Problem: The Admin API access token for a custom app created via the Dev Dashboard wasn’t visible; the expected “API credentials” section/tab didn’t appear, even after setting scopes and repeatedly reinstalling on a development store.
Attempts and suggestions:
Guidance to create the app in the Dev Dashboard, configure Admin API scopes, install, and copy the one-time token. If missed, uninstall/reinstall to regenerate.
Some considered using “legacy custom apps” due to possible UI changes/bugs and documentation mismatch.
Frustration with support and advice to use developer forums for technical issues.
Key observation: For at least some users, the “API credentials” area was absent, suggesting a potential bug or account-specific issue, especially on dev stores.
Resolution: The OP switched to Shopify’s Client Credentials Grant (CCG) flow (per the Shopify docs) to programmatically obtain the Admin API access token and confirmed success via curl.
Status: Resolved for the OP (asked to mark a solution). The underlying UI/Docs inconsistency remains unconfirmed; no official fix was reported.
Summarized with AI on December 11.
AI used: gpt-5.
I might be missing something. The problem is, I can not figure out where the Admin API access token is located.
Steps:
- Go to the store admin > Settings > Apps and Sales channel > Develop apps > Build apps in dev dashboard
- Create the app, I selected some Admin API scopes. (Ex: read_products)
- Set distribution method (Custom distribution one store)
- I got the install link, the app gets installed in the shop, and after that immediately redirects to the app URL (even if I did not set an app redirect URL)
- Everything looks good, except that I can not find the “Admin API access token”
- I believe I did try everything, got back to the store > Apps and Sales channel > My app … nothing related to credentials
You should use your Dev Dashboard to create new custom apps. You can allow legacy app development from store admin. But it will best to go with dev dashboard. There you can create a new app and then check app settings for credentials.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to answer. I am using the Dev Dashboard. I don’t know why this is happening, maybe because I don’t own a real shop, and I am using this on a dev shop.
The documentation points to:
The app’s permanent access token is created and shown once when you create the custom app in the Shopify admin. You can see it here: Shop Admin → Settings → Apps and sales channels → Develop apps → Your Custom App → API Credentials.
The problem is that I can not find any API Credentials section there. Tried everything, it’s driving me crazy. I believe it is something they released recently. I wonder if it’s a bug.
Yes, I did try that multiple times, even delete and re-create the app at least 30 times : ) . Anyway, this is a personal project, and I am going to put it aside for a while.
It is driving me crazy as well. Someone at Shopify must have messedup something. After reading this: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/apps/app-types/custom-apps, I realized I should just do it in the “legacy custom apps” instead, and just hope the documentation and functionality for this is better once we get forced to do it in the newest way
Yeah, it was driving me crazy as well. I postponed the project. I thought in a week or two someone would fix the thing, or throw some print-screens at those docs. I already spent time with the support, sending print-screens and all, and I could not get an answer. I believe I would need to record a video, but I am afraid that first-level support won’t be able to help me out anyway. The thing is, I find it hard to believe that Shopify messed something up, they always had the proper docs & all.
Hi, I’ve already done that like 50 times now, the whole process, created and deleted like 40 apps, uninstall/install the same app, the problem: there is no “API credentials“ section. As I said, I should create a video and send it to support. Must be a bug related to my account. PS I am not the person to ask for help until I check, double-check everything.
The merchant forums are peer-to-peer, and an AI slopfest.
Shopify’s all but gutted support presence here, and even in the help/chat system itself.
For actual development issues use the actual developer forums.
Or if partner related use the partner-support; note the partner-slack is defunt and to be deleted Dec 15th.
Meanwhile solutions are not always instantaneous this is a platform with 5+ MILLION merchants.
DX is third class citizen on shopify.
The only way to get instant or time sensitive solutions is to just make your own ecom stack and and become the solution.
wuth? HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH rofl , never have I ever.
, never have I ever.