Unable to Update Fulfillment Tracking Status in Shopify via Script and App Integration

Technical Q&A
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Topic summary

A user is experiencing issues updating tracking statuses in Shopify through a custom integration. They’ve built a private app connected to Google Sheets that successfully fetches carrier tracking updates via script, but these updates fail to reflect on Shopify order pages when pushed back through the app.

Key troubleshooting steps suggested:

  • Update “Fulfillment Events” within a Fulfillment object, not just the order itself
  • Follow proper sequence: retrieve Fulfillment ID → add new Fulfillment Event with tracking update
  • Verify app permissions include: read_orders, write_orders, write_fulfillments
  • Confirm correct API usage, accurate tracking status values, and valid fulfillment IDs

The issue remains unresolved, with the original poster yet to confirm whether these suggestions resolved the problem.

Summarized with AI on October 28. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi everyone,

I’m currently facing an issue with updating tracking statuses directly in Shopify.

I’ve tried creating a private app and linking it to a Google Sheet using a script that fetches updated tracking information from my carrier (which unfortunately does not update tracking automatically in Shopify). The script seems to run fine and pulls the correct status updates into the sheet, but when I try to push those updates back into Shopify using the app, nothing changes on the order page — the tracking status remains outdated.

Has anyone dealt with this kind of setup before? Is there something I might be missing in how Fulfillment Events or tracking updates are supposed to be structured in the API?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

2

Hi,

Hope this will help

  • Shopify doesn’t just let you change tracking status by updating the order. You need to update something called a “Fulfillment Event” inside a Fulfillment

  • Follow Right Order of Actions

  • Get Fulfillment ID for the Order and Add a New Tracking Update (Fulfillment Event)

  • Make Sure Your App Has These Permissions

  • read_orders

  • write_orders

  • write_fulfillments

Also check following

  • App using correct API
  • There is no typos in tracking status
  • Using correct fulfillment ID