Shopify’s Legacy Customer Accounts vs. New Customer Accounts: What’s Changing and What You Need to Know

Introduction: Why Shopify Is Updating Customer Accounts

Shopify recently introduced a new customer accounts system, replacing the legacy version used by merchants for years. The updated accounts bring faster login options, improved checkout experiences, and deeper integrations with Shopify’s ecosystem. However, some features from the legacy system are missing, and the transition raises questions about when merchants should switch or stick with the old setup.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Shopify’s legacy and new customer accounts, their advantages and drawbacks, and when businesses should consider using each.

1. What Are Shopify’s Legacy Customer Accounts?

Before the new system, Shopify merchants used legacy customer accounts, which allowed customers to:

• Log in with an email and password to view past orders and manage account details.

• Save addresses and payment details for faster checkouts.

• Access order history and manage subscriptions (if enabled).

Legacy accounts functioned similarly to traditional e-commerce logins, where customers could create an account, set a password, and return to their saved information when shopping again.

Advantages of Legacy Accounts

✅ Customers could log in before checkout to speed up the purchasing process.
✅ Merchants could store customer preferences and offer account-based rewards.
✅ The system integrated with apps that relied on customer account authentication.

Drawbacks of Legacy Accounts

❌ Lower adoption rates – Many customers skipped account creation, leading to lost engagement.
❌ Password fatigue – Some users avoided logging in due to remembering multiple credentials.
❌ No native multi-channel integration – Didn’t fully sync with newer Shopify features like Shopify Functions and B2B integrations.

 

2. Shopify’s New Customer Accounts: What’s Different?

The new customer accounts overhaul the traditional login system by:

• Removing the need for passwords – Customers log in via email or SMS verification codes.

• Simplifying checkout experiences – Accounts are linked directly to Shopify’s one-page checkout for faster purchases.

• Enhancing order tracking – Customers can view their order history and manage purchases without needing a full login.

Instead of requiring a password, customers now receive a secure login link via email or SMS. This approach is similar to how many modern apps, like Slack or Google, allow passwordless logins.

Advantages of New Customer Accounts

✅ Faster login experience – Eliminates forgotten passwords and reduces friction.
✅ Better mobile compatibility – Works seamlessly across devices.
✅ Stronger security – Reduces risks of stolen or weak passwords.
✅ Improved post-purchase management – Customers can check order status without logging in fully.

Drawbacks of New Customer Accounts

❌ No support for custom account pages – Shopify currently restricts merchants from customizing the new account dashboard.
❌ Limited third-party app integrations – Some apps that relied on legacy authentication no longer function properly.
❌ No pre-checkout logins – Customers must proceed to checkout before signing in, which may reduce engagement for account-based features like loyalty programs.

 

3. Key Differences Between Legacy and New Shopify Customer Accounts

 

4. When Should You Use Legacy vs. New Customer Accounts?

Stick with Legacy Customer Accounts If:

• You rely on customer loyalty programs, memberships, or subscriptions that require traditional logins.

• You need customized account pages for managing customer profiles.

• Your customers expect a full dashboard with order history and saved addresses before checkout.

Switch to New Customer Accounts If:

• You want faster, more secure logins without password issues.

• Your store benefits from fewer login barriers to increase conversion rates.

• You do not rely heavily on pre-checkout customer authentication.

5. Future Considerations: Shopify’s Roadmap for Customer Accounts

Shopify has indicated that new customer accounts will eventually become the default system, but they are still improving features based on merchant feedback.

• Shopify is expected to expand app integrations for new accounts.

• Merchants may soon get more control over customizing the customer account experience.

• Shopify stores could receive early access to account-related upgrades.

Final Thoughts: Which System is Right for You?

Both legacy and new customer accounts have strengths and weaknesses. The right choice depends on how you engage with customers, manage orders, and integrate with third-party apps.

For now, Shopify merchants can choose which system works best, but eventually, Shopify’s new customer accounts may become the standard.

If you need help optimizing customer accounts or transitioning to the new system, ClearWave Commerce specializes in:

• Shopify migration and optimization

• Customizing Shopify store functionality

• Checkout and customer experience improvements

Want to improve your Shopify customer experience? Let’s talk.