26 July 2026 · Checkout
Shopify checkout and accounts editor: what changed
Shopify's checkout and accounts editor brings the checkout experience and customer account pages into one customization environment. It is part of Shopify's broader move to make checkout extensible, brandable, and consistent across the customer journey.
Short answer: the combined editor lets you customize checkout and customer account pages without checkout.liquid. It is available on Shopify Plus and, in limited form, on standard plans. For subscriptions, this is an experience layer; the billing engine still needs to live elsewhere, such as Checkivo on Stripe. Related: Shopify checkout UI extensions and Edit checkout page in Shopify.
What the checkout and accounts editor is
The checkout and accounts editor is a visual editor in Shopify admin that lets merchants customize the checkout flow and the customer account pages. You can add blocks, change branding, adjust layout, and configure customer account features from one place.
Before this change, checkout customization and customer account customization were handled separately. Checkout used checkout.liquid or checkout extensibility, while customer accounts had their own limited settings. Shopify is now merging these into a single experience so the transition from checkout to account feels consistent.
The editor is not a full page builder. It works within Shopify's allowed checkout and account structure. You can shape the experience, but you cannot replace Shopify's secure payment frames or billing logic.
What changed from the old setup
Previously, merchants on Shopify Plus used checkout.liquid to customize the checkout page. That approach is now deprecated for the checkout and thank-you pages. The new approach uses checkout extensibility, which includes the checkout and accounts editor.
Customer accounts also evolved. The new customer accounts experience is more modern, mobile-friendly, and integrated with checkout. Merchants can add blocks, links, and branding to the account pages, making them useful for post-purchase support and subscription management.
The change means more merchants can customize without code, but it also means some legacy customizations need to be rebuilt in the new framework.
What you can customize
In the checkout and accounts editor, you can typically customize:
Branding: colors, fonts, logos, and spacing.
Checkout blocks: trust badges, upsells, custom fields, and policy banners.
Customer account pages: order history, profile fields, and quick links.
Thank-you and order-status pages: post-purchase messaging and next steps.
These changes are applied through the visual editor. You drag blocks, adjust settings, and preview the result on desktop and mobile. Advanced customizations may require custom apps or Shopify Functions.
Plan requirements
Basic checkout branding and some blocks are available on standard Shopify plans. The full checkout and accounts editor, advanced blocks, and custom apps typically require Shopify Plus.
Customer accounts are available on all plans, but the ability to customize the account pages with blocks and apps is tied to the new customer accounts experience and may require a supported plan.
If you are unsure whether your plan supports a specific feature, check the Shopify admin or the plan comparison page. Do not assume Plus is needed for every small change; some branding options are widely available.
How to set it up
To open the editor, go to Settings → Checkout in Shopify admin and click Customize checkout. You will see the visual editor with sections for checkout, customer accounts, thank-you, and order status.
Steps:
Select the page you want to customize from the dropdown.
Drag blocks from the sidebar to the desired sections.
Configure each block's settings.
Preview on desktop and mobile.
Save and publish.
Always test the live checkout after publishing. Some blocks may look different on actual customer devices than in the preview.
Subscriptions and customer accounts
Customer accounts are especially important for subscriptions. Customers need a place to view active subscriptions, change plans, skip a cycle, update payment methods, and request refunds. The checkout and accounts editor can make this experience feel branded, but the subscription data itself must come from your subscription engine.
Checkivo provides a customer portal that works alongside Shopify's customer accounts. The portal shows subscription details, billing history, and self-service options. You can link to it from the Shopify account page or embed it as a custom app block.
What you still cannot change
Even with the combined editor, some things remain locked:
You cannot change the payment frame or replace Shopify's payment processing.
You cannot remove required fields like email, shipping address, or payment method.
You cannot alter the core logic of tax, shipping, or discount calculation.
You cannot bypass Shopify's compliance and security rules.
For subscription billing logic, the editor is not the right tool. Use a subscription app or Checkivo to handle renewals, dunning, and plan changes.
Common mistakes with the combined editor
Merchants often try to treat the checkout and accounts editor as a full page builder. It is not. You can shape the experience within Shopify's structure, but you cannot redesign checkout from scratch.
Another mistake is adding too many blocks to customer accounts. A clean account page is better than a cluttered one. Customers want to find orders, manage subscriptions, and update details quickly.
Some merchants also forget to test the editor changes on real transactions. Preview mode is helpful, but actual checkout behavior can differ based on payment method, region, and device.
Implementation checklist
When customizing checkout and accounts:
Define the goal of each block before adding it.
Keep mobile experience fast and uncluttered.
Test on real orders with different payment methods.
Confirm blocks do not hide important checkout elements.
Link customer accounts to a subscription portal if needed.
Document changes so support can answer customer questions.
Key takeaways
The checkout and accounts editor is a useful step toward a consistent post-purchase experience. Use it for branding and clarity. For recurring billing logic, keep the engine separate and reliable with Checkivo on Stripe.
Examples of good checkout and account edits
A good edit solves a real customer problem. Here are three examples that work well in the combined editor:
Subscription transparency banner. A block at the payment step clearly states the billing cadence, next charge date, and how to cancel. This reduces support tickets and chargebacks.
Order tracking link in customer accounts. A custom block on the account page shows the latest order status and a tracking link. Customers do not need to email support for delivery updates.
Trust badges near payment. A row of security and guarantee badges placed close to the payment button increases confidence, especially for first-time buyers.
In each case, the edit is small, targeted, and tied to a metric. Avoid editing checkout just to make it look different. Edit it to improve conversion, trust, or efficiency.
Migrating from the old setup
If you used checkout.liquid in the past, migration means rebuilding your customizations in the new editor. Start with an audit of your old checkout.liquid code. List every customization, then map each one to a block, app, or custom extension.
Not every old customization has a direct replacement. Some may need to be removed if they no longer make sense, and others may need custom development. Build a migration plan with priorities, not a one-to-one copy of the old code.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Shopify checkout and accounts editor?
It is a visual editor that lets you customize Shopify checkout and the new customer account pages with blocks and branding.
Do I need Shopify Plus for the checkout and accounts editor?
Basic branding is available on standard plans. Advanced customization and blocks usually require Plus.
Is checkout.liquid still supported?
Checkout.liquid is deprecated for checkout and thank-you pages. Use checkout extensibility and the editor instead.
Can I customize the customer account page with the editor?
Yes, if you are using the new customer accounts experience and have a supported plan.
Can the editor handle subscriptions?
The editor can display subscription-related UI, but recurring billing logic needs a subscription engine.
How do I add a custom block to checkout?
Install a checkout blocks app or build a custom app, then use the editor to place the block.
Does the editor work on mobile?
Yes. Always preview and test on mobile because most checkout happens on phones.
How does Checkivo connect to customer accounts?
Checkivo provides a customer portal that you can link from Shopify's account pages or embed as a custom block.
Can I use the editor for post-purchase upsells?
Some checkout blocks and post-purchase apps support this. Confirm compatibility with your payment provider and plan.
Will the editor slow down checkout?
Too many blocks can slow load times. Keep the experience minimal and measure performance.
Can I add a loyalty program to customer accounts?
Yes, through apps that support the new customer accounts experience and checkout extensibility.
Does the editor support multiple languages?
Checkout language settings are separate from the editor, but branding can be adjusted per market on supported plans.
Can I show subscription details in customer accounts?
You can link to a subscription portal, but the account page itself does not natively show Checkivo or third-party subscription data unless integrated.
Is the new customer accounts experience mandatory?
Shopify is moving toward new customer accounts, but timelines vary. Check your admin for the current status.