{"id":2838,"date":"2020-08-28T10:03:24","date_gmt":"2020-08-28T10:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shopthemedetector.com\/blog\/?p=2838"},"modified":"2026-03-30T14:28:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T14:28:03","slug":"how-to-get-a-shopify-access-token","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shopthemedetector.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-shopify-access-token\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Get A Shopify Access Token"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re developing apps, making advanced customizations and adding new functionality to a Shopify store, or building\/testing a Shopify client library; then you\u2019re going to need an API key at some point for a real Shopify store. The API key is an easy item to find if you\u2019ve already got the Shopify app ready; you\u2019re assigned a unique API key when you create a Shopify app. However, if you need to generate an access code, that is a little more challenging.<\/p>\n

Access tokens are only generated when a regular app authorization takes place during the installation of the app. Therefore, unless you have an app, it\u2019s much harder. It is very time-consuming as well. You would have to manually install the app, write code to authorize installation, and then get the code to deliver the API code to you.<\/p>\n

And if the app is ever uninstalled from the Shopify store, the API code becomes invalid.
\n

Key Takeaways<\/div>
1<\/div>
Creating a Shopify Developer account is the first step to access token generation, involving a simple but time-consuming process.<\/div><\/div>
2<\/div>
In the Developer Dashboard, navigate to \u2018Development Shops\u2019 and create a new online store, avoiding \u2018retail\u2019 or \u2018combined\u2019 store options.<\/div><\/div>
3<\/div>
Generate an access token by creating a private app in your store\u2019s \u2018Apps\u2019 section; the \u2018Password\u2019 field contains the needed token.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

An Easier Option<\/h2>\n

There is an easier option when you\u2019re testing Shopify client libraries. The process is rather simple. You need to get a Shopify developer account, which is essential if you\u2019re building Shopify apps for clients or sale, and then create a dev shop and a \u2018private app\u2019 for the dev shop. You\u2019ll also want to check out more technical and developer tools in Shopify<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The private app is different from a normal app as it can only exist on the shop that you create it on. It cannot be installed on another store, even if you try, and it is granted full permissions.<\/p>\n

Therefore, a private app is the perfect tool for testing Shopify client libraries or for testing your own Shopify apps before releasing them onto the Shopify App Store.<\/p>\n

Here are the steps to getting that API access code.<\/p>\n

Step 1 - Create Shopify Developer Account<\/h3>\n

To start with, you need to head over to the partners signup sheet and create a Shopify Developer account. This is a simple process but can take some time.<\/p>\n

Step 2 - Development Shops<\/h3>\n

Within the developer dashboard, you need to click on the link that says, \u2018Development Shops\u2019 that is within the left hand navigation bar.<\/p>\n

Step 3 - New Development Store<\/h3>\n

Now click on the \u2018Create A New Development Store\u2019 at the top right of the page. You need to go through a quick form to get it setup. For the purposes of the API, you only need to create an online store so be sure that you have that option checked and not the \u2018retail store\u2019 or \u2018online and retail store\u2019 options.<\/p>\n

Step 4 - Login<\/h3>\n

Once your store has been fully created, you can login in and locate the \u2018Apps\u2019 section on the left-hand side navigation bar. There you can click on the \u2018Private Apps\u2019 button that is situated at the top right of the page.<\/p>\n

Step 5 - Create A Private App<\/h3>\n

Now you can create a new private app. This should redirect you to a screen that provides you with all the necessary credential information for the app.<\/p>\n

In the screen there will be an option that reads \u2018Password\u2019. This is actually the access token that you want. All you need to do is to copy that information and your dev shop\u2019s myshopify.com URL address when you want to test your client library.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re developing apps, making advanced customizations and adding new functionality to a Shopify store, or building\/testing a Shopify client library; then you\u2019re going to need an API key at\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_title":"%%title%% %%page%% [year]","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the essential steps to get a Shopify Access Token with ease. Learn how to integrate and manage apps for a seamless Shopify ...","_yoast_wpseo_metatitle":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2838","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-shopify-store-set-up"},"acf":{"breadcrumbs":[{"postpage":[47343]}],"conclusion":"

Conclusion: How To Get A Shopify Access Token<\/h2>\r\nGetting a Shopify access token isn\u2019t easy, but the steps above will help. Try them out and see if you can get the access code you need for your project.","repeater":null,"filter":false,"attach_to_post":[541],"author_bio":false,"custom_author_bio":false,"author_bio_name":"","author_bio_info":"","_meta_excerpt_title":"","meta_excerpt":"","trust_signals":{"expert_reviewed":true,"items_tested":""},"key_statistics":null,"key_takeaways":{"takeaways_items":null},"required_subtopics":null,"context_block":{"context_heading":"","context_excerpt":"","context_content":""},"methodology":{"methodology_heading":"","methodology_content":""},"comparison_table":"","mid_content_cta":{"cta_text":"","cta_button_text":"","cta_link":""}},"yoast_head":"\nHow To Get A Shopify Access Token 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the essential steps to get a Shopify Access Token with ease. 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