Shopify API key is a security code that allows apps to access and interact with Shopify stores data and functionality. It is used to control and integrate third-party apps to improve features and performance of your Shopify store while maintaining data security.
Developers use Shopify API to build custom solutions that seamlessly integrate with your Shopify stores and enhance customer experience.
API keys allow you to automate tasks, synchronize data across different platforms and implement personalized marketing strategies. This improves e-commerce operations and scalability within the Shopify ecosystem
What Is Shopify API Key?
Shopify API key allows third-party apps to securely integrate with a specific Shopify store’s data through the Shopify API. It acts as the main token for authentication when making API requests to access data. Along with other credentials such as, API secret key and access token, enables the app to access and manipulate store information, including product, orders, customers and setting through Shopify’s API endpoint.
API key is essential for developers to build custom apps, integrate external services and automate workflow within a Shopify store. Each app has its own API key which must be kept confidential to ensure security and integration of Shopify store data.
When integrating Shopify with other platforms, developers use API keys that enable them to automate processes, synchronize data, and create custom functionalities that meet with the specific needs of Shopify merchants.
Managing properly the API key is essential for security. Developers should keep it confidential and securely store it to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
The following are the key components of Shopify API.
- Admin API: It enables developers to manage store data include products, collections, orders, customers, and more.
- Storefront API: This allows developers to create custom storefronts by providing access to product and collection data.
- Shopify App Bridge: It facilitates communication between a Shopify app and the Shopify admin interface.
What Are the Types of Shopify API key?
There are two main types of the Shopify API key.
- Private API Key
- Public API Key
Private API Key
Private API keys are used for custom app development for specific stores. These keys give you secure access to Shopify API endpoints and allows the creation of custom features and functionalities as specific needs.
Private keys are used with private app creation in Shopify stores, allowing them to perform actions such as reading or modifying data through Shopify API. You should keep these keys secret and not exposed publicly as they provide direct access to your store's data and functionality.
Public API Keys
Public API keys verify requests to Shopify servers, especially for client-side applications where users can see the code. These keys pose less security because they appear in client-side code, such as JavaScript applications running in web browsers. They are used to access read-only endpoints and non-sensitive Shopify data. But due to this exposure, they should not be used for accessing sensitive information or performing actions that require secure authentication.
Private API keys enable direct integrations that require access to sensitive or private data within a Shopify store, including customer information, order details, and configurations. Private API keys enable seamless integration with Shopify stores and provide access to sensitive or private data. They grant access for modifying and interacting with all aspects of store’s data, making it essential for apps that require access to the store’s backend for performing complex settings. On the other hand, Shopify regulates public API keys more strictly, ensuring they adhere closely to API usage policies and access only non-sensitive, publicly available data such as product details and general store information. These API keys support integrations where third-party applications or services need read-only access in the aspects of a store that do not compromise its security or privacy.
How To Generate Shopify API Key for Private App?
API key is a unique identifier for a private app that is created specifically for it. This key enables apps to securely access and interact with the data of a specific Shopify store through the Shopify Admin API. You can get the Shopify API key for a private app by using the Shopify Admin panel.
- Log in to the Shopify admin panel.
- Go to the “Settings” on the left-hand bottom side.
- Click on “Apps and sales channels” and select develop app.
- Next click on “Create an app” and give the name.
- In the API Credentials section, Click on Configure Admin API scopes and set the permissions for APIs you need to access.
- Then save the setting, now you'll see the API key and API secret key under the Admin API section. Use these credentials to authenticate your private app.
How To Generate Shopify API Key For Public App?
Public API allows a public application to authenticate and access the Shopify API. It is used during the OAuth authentication process to establish a secure connection between the app and a merchant's Shopify store. This enables the app to perform authorized actions on the behalf of merchants, such as reading and modifying store data.
- Log in to Shopify partner dashboard.
- Click on App on the left-hand sidebar and then Select Create app.
- Click on Create app manually, Give name for your custom app.
- Now select Choose distribution and select the public app.
-
Here you can get the API key and API secret key.
With the recent update, Shopify has changed the name from API key to Client ID and API secret key to Client secret.
What are Benefits of Shopify API Key?
There are several benefits of Shopify API key include seamless integration with various third-party applications and services, allowing merchants to extend their store's functionality and customize it to meet specific business needs.
Developers use API keys for custom app development that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. By accessing Shopify store data through API key, they gain deep insights into sales trends, customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
API helps businesses to scale seamlessly within the Shopify ecosystem of tools and resources. Use API key to integrate custom functionalities that enhance user experience, boost customer satisfaction and conversion rate.
What Happens If You Lose API Key of Shopify App?
If you lose your Shopify app API key, you lose access to unique identifier that allows your app to verify and communicate with Shopify API. It results inability to make API requests, access store data, and utilize app functionalities that depend on Shopify API. To restore functionality, you need to regenerate or retrieve a new API key.
Immediate Impact on Integrations. Third-party services and apps that use the API key to access your store data will fail to function. Similarly, any custom applications or scripts developed to interact with your Shopify store using the API will fail to connect. Users will lose temporarily access to the data that third-party apps or integrations retrieve via the API.8
Potential Security Risks. If the API key is lost due to security breaches or leaks, unauthorized parties can gain access to your store data.
Operational Disruptions. Losing the API key leads to interruptions in service, delays, or failures in executing API requests.
How To Regenerate Shopify API Key?
Regenerate a Shopify API key by creating a new set of credentials to access Shopify API. This is necessary if you lose access to your current API key or it has been compromised or leaked.
For this, log in to Shopify partner account and navigate to the Apps section. Select and open the specific app for which you need a new API key. Click on API access under client secret and then click on Generate refresh token.
After generating the new credentials, integrate with these details to ensure seamless access to Shopify API and maintain the functionality of services without any interruption.
Is It Possible To Use Multiple Shopify API keys in Shopify Store?
Yes, it is possible to use multiple API keys in a single Shopify store. Each API key is associated with a specific app, allowing multiple apps can access the store data at the same time. This enable store owners to use custom apps and Shopify apps synchronously, each one with its own unique API key and specific permissions.
