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Collaborator accounts

Collaborators are Shopify Partners who you've allowed to access your store or organization. Collaborators are similar to staff, but they offer additional benefits. For example, Shopify Partners have access to training courses, Shopify's product roadmap, and other resources to help you run your business. Collaborators can log in to your store from their Partner Dashboard or from the Shopify mobile app. Collaborator access to your store can be managed and removed from your Shopify admin. Collaborators don't count towards your store's staff limit.

For example, if a collaborator requires access to your shipping profiles, then you need to create a role with the View products and Manage settings permissions.

Only eligible users can access manage collaborator accounts.

Learn more about creating roles and staff permissions.

After a Shopify Partner submits a request to access your store, you receive an email about the request and a notification on your Shopify Home.

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Considerations for collaborator accounts

Review the following considerations for collaborator accounts:

  • You can create roles for collaborators with the permissions that they require. Collaborators can request and be given all available permissions in your store. Carefully consider which permissions a collaborator needs to complete their tasks. Learn more about staff permissions.
  • Users with only the following user roles can view collaborator access requests or grant collaborator access to a store:
    • If the collaborator request is for a single store, then the following user roles can view and grant access requests:
      • Store owner
      • Administrator role
    • If the collaborator request is for an organization or for a store on the Shopify Plus plan, then the following user roles can view and grant access requests:
      • Organization owner
      • Store owner
      • Organization administrator role
      • Store user administrator role
  • You must provide the collaborator with a request code. The collaborator must enter this code when they submit a collaborator request. Only the Partners who you share the code with can request access to your store.
  • Collaborators don't have access to Shopify POS. You need to create a staff account for collaborators to log in to POS.

Collaborator access code

In the Collaborators section of the Users > Security page in your Shopify admin, you can assign a code.

After the Partner, freelancer, or agency submits their collaborator request, you can accept or reject the request in the Collaborators section of your Shopify admin, where you can also find a list of your accepted collaborators.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Users.

  2. Click Security.

  3. Click the 4-digit code to copy it to your clipboard.

  4. Provide the 4-digit code to your collaborator.

Change collaborator access code

You can change your collaborator request code at any time by generating a new code. After you generate a new collaborator request code, any old codes no longer work.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Users.

  2. Click Security.

  3. In the Collaborators section, click Generate new code.

Remove a collaborator account

You can permanently remove a collaborator account from your store. You can't undo this action.

If you want to give a collaborator access again, then the collaborator needs to resend their collaborator request.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Users.

  2. Click the collaborator's name.

  3. Click Remove collaborator account.

  4. Enter your password, and then click Remove.

The collaborator account is removed permanently from your store, and is no longer available from your Shopify admin. The collaborator's name and actions are still listed in any relevant timelines, such as the store activity log and order timeline.

Legacy collaborator management

If your store or organization hasn't been migrated to the role-based access control, then you can manage collaborators from the Collaborators section of the Users & Permissions > Security page in your Shopify admin.

Only people with a collaborator request code can send a collaborator request is selected by default. It's recommended that you require a collaborator request code to more effectively control the requests that you receive.

If you don't want to require collaborators to provide a code to request access to your store, then select Anyone can send a collaborator request.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Users & Permissions.
  2. Click Security.
  3. In the Collaborators section, click Generate new code.
  4. Optional: Click the 4-digit code to copy it to your clipboard.
  5. Provide the 4-digit code to your collaborator.

Collaborator FAQs

What permissions should I give the freelancer or agency?

Give only the permissions that you feel comfortable giving. If a freelancer or agency asks for certain permissions, then there might be a good reason. If you aren't sure, then ask the freelancer or agency why they need the permissions.

Can I control a collaborator's access to specific apps and channels?

Yes. When you approve access, you can assign permissions for specific apps and channels to give a collaborator access to only certain apps and channels.

Can a freelancer use a collaborator account to log in to the Shopify app?

Yes. However, collaborators must log in to your store at least one time through the Stores page in their Partner Dashboard before they can log in using the Shopify app.

I accidentally rejected a request from a freelancer or agency, how can I get it back?

Ask the freelancer or agency to contact Partner Support. Partner Support will adjust the Partner's account so the Partner can send you another request.

What should I do when I'm finished working with a collaborator?

If you no longer need help from the collaborator, then remove their account. Otherwise, if a collaborator user hasn't logged into your store within 90 days, then their access will automatically expire. You can also generate a new access code, so that anyone with an outdated access code can no longer access your store.

How do I report an issue with a freelancer or agency?

First, make sure that the problem isn't because of a communication issue or mismatched expectations. Shopify isn't directly responsible for issues with freelancers or agencies. However, if you believe that a Shopify Partner isn't following the Partner Program Agreement, then fill out the Report a Partner violation form.

I got an email from a freelancer or agency that I don’t know or don’t want to work with, what should I do?

Review the request and confirm that you don’t want to work with them. If you aren't expecting a request, or if you don't recognize the sender, then you shouldn't accept their request.

Can’t find the answers you’re looking for? We’re here to help.