What Are New Customer Accounts in Shopify? A Complete Merchant Guide
A customer places an order on your Shopify store. Later that day, they want to check the delivery status or confirm what they purchased. Instead of quick access, they forget their password, fail to log in, and contact your support team.
This friction has existed for years across e-commerce.
To reduce these post-purchase issues, Shopify introduced new customer accounts in Shopify. This passwordless account system is designed to simplify how customers access their orders after checkout, while reducing login friction and support overhead for merchants.
This guide explains what new customer accounts in Shopify are, how they work, how they differ from classic customer accounts, and what merchants should consider before enabling them. The goal is education and clarity, not promotion.
What Are New Customer Accounts in Shopify?
New customer accounts are Shopify’s modern approach to customer login and order access. They are designed to give shoppers quick, secure access to their orders after checkout, while reducing password-related friction and support issues for merchants.
1. Simple Definition for Shopify Merchants
New customer accounts in Shopify are a passwordless customer account system that allows shoppers to access their order information using secure email-based login links instead of traditional usernames and passwords.
Customers do not create accounts in the traditional sense. There is no password to remember or reset. When access is needed, Shopify verifies the customer through their email address and provides access to their account area.
For merchants, this shifts customer accounts from being a marketing or loyalty feature to a post-purchase access layer focused on usability.
2. Why Shopify Introduced New Customer Accounts
Shopify introduced new customer accounts to address recurring platform-wide problems:
Customers forgetting passwords
Login failures are increasing support tickets
Account creation is slowing down checkout
Security risks caused by reused credentials
By removing passwords entirely, Shopify reduces friction, improves security, and standardizes how customers access their orders across stores. This aligns with Shopify’s long-term goal of simplifying core commerce workflows.
How Do New Customer Accounts Work in Shopify?
New customer accounts use a passwordless login flow that verifies customers through secure email links instead of usernames and passwords. Once authenticated, customers access their order history and post-purchase information through a Shopify-managed account interface designed for consistency and ease of use across devices.
1. Passwordless Login Explained
New customer accounts use email-based authentication, often called passwordless or magic-link login.
The process works like this:
The customer enters their email address
Shopify sends a secure, time-limited login link
Clicking the link grants access to the account
No password is stored or reused. Each login session is verified through email ownership, reducing risks associated with weak or reused passwords.
2. What Customers See After Logging In
After authentication, customers are directed to a Shopify-hosted customer account interface. This interface is consistent across devices and stores and typically includes:
Order history
Fulfillment and shipping status
Tracking links
Basic customer information
Because Shopify controls this interface, merchants do not need to design or maintain account pages, reducing technical overhead.
What Can Customers Do Inside New Customer Accounts?
Once customers log in, new customer accounts act as a simple post-purchase hub. This section explains the actions customers can take, what information they can access, and how these accounts support self-service after checkout.
1. Order History and Order Details
Customers can view all orders associated with their email address. Each order shows purchased items, order status, and shipping details.
This self-service visibility reduces common support requests such as “Where is my order?” or “Has my order shipped?”
2. Address, Payment, and Profile Information
New customer accounts allow customers to view and manage limited profile information, such as saved addresses. The system is intentionally minimal and does not replace full account dashboards.
The focus remains on order visibility, not deep profile management.
3. Returns, Support, and Post-Purchase Actions
Depending on store configuration and installed apps, customers may be able to initiate returns, contact support, or access post-purchase tools directly from their account view.
This centralizes post-purchase actions and reduces reliance on email-based support.
What Are Classic (Legacy) Customer Accounts in Shopify?
Classic customer accounts are Shopify’s original account system, built around password-based login and theme-level customization. This section explains how they work and why Shopify now refers to them as “legacy.”
1. How Classic Customer Accounts Work
Classic customer accounts rely on traditional username-and-password authentication. Customers create accounts manually and log in using stored credentials.
These accounts are often integrated into the store’s theme and support extensive customization, including loyalty programs and custom dashboards.
2. Why Shopify Calls Them “Legacy”
Shopify uses the term “legacy” to clearly separate classic customer accounts from the newer, passwordless customer account system.
Legacy customer accounts are not deprecated and remain fully supported. Many Shopify stores still use them today. However, the term signals Shopify’s platform direction. Most new improvements related to customer access, security, and post-purchase experience are now being built for new customer accounts.
For merchants, this means classic customer accounts are stable but are no longer the primary system Shopify is investing in long term. Understanding this helps merchants set realistic expectations around future features, app compatibility, and platform updates.
New Customer Accounts vs Classic Accounts: Key Differences
New and classic customer accounts serve different purposes in Shopify. This section highlights the main differences in login experience, customer usability, and merchant control to help merchants understand how each system impacts their store.
1. Login Experience and Security
New customer accounts in Shopify use passwordless login, where customers sign in through secure email links instead of creating passwords. This removes common issues such as forgotten passwords, repeated reset requests, and abandoned login attempts.
Classic customer accounts rely on passwords, which adds friction for customers and increases security risks from weak or reused credentials. By removing passwords, Shopify improves ease of access while reducing reliance on customer-managed security practices.
For a deeper look at how Shopify new customer accounts differ from classic customer accounts, see our detailed comparison guide.https://www.accounteditor.com/blog/shopify-new-vs-classic-customer-accounts
2. Customer Experience Differences
New customer accounts provide a consistent, Shopify-managed experience. Customers see the same account layout and behavior across devices and stores, making it easier to find order details and post-purchase information.
Classic customer accounts are built into store themes and custom designs. While this allows for branding flexibility, it can also result in inconsistent navigation and usability, especially for customers shopping across different Shopify stores.
Benefits of New Customer Accounts for Shopify Merchants
New customer accounts are designed to simplify customer access after checkout while reducing common support and usability issues. This section outlines the practical advantages they offer from a merchant and operational perspective.
1. Reduced Login Friction for Customers
New customer accounts remove the need for passwords by using secure email-based login links. Customers can access their orders without creating credentials or resetting forgotten passwords, which significantly reduces login drop-offs.
This is especially valuable for mobile shoppers, where password entry and recovery often interrupt the post-purchase experience. For merchants, fewer login issues translate into fewer support requests related to account access.
2. More Consistent Post-Purchase Experience
New customer accounts provide a standardized, Shopify-managed account interface. Customers see the same layout and behavior regardless of device or store, making it easier to locate order details, shipping updates, and post-purchase actions.
This consistency reduces confusion and helps customers self-serve more effectively, which can lower repetitive “order status” or “account access” support inquiries.
Customer accounts improve access, but order changes still create support tickets. Account Editor is built to help Shopify merchants manage post-purchase order edits in a structured, merchant-controlled way.
Explore Account Editor for post-purchase order management.
Limitations and Current Constraints of New Customer Accounts
While new customer accounts improve simplicity and access, they also introduce trade-offs. This section explains the current limitations around customization, app compatibility, and workflows that merchants should understand before switching.
1. Customisation and App Compatibility Considerations
New customer accounts are managed by Shopify, which limits design and layout customization. Some apps built specifically for classic customer account pages may not fully support the new system, so compatibility should be checked in advance.
2. What Merchants Should Be Aware of Before Switching
Before enabling new customer accounts, merchants should review app dependencies, required customization, and current customer expectations. Evaluating these areas early helps prevent workflow issues and unexpected limitations.
Which Stores Should Use New Customer Accounts?
New customer accounts are not a one-size-fits-all solution. This section explains which types of Shopify stores benefit most from the new account model and which may need to wait based on their workflows and customization needs.
1. Stores That Benefit Most
New customer accounts are well-suited for direct-to-consumer and mobile-first stores where customers primarily need quick access to order details after checkout. Merchants that prioritize simplicity, reduced support requests, and customer self-service typically see the most value from this account model.
2. Stores That May Need to Wait
Stores that rely on highly customized account dashboards, advanced loyalty or rewards programs, or complex B2B workflows may find the current limitations restrictive. These merchants may benefit from staying on classic customer accounts until the new system supports deeper customization and broader app compatibility.
Are New Customer Accounts Mandatory on Shopify?
Many merchants wonder whether Shopify requires them to switch to new customer accounts. This section clarifies Shopify’s current position and what merchants should expect going forward.
1. Shopify’s Current Position and Future Direction
New customer accounts are not mandatory. Shopify continues to support legacy accounts while focusing future platform development on the new system.
Common Misconceptions About New Customer Accounts
New customer accounts are often misunderstood. This section addresses common assumptions and clarifies how these accounts actually work within Shopify’s platform.
1. “Customers Lose Access to Their Orders”
Customers do not lose access to their orders when new customer accounts are enabled. All past and future orders linked to a customer’s email address remain available. The only change is how customers log in, not the visibility or availability of order history.
2. “Passwordless Login Is Less Secure”
Passwordless login is not less secure than traditional passwords. By removing passwords, Shopify reduces risks related to weak, reused, or compromised credentials. Access is still verified through email ownership, providing a secure and user-friendly way for customers to sign in.
How New Customer Accounts Fit Into the Shopify Ecosystem
New customer accounts are part of Shopify’s broader effort to simplify checkout and post-purchase workflows. This section explains how they connect with Shopify’s checkout, order status pages, and overall customer experience.
1. Checkout, Post-Purchase, and Customer Experience
New customer accounts align with Shopify’s broader goal of reducing friction after checkout and improving customer confidence through transparency and self-service.
2. Implications for Support and Operations
Easier access to order information reduces routine support tickets and allows teams to focus on higher-value customer interactions.
Key Takeaways for Shopify Merchants
New customer accounts change how shoppers access orders and how merchants manage post-purchase experiences. This section summarizes the most important points merchants should keep in mind before deciding whether this account model fits their store.
What to Remember Before Making Any Changes
New customer accounts in Shopify are designed to simplify how customers access their orders by removing passwords and standardizing the post-purchase experience. This approach improves ease of use and baseline security while reducing common account-related support issues.
At the same time, the system introduces trade-offs. Customization options are more limited, and some apps or workflows built around classic customer accounts may require adjustment. Understanding what new customer accounts in Shopify are, how they differ from classic accounts, and how they impact customer experience and internal operations helps merchants make informed, platform-aligned decisions before enabling any changes.