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Shopify Handbook

How to Secure Your Shopify Store: Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Step-by-step guide on enabling Shopify 2FA & secure sign-in to keep your store, staff, and payouts safe.

Store security isn’t just about protection from external DDoS attacks—it also means controlling access to your Shopify Admin. A single compromised or leaked password is enough for attackers to gain access to your payouts, customer data, and store settings.

To minimize these risks, Shopify offers modern Secure Sign-In methods that go far beyond the traditional “username + password” combination.

📌 Important: If you use Shopify Payments, enabling 2FA is a mandatory platform requirement.

Step 1: Choose a Verification Method

Shopify provides three main authentication options:

  • Authenticator App (Recommended): Google Authenticator, 1Password, or Microsoft Authenticator. These apps generate time-based codes every 30 seconds and work offline.
  • SMS Verification: A one-time code is sent via SMS. Requires stable mobile network coverage.
  • Security Key (Biometrics / Hardware Key): Use fingerprint (Touch ID), facial recognition (Face ID), or a physical USB security key (e.g., YubiKey).

Step 2: Enable 2FA Step by Step

  1. Log in to your Shopify Admin panel.
  2. In the top-right corner, click on your profile name.
  3. In the left-hand menu, go to the Security tab.
Navigating to Shopify Security settings
  1. Locate the Two-step authentication section and click Turn on two-step.
  2. Enter your current account password to verify your identity.
Turning on two-step verification Confirming account password Setup wizard Verification window
  1. Choose one of the available methods (for example, Authenticator app).
Selecting Authenticator app method
  1. Follow the on-screen instructions: scan the QR code using your authentication app.
Scanning the QR code

Step 3: Save Your Backup Codes (Critically Important!)

After enabling 2FA, Shopify will generate a list of 10 backup codes (Recovery codes).

  • Make sure to download or copy them.
  • Store them in a secure, safe place.
Why is this important? If you lose access to your phone, these codes are the only way to log in to your store without going through Shopify’s lengthy support process. Each code can be used only once.
Shopify Recovery Codes window

💡 If you work as part of a team, make sure that every staff member with access to the admin panel has also completed this setup.

Have questions? Contact us