Shopify questionAnswer3 min read
Will Customers Need New Passwords After Migrating to Shopify?
Passwords never transfer to Shopify, but on Shopify's current customer accounts your customers won't need one. Here is how sign-in works after a migration and what to tell customers.
Key takeaways
- Customer passwords can't be migrated to Shopify from any platform, because they're encrypted outside Shopify.
- On Shopify's current customer accounts, customers don't need a password: they sign in with their email and a 6-digit one-time code.
- Imported customers keep their profile and order history, so they see past orders the first time they sign in.
- Legacy customer accounts, which use passwords, are deprecated. On legacy accounts, imported customers must be invited to create a new password.
- Who it is for
- Stores moving to Shopify
- Time needed
- 4 minutes to read
- What you need
- Your customer export
Customers won't need new passwords after you migrate to Shopify, as long as you use Shopify's current customer accounts. Passwords can't be migrated from any platform, but the new accounts are passwordless: customers enter their email, receive a 6-digit code and sign in to find their imported details and order history. Only stores still on legacy customer accounts need to invite customers to create a new password.
I migrate stores to Shopify, and the password question worries merchants more than it should. The details below come from Shopify's Help Center, checked on 7 November 2026.
Why passwords can't move
Your old platform stores passwords in an encrypted form that only it can check. Shopify's Help Center states that you can't migrate customer passwords from another online store using a CSV, and its WooCommerce guide says plainly that customer passwords can't be migrated. Every customer record, address and order can come across. The password can't.
How sign-in works on Shopify's customer accounts
| Account type | Sign-in method | After migrating |
|---|---|---|
| Customer accounts | Email and one-time code | Customers sign in straight away |
| Legacy customer accounts | Email and password | Customers need an invite |
With customer accounts, Shopify says "a password isn't required to sign in". A customer types their email, Shopify sends a 6-digit verification code, and they're in. Shopify also supports Sign in with Shop when Shop Pay is active, plus Google and Facebook sign-in. Because sign-in is tied to the email address, an imported customer can sign in the first time using the email they had on your old store.
Setting it up before you launch
- Check your account version. Go to
Settings > Customer accounts. If you see an upgrade banner, you're on legacy accounts. - Upgrade if needed. Click
Upgrade. Shopify lets you revert within 30 days if something breaks. - Import products, then customers, then orders, so each imported order links to the right customer.
- Keep the same emails. Don't change customer emails during the import. The email is the sign-in.
- Test it. Sign in as an imported test customer and check that their orders show.
Handling the first sign-ins
Most customers manage the code sign-in without help, but expect a few questions in the first weeks. The usual ones are "I never got a code", which is almost always a spam folder or a typo in the email, and "my old orders are missing", which usually means the customer signed in with a different email than the one on their old account. A short FAQ entry on your account page answers both.
What to tell customers
A short email after launch prevents confused support tickets. Tell customers the store has moved to a new system, their account and order history are waiting, and they now sign in with a code sent to their email rather than a password. Link to the account page. Keep this email purely about account access, and save promotions for customers who agreed to marketing. Check your local rules on service messages if you're unsure.
A note on privacy
- UK and EU: update your privacy policy to reflect the new platform before launch, and import each customer's marketing consent exactly as it was. My GDPR guide for Shopify stores covers what to check.
- US: carry over each customer's email marketing status so opt-outs stay opted out.
- Australia: the same principle applies: keep consent records with the customer data you import.
What to do next
- Set up accounts properly. My guide to setting up customer accounts on Shopify covers sign-in options and the account page.
- Plan the whole move. Read whether to migrate or rebuild from scratch.
- Get it done for you. My Shopify migration service covers customers, orders, accounts and redirects, with a fixed quote after a free review.
Free tools
Check your own store
Free, no sign-up. Each one runs a part of this guide for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I migrate customer passwords to Shopify?
No. Passwords are encrypted by your old platform and can't be imported into Shopify. Every other part of the customer record, such as name, email, addresses and order history, can be migrated.
Do Shopify customers need a password?
Not on Shopify's current customer accounts. Customers sign in with their email address and a 6-digit one-time code. Sign in with Shop, Google and Facebook are also available.
Will imported customers see their old orders?
Yes, if you import their order history and keep the same email addresses. Import customers before orders so each order attaches to the right profile, then customers see them when they sign in.
How do I invite customers to legacy accounts after migrating?
On legacy accounts, Shopify says you need to invite imported customers to create new passwords so they can register. Upgrading to customer accounts removes the need, because customers sign in with a one-time code instead.
Are legacy customer accounts being removed?
Shopify lists legacy customer accounts as deprecated. You can upgrade under Settings > Customer accounts, and you can revert within 30 days if needed.
Should I email customers after migrating to Shopify?
Yes. A short service email explaining that accounts and order history have moved, and that sign-in now uses a one-time code, prevents confusion and support tickets.
Sources
- Importing and exporting customers, Shopify Help Center
- Migrating from WooCommerce, Shopify Help Center
- Customer accounts, Shopify Help Center
- Legacy customer accounts, Shopify Help Center
Related services and work
I'm a Shopify developer and CRO specialist. I have built and improved Shopify stores since 2018, completed more than 1,000 projects, and hold a 4.96 average rating across 719 client reviews.
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