Will normal users not be able to use my app if I use Shopify PRO scopes?

Retired Boards Appdev Graphql Basics And Troubleshooting

Topic summary

Clarification requested on the impact of using Shopify Plus–tagged access scopes on app availability to non-Plus merchants.

  • Context: A Shopify app for SMS.to requires the “read_users” scope listed in Shopify’s access scopes documentation.
  • Concern: Scopes marked as “Shopify Plus” are ambiguously documented. The team asks whether requesting such scopes prevents installation or usage by non-Plus (normal) merchants, or whether only Plus merchants can use the specific features tied to those scopes.
  • Decision implication: Depending on the behavior, they may reduce or remove features to ensure the app is usable by the broader merchant base.
  • References: Links to Shopify’s access scope docs provided for “read_users.”
  • Status: No resolution or official clarification yet; the post seeks explicit guidance on the exact behavior when an app requests Plus-only scopes.
Summarized with AI on February 3. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Dear all,

We are building a Shopify app for our product SMS.to and for a certain feature we would need to use the Scope “read_users” as mentioned by you on https://shopify.dev/api/usage/access-scopes

The impact of using scopes that are tagged with “shopify plus” is not clearly explained.

If we build my Shopify app using one of those scopes, then all the Shopify customers who are not pro, will NOT be able to use my app?

Or will normal users not be able to use my app if we use Shopify PRO scopes?

Please help us understand the exact impact because that might require us to provide our app with less features only so that the full audience can use it.

Lars Roettgers
Intergo Telecom

1 Like