Customer Account API required for Built for Shopify

Starting 2026-12-01, Built for Shopify returns and exchanges apps, and subscription apps with buyer self-service, must authenticate customers with the Customer Account API. Subscription apps must also use customer account UI extensions so customers can view and manage their subscriptions.

This applies to apps that have Built for Shopify status or are pursuing it.

What breaks

Nothing stops working at runtime. The risk is to the badge: Shopify says non-compliant apps are at risk of losing Built for Shopify status.

The requirements are numbered on Shopify's requirements page:

• 5.12.4 (returns and exchanges) and 5.14.5 (subscriptions): the app must support the Customer Account API as the primary method for customer authentication.
• 5.14.4 (subscriptions): the app must use customer account UI extensions to let customers view and manage their subscriptions.

Buyer-facing flows that depend on another sign-in method, such as an app proxy page with its own login, do not meet the requirement.

How to check

1. Decide whether your app is categorized as a returns and exchanges app, or a subscription app with buyer self-service. If it is neither, this does not apply.
2. List every buyer-facing flow in the app and note how the buyer authenticates in each.
3. Compare that against 5.12.4 or 5.14.5. The Customer Account API has to be the primary method.
4. For subscription apps, confirm you have customer account UI extensions covering view and manage.

How to fix

• Move buyer authentication in those flows to the Customer Account API.
• Add customer account UI extensions for subscription management if you do not have them.
• If you have already lost status, Shopify's changelog links to a process for regaining it.