Hi @Victor_5 ,
I understand the rationale for Shopify not wanting to enable the deletion of stores, but rather just archive them. However, I think it should be suggested to the UX department to update the UI so that that"archived" stores do not appear in the dropdown, rather segregated to all stores or some other category that enables it to be out of site and hence out of mind.
Topic summary
Core Issue:
Users cannot fully delete Shopify development stores—only archive them. Archived stores remain visible in the Partner Dashboard, causing confusion and frustration.
Key Problems Identified:
- No “delete” option exists for development stores, only “archive”
- Archived stores still appear in store lists (though marked as archived)
- Development stores block complete Shopify account deletion
- URL conflicts occur when archived dev stores occupy desired store names
- Some users report auto-created dev stores they never intentionally set up
Workarounds Mentioned:
- Archive stores via Partner Dashboard: Stores > Actions > Archive
- Transfer the store or convert to a paid plan (then cancel subscription)
- For complete account closure: Submit data deletion request through Privacy Controls page
Official Response:
Shopify staff confirmed development stores are intentionally non-deletable by design—they cost nothing and can be left archived indefinitely. Feedback about improving UI to better hide archived stores has been forwarded to developers.
Status: Unresolved—users seeking complete deletion remain frustrated with current limitations.
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