your account password. This step is a security measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized cancellations.

Once the password is entered and confirmed, the cancellation is processed.

Step 7: Receive Confirmation from Shopify

After confirmation:

• Shopify schedules your store for deactivation at the end of the current billing period
• A confirmation email is sent to the store owner’s registered email address
• Your store remains accessible until the billing period ends

No further action is required unless you want to reactivate the store later.

Canceling via the Shopify Mobile App

The same process can be completed using the Shopify mobile app:

• Open the app and log in as the store owner
• Go to Settings
• Tap Plan
• Select Cancel plan or Cancel trial
• Follow the prompts and confirm with your password

The cancellation rules and timeline remain the same.

What You Should Do Before Canceling Shopify

Before you cancel Shopify membership, it’s important to prepare your store properly. Skipping these steps can lead to lost data or unresolved customer issues.

You should begin by backing up your store data. This includes product information, customer records, order history, and financial reports. If you use a paid or customized theme, downloading a copy of the theme files is also recommended.

Additionally, make sure the following tasks are completed:

• Fulfill or refund all pending orders
• Resolve outstanding gift cards or store credits
• Cancel third-party app subscriptions individually
• Save important analytics and reports
• Transfer or manage your custom domain

Taking these steps ensures a clean and problem-free cancellation.

Shopify Billing and Refund Policy Explained

Shopify operates on a prepaid subscription model. This means your plan is paid in advance for a set billing period.

Key billing points to understand:

• Shopify does not refund unused subscription time
• Canceling mid-cycle keeps the store active until the period ends
• Billing errors are the only situations where refunds may be considered

Because of this policy, many merchants choose to cancel close to their renewal date to maximize the value of their subscription.

Looking for help with a Shopify subscription refund? Contact us today.

Accessing or Reopening Your Store After Cancellation

Even after cancellation, Shopify retains your store data for a limited time. During this period, you can reactivate your store by logging in and selecting a new plan.

If you decide to reopen:

• Your products, customers, and orders are typically restored
• You regain full access to the admin dashboard
• A new subscription billing cycle begins

However, if the store remains inactive beyond the retention period, the data may be permanently deleted.

Alternatives to Fully Canceling a Shopify Subscription

Canceling your Shopify subscription is not always the only option. Shopify offers alternatives for merchants who want to step back without closing permanently.

Common alternatives include:

• Pausing the store while keeping admin access
• Downgrading to a lower-cost plan
• Temporarily disabling checkout instead of canceling

These options can be useful if you plan to return or are restructuring your business.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Canceling Shopify

Many store owners run into issues because they cancel without fully reviewing their accounts. Some common mistakes include:

• Forgetting to cancel third-party app subscriptions
• Failing to export store data before losing admin access
• Canceling after a new billing cycle has already started
• Not transferring a domain purchased through Shopify

Avoiding these mistakes can save time, money, and frustration.

Conclusion

Canceling a Shopify subscription is simple, but preparing your store properly is essential to avoid data loss, unexpected charges, or unresolved customer issues. By understanding the cancellation process, billing rules, and available alternatives, you can make the right decision for your business with confidence.

If you need expert help with Shopify cancellation consultation, store optimization, or platform migration, Aron Web Solutions offers reliable Shopify consulting and support to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transition.