Transferring Shopify-managed domains to another store or domain provider

If you have a Shopify-managed domain and you no longer want to use it with your Shopify store, then you can transfer your domain to another Shopify store or domain provider. If you’re planning to deactivate your Shopify store and you want to keep using your Shopify-managed domain, then you need to transfer your domain before you deactivate your store.

Transfer your Shopify-managed domain to a different Shopify store

You can transfer a Shopify-managed domain from one store to a different Shopify store from the Domains page. When you transfer your domain, your email forwarding addresses, DNS records, and subdomains transfer along with the domain.

Only the store owner and a staff member with the Transfer domain to another Shopify store permission can transfer a Shopify-managed domain. If you want to change the email address where you receive the transfer email, then update the store email address before you proceed.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
  2. In the Domains section, click the name of the domain that you want to transfer.
  3. Click Domain settings > Transfer to another Shopify store.
  4. Confirm that your store owner email address is up to date, and then click Send transfer link.
  5. When you receive the transfer email message, do one of the following:
    • If you're the other store's owner or a staff member with the Transfer domain to another Shopify store permission, then click the transfer link in the email text and log in to the Shopify store where you want to transfer the domain.
    • If you're not the other store's owner or a staff member with the Transfer domain to another Shopify store permission, then forward the email message to someone who has the appropriate permission for that store.

For the domain transfer to succeed, the store owner or staff member with the appropriate permission needs to log in to the Shopify store directly from the transfer link in the email message. After the transfer is accepted, it can take up to 24 hours for the domain transfer to complete.

Transfer your Shopify-managed domain to another domain provider

If you want to transfer a Shopify-managed domain to another domain provider, then you need to unlock your Shopify domain and provide your new domain provider with a domain authorization code.

Before you transfer a domain to another domain provider, review the following information:

  • You need to be the store owner to begin the transfer.
  • If you transfer your domain to a platform that doesn't use HTTPS, then for the next 90 days, an error message is displayed in the browser when anyone attempts to visit your domain. Learn more about Shopify's HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) policy and resolving security errors.
  • For your domain to be eligible for transfer, you need to wait 60 days after performing the following tasks:
    • purchasing the domain
    • transferring the domain to Shopify
    • changing your contact information

For more information, refer to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Domains.
  2. In the Domains section, click the name of the domain that you want to transfer.
  3. Click Domain settings > Transfer to another provider.
  4. Review the information, and then click Confirm. The domain authorization code is displayed on your domain's information page.
  5. Give the domain authorization code to your new domain provider to verify the transfer.

If you don't complete the domain transfer within 30 days, then your domain will be locked again. To complete a transfer after 30 days, you need to cancel the existing transfer and start the transfer process again.

HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)

HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) is a web security mechanism that ensures that browsers only connect to your online store over a secure HTTPS connection. Using a secure connection prevents certain kinds of network attacks and helps to ensure the safety of your data and your customers' data. HSTS is always active on your domain for as long as your domain is connected to your Shopify store.

If you remove a domain or leave Shopify entirely, then Shopify's HSTS policy remains in effect on your domain for an additional 90 days. If you transfer your domain to another platform that uses HTTPS, then you won't need to perform any additional procedures.

If you transfer your domain to a platform that doesn't use HTTPS, then for the next 90 days, an error message is displayed in the browser when anyone attempts to visit your domain. The error message might state that the site is not trusted or that the certificate is not valid. In that case, you can do one of the following:

  • Wait until the 90 day period is over.
  • Transfer your domain to a platform that provides a new TLS certificate.
  • Purchase a TLS certificate from a certificate authority.

If you have questions about HSTS, then contact Shopify Support.

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