Shopify Store Migration Customer Passwords

Last updated August 2026

Customer passwords cannot be migrated to Shopify. This is a universal constraint across all migration paths, not a limitation specific to Shopify's tool.

Why passwords cannot migrate

Every ecommerce platform hashes passwords using different algorithms. The hash (not the plaintext password) is stored, and these hashes are incompatible:

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Passwords are designed to be one-way. You cannot reverse a hash to obtain the original password, so you cannot re-hash it for Shopify's algorithm.

What to do

1. Migrate customer records without passwords

Export customer data (name, email, addresses, phone) and import into Shopify via CSV or API. Customers will have their accounts but no working password.

2. Send account invite emails

After importing customers, send Shopify account invite emails. Customers click the link, set a new password, and regain access.

3. Communicate the change

Before migration:

4. For Shopify Plus stores: Multipass

Multipass allows customers to authenticate on your old platform and be automatically logged into Shopify without setting a new password. This requires:

Customer data that CAN transfer

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Migration sequence

1. Export customers from source platform

2. Import customers into Shopify (without passwords)

3. Verify customer records in Shopify admin

4. Send account invite emails

5. Provide customer support for login issues during transition period