Main issue: How Shopify handles checkout for a returning customer who has an account but is logged out and uses the same email.
Clarification requested: With “Require customers to log in before checkout” turned off, can the customer complete checkout as a guest, or must they sign in?
Confirmed behavior: If that setting is disabled, Shopify allows guest checkout with the same email, even if an account exists for that address. The platform does not force sign-in in this scenario.
Context: The setting controls whether login is mandatory before checkout; when off, checkout remains accessible to both guests and account holders.
Outcome: The question received a direct confirmation with no reported exceptions or additional steps required.
Status: Resolved; no further action items or disagreements noted. No images or code involved.
Summarized with AI on December 19.
AI used: gpt-5.
I have a question about Shopify’s default checkout behavior.
Scenario:
A customer creates an account on a Shopify store and completes a purchase. Later on, they come back to the same store, are logged out, and want to make another purchase using the same email address.
If the customer does not log in again, does Shopify:
– allow them to complete the checkout as a guest using the same email?
– or require them to sign in before completing the purchase?
I’m assuming this is the default behavior when “Require customers to log in before checkout” is disabled, but I’d like to confirm.
@linaaaa Thanks for reaching out to Shopify community with your concern. Your assumption is correct - as long as that setting is off, Shopify will allow guest checkout using the same email, and it does not require a customer to sign in. Given that the customer already have an account on the store previously.
In addition, most stores have Shop’s integrated buy now button on the product page, and if you have a Shop Pay account it can auto-populate the buy now button with your card. Even when signed out. Even if you go to a new store. Depends on your browser cache and the way you set up your Shop account.
