Thinking of closing your Shopify store? You’re not alone. Whether your side hustle is taking a pause, your business is evolving in a different direction, or the platform just isn’t the right fit anymore — there are plenty of valid reasons to hit the brakes. Understanding your concern, we will show you how to cancel my Shopify account

The good news? Canceling your Shopify account is a straightforward process — but it’s not something you want to rush. There are a few important things to consider before you click “Deactivate,” like billing cycles, app subscriptions, and backing up your store data. Missing just one step could lead to surprise charges or lost customer records.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know before canceling, offer alternatives if you’re unsure, and give you a simple step-by-step breakdown of how to cancel my Shopify store properly. We’ll also cover what happens afterward, including how to avoid common mistakes that others have made.

Let’s dive in — and help you make a confident, informed decision.

Things to Know Before Canceling Your Shopify Account

Before you cancel your Shopify account, take a moment to look at the fine print. There are a few critical things you’ll want to understand to avoid unexpected headaches later on.

1. Shopify Doesn’t Offer Refunds

If you’re mid-billing cycle, canceling won’t get you a prorated refund. Whether you paid for the Basic plan or a full year in advance, Shopify’s policy is clear: all charges are non-refundable. So if you just renewed, you might want to use up that remaining time or switch to a lower-tier plan instead.

2. Your Store Data Will Be Deleted

Once your account is deactivated, Shopify will eventually delete your store’s data — including products, orders, themes, and customer info. If you ever plan to come back or just want a record, be sure to export all important data beforehand (CSV format works great).

3. Third-Party App Charges May Continue

Here’s where many store owners slip up. Shopify doesn’t automatically cancel app subscriptions — especially if they’re billed separately.
Case in point: Lisa closed her store but forgot to remove a $29/month email marketing app. It charged her for two more months before she noticed.

To avoid this, cancel all third-party apps manually before deactivating.

4. Your Custom Domain Needs Attention

If you bought your domain through Shopify, you can transfer it to another provider. But if it’s managed externally (like GoDaddy), make sure you update DNS settings or disconnect it properly to avoid issues.

How to Cancel My Shopify Account: Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to go ahead and close your Shopify store? Here’s exactly how to do it — step by step. While Shopify makes the process relatively simple, there are a few important decisions along the way that can impact how smooth the transition is.

Quick note: Before canceling, make sure you’ve exported your data, canceled any active third-party apps, and taken care of your domain settings (especially if you plan to use it elsewhere).

Step 1: Log In to Your Shopify Admin

Head over to Shopify.com, and log in to your account as the store owner. Only the account owner (not staff or collaborators) can cancel the store.

Step 2: Go to Settings > Plan

Once inside your Shopify Admin:

• Look at the bottom-left of your dashboard and click on “Settings.”
• From there, select “Plan” — this section shows your current plan and billing details.

Step 3: Click “Deactivate Store”

Scroll down to the “Store status” section. You’ll see a button that says “Deactivate store.” Click it.

Shopify will then prompt you to either pause or deactivate your store. If you’re 100% sure about canceling, proceed with “Deactivate store.” Otherwise, take a moment to explore the Pause and Build option (great if you’re just taking a break).

Step 4: Choose a Reason for Leaving

Shopify will ask why you’re closing your store. You’ll see a few options like:

• “I’m not making enough sales”
• “I’m switching to a different platform”
• “It’s just temporary”

This feedback helps Shopify improve their services. Choose the one that applies, or enter a custom reason if you prefer.

Step 5: Enter Password & Confirm Cancellation

You’ll be prompted to enter your password to confirm the cancellation. Once done, your store will be deactivated.

Important: Your store will no longer be accessible to customers, and you’ll lose access to the Shopify admin unless you reopen it within a certain window.

What Happens After Cancellation?

Canceling your Shopify store isn’t the end of the story. Once your account is deactivated, there are still a few things that happen behind the scenes — and it’s important to know what to expect so you’re not caught off guard.

• Your Shopify Admin Access Is Gone

After cancellation, your Shopify admin is no longer accessible. You won’t be able to view orders, customer information, product data, or store analytics. Shopify does keep your data for a limited time (usually up to 30 days), but after that, it’s permanently deleted and unrecoverable. If you think you might come back later, it’s worth exporting everything just in case.

• Billing Stops — But Only If You’ve Covered All Bases

Shopify itself stops charging you once your store is canceled. However, third-party app subscriptions and domain services may continue if they aren’t handled properly. If you’ve purchased a domain through Shopify, it will remain active until it expires, unless you manually transfer or cancel it.

• Your Domain Stays Yours (If You Handle It Right)

If your domain was purchased through Shopify, it won’t be canceled automatically when your store closes. You can still transfer it to another registrar or continue using it outside Shopify. But if you let it sit without managing it, you could risk losing control when it expires.

• No Refunds — Even If You Just Paid

One of the most important post-cancellation facts is that Shopify doesn’t issue refunds. If you canceled right after being charged for a new billing cycle — even a yearly plan — you won’t get that money back. It’s part of their standard policy.

Conclusion

Canceling your Shopify account might feel like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be complicated — especially when you know what to expect and prepare properly.

From understanding Shopify’s no-refund policy to backing up your data and canceling third-party apps, each step plays a role in helping you avoid unnecessary surprises. Whether you’re taking a break, pivoting your business, or simply moving to a different platform, you now have a clear roadmap to do it cleanly and confidently.

And remember: canceling isn’t the only option. Shopify offers flexible alternatives like pausing your store or downgrading your plan — helpful if you’re unsure about a full closure or want to keep your digital doors open for later.

Whatever your next move looks like, give yourself credit for making a thoughtful, informed decision. Every business has its seasons — and this might just be the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

If you’re exploring other eCommerce platforms or looking for the next step in your business journey, check out our guide to [Shopify alternatives/comparisons – insert internal link] to find the best fit for your needs.

Ready to move on, with no strings left behind? You’ve got this.?