How to Pause Shopify Store in 2025: Step-by-Step Tips
Why You Might Want to Know How to Pause Shopify Store
There are many valid reasons store owners consider taking a break:
- You’re rebranding or redesigning
- Going on vacation or a business break
- Seasonal products with off-peak months
- Financial or inventory delays
- Personal emergencies or burnout
If you’re wondering how to pause your Shopify store without losing everything—this guide is for you.
Table of Contents
How to Pause Your Shopify Store (Step-by-Step)
Shopify provides two options:
Option 1: Pause and Build Plan (Maintain access for updates)
You still pay a reduced monthly fee (usually $9/month), but your storefront is disabled.
Here’s how:
- Log in to Shopify Admin
- Go to Settings → Plan
- Scroll down and click Pause or Cancel Subscription
- Choose Pause and Build
- Confirm and apply changes
You can still access your admin dashboard, edit products, and build your store behind the scenes.
Option 2: Pause Store Completely (No access, no billing)
This is more like putting the store in deep sleep mode.
Steps:
- From Settings → Plan, choose Deactivate Store
- Shopify may offer you the option to Pause for Free (based on eligibility)
- Confirm your choice
- Done — your store is hidden, and billing stops
You cannot manage or edit anything while fully paused.
Can You Pause Shopify Store Without Losing Data?
Yes. Shopify preserves all of your:
- Product data
- Customer history
- Theme settings
- Apps and configurations
So when you’re ready to return, you simply reactivate your plan and resume operations.
Choosing the Right Pause Option: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pause and Build | Full Pause/Deactivation |
| Storefront visible | No | No |
| Admin access | Yes | No |
| Monthly fee | Yes ($9/month) | No charge |
| Sell products | No | No |
| Data preserved | Yes | Yes |
Pro Tips Before You Pause
Here’s what to do before pausing your Shopify store:
- Notify customers — Add a banner or pop-up with your return date
- Update social media — Let your followers know the store is on break
- Email your subscribers — Send a quick newsletter with the pause details
- Backup your store — Use apps or manual export to save a copy
- Cancel paid apps — Avoid unnecessary charges during pause
Many merchants asking “how do I pause my Shopify store” forget to cancel third-party apps — don’t be one of them!
How to Reactivate a Paused Shopify Store
When you’re ready to return:
- Log in to your Shopify account
- Head to Settings → Plan
- Select a new paid plan
- Confirm reactivation
Your store will be live again with no loss of data.
FAQs on How to Pause Shopify Store
How to pause my Shopify store temporarily?
Use the Pause and Build plan from your Shopify admin settings.
Can you pause Shopify store and still sell?
No. While paused, the storefront and checkout are disabled. You can’t sell.
How long can I pause my Shopify store?
There’s no official time limit. You can stay paused until you’re ready to reactivate.
Do I lose my data if I pause Shopify store?
No. All data is saved, including orders, themes, and customer info.
Can I pause my Shopify store and not be charged?
Yes—if you fully deactivate your store. However, you won’t have access to the admin.
Final Thoughts: How to Pause Shopify Store
Now that you know how to pause Shopify store, you can take a break without stress. Whether you need a short rest or plan a major store revamp, Shopify’s flexible pause options make it easy.
Remember:
- Choose Pause and Build if you want to maintain admin access
- Go for Deactivation if you want to cut all costs temporarily
- Don’t forget to cancel third-party app subscriptions!
Taking a break is normal—and when you’re ready to return, your Shopify store will be right where you left it.
