Shopify checkout upgrade 2025: How to update thank you & order status pages for Plus and Non-Plus stores

In the Shopify admin dashboard, you see a notification: “Your Checkout, Thank You, and Order Status pages must be upgraded from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility.” This is a reminder of the upcoming changes that will impact how you manage your checkout experience.

For Plus stores, the deadline to upgrade Thank You and Order Status pages is August 28, 2025, while Non-Plus stores have until August 26, 2026. Missing these deadlines will result in an automatic upgrade by Shopify and the removal of all existing checkout.liquid and Additional Scripts customizations. You won’t be able to use unsupported scripts or apps anymore, and your checkout experience will revert to a default setup.

This Shopify checkout upgrade is about embracing a more secure, faster, and customizable checkout experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to update your Thank You and Order Status pages for both Plus and Non-Plus stores, ensuring your store remains competitive and compliant.

Why is Shopify changing the checkout?

Shopify’s decision to move away from checkout.liquid and introduce Checkout Extensibility is a strategic response to the evolving needs of merchants, customers, and regulatory standards. Let’s break down the key reasons behind this major shift:

1. Security and compliance

One of the most pressing reasons for this change is security. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) v4 has introduced stricter requirements for online payment systems. checkout.liquid, which has been around since 2021, is no longer equipped to meet these new standards. By transitioning to Checkout Extensibility, Shopify ensures that merchants remain compliant with global regulations while providing a secure checkout experience for customers.

Additionally, raw JavaScript injection via checkout.liquid poses significant risks, including vulnerabilities to malicious attacks. Shopify’s new system eliminates these risks by introducing Pixels and app blocks, which provide a safer and more controlled way to customize and track events.

2. Performance and speed

Speed is critical in eCommerce, every second counts when it comes to converting customers. The old checkout.liquid system was prone to slowdowns due to custom scripts and workarounds that developers often had to implement. These improvised solutions sometimes led to bugs or performance issues, negatively impacting the checkout experience.

With Checkout Extensibility, Shopify has streamlined the process, ensuring faster load times and a smoother checkout flow. Features like one-page checkout are designed to reduce friction and improve conversion rates, inspired by the success of Shop Pay.

3. Maintenance burden on merchants

Using checkout.liquid placed the responsibility of maintenance and bug fixes squarely on merchants. This meant that whenever Shopify updated its platform, merchants had to manually ensure their customizations remained functional. Over time, this became a significant burden, especially for stores with complex customizations.

The new system shifts this responsibility back to Shopify, allowing merchants to focus on running their businesses. Updates, bug fixes, and security patches are now handled automatically by Shopify, ensuring that your checkout remains stable and up-to-date without additional effort on your part.

4. Enhanced customization options

While checkout.liquid allowed some level of customization, it lacked flexibility and scalability. Developers often had to create workarounds to achieve desired functionality, which could lead to unreliable results.

Checkout Extensibility introduces powerful tools like app blocks, web pixels, and Shopify Functions, enabling merchants to customize their checkout experience in ways that were previously impossible. For example:

• Checkout branding: Easily add logos, change colors, and adjust fonts to match your brand identity. Learn more about checkout branding tools.
• Checkout extensions: Insert modules like trust badges, upsell offers, or FAQ sections at specific points in the checkout flow. Explore available extensions in the Shopify App Store.
• Advanced logic customization: Use Shopify Functions to modify discount logic, payment options, and fulfillment rules.

These features allow merchants to tailor their checkout experience to their exact needs while maintaining the reliability and security of Shopify’s managed system.

5. Future-proofing the platform

Shopify is committed to staying ahead of industry trends and technological advancements. The introduction of Checkout Extensibility is part of this vision. By phasing out checkout.liquid, Shopify is creating a foundation that can adapt to future changes, whether it’s integrating new technologies or meeting evolving customer expectations.

Key changes in the Shopify checkout upgrade

The Shopify Checkout upgrade marks a significant shift in how merchants interact with and customize their checkout process. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes and what they mean for your store:

1. Transition from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility

Shopify is phasing out checkout.liquid, the legacy system used for customizing checkouts, and replacing it with Checkout Extensibility, a more secure and scalable solution. Key aspects of this transition include:

• Deprecation of raw JavaScript injection:

Merchants can no longer inject raw JavaScript into the checkout process. This change aligns with Shopify’s goals of improving security and performance.

• Introduction of Pixels for tracking customer events:

Instead of relying on custom scripts, merchants can now use Pixels to track customer events like “add to cart,” “checkout begin,” and “purchase.” Tools like Analyzify and Taggrs.io make this migration easier by simplifying the setup of tracking codes.

• Use of App Blocks for design and functionality customization:

App blocks allow merchants to add custom components such as trust badges, upsell offers, or FAQ sections directly into the checkout flow. These blocks are pre-built, easy to integrate, and fully supported by Shopify.

2. New features

The new checkout system introduces several features designed to enhance the customer experience and provide merchants with greater flexibility:

• One-Page Checkout for faster conversions:
  Inspired by the success of Shop Pay, Shopify’s one-page checkout reduces friction during the checkout process, leading to higher conversion rates. Learn more about One-Page Checkout definition, benefits & optimizations.
• Enhanced branding tools for visual customization:
  Merchants can now use Checkout Branding tools to personalize the look and feel of their checkout pages. For example:
  • Add logos to the checkout header.
  • Customize fonts, colors, and background styles.
  • Adjust the layout to match your brand identity.

These tools ensure a seamless shopping experience that aligns with your store’s aesthetic.

• Checkout Extensions for adding modules:
  With Checkout Extensions, merchants can insert modules like upsell offers, trust badges, or FAQ sections at specific points in the checkout flow. Explore available extensions in the Shopify App Store.

To help you understand which features are available based on your Shopify plan, here’s a comparison of app types and their availability:

3. Deadlines

To ensure a smooth transition, Shopify has set clear deadlines for merchants:

• August 13, 2024: checkout.liquid stops working for Information, Shipping, and Payment pages.
• January 6, 2025: Auto-upgrades begin for stores still using checkout.liquid.
• August 28, 2025: Deadline for Plus stores to upgrade Thank You and Order Status pages.
• August 26, 2026: Deadline for Non-Plus stores to complete the migration.

Missing these deadlines could result in lost functionality, delayed payouts, and unreliable fraud indicators.

Technical note for web pixels users

If you’re using web pixels for tracking, there’s an important update you should be aware of.

As of April 30, 2025, the event.data.checkout.subtotalPrice.amount value has been updated on the new /thank-you page and checkout events. Previously, this value included the sum of all line item prices and product-level discounts only. Now, it reflects the sum after both product-level and order-level discounts, aligning it with the old /thank_you page.

This change impacts the following events:

• checkout_completed (on the new /thank-you page only)
• checkout_started
• checkout_address_info_submitted
• checkout_shipping_info_submitted
• checkout_contact_info_submitted
• payment_info_submitted

If you’re using any of these events, make sure your pixel setup expects both product and order-level discounts in the subtotal field.

Step-by-step guide for Non-Plus stores

For merchants on a Non-Plus Shopify subscription plan, the deadline to upgrade your Thank You and Order Status pages is August 26, 2026. While this gives you more time compared to Plus stores, it’s still crucial to start early to avoid last-minute stress. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process smoothly:

Step 1: Review upgrade guide

The first step is to identify the customizations currently applied to your Thank You and Order Status pages. Shopify provides a personalized upgrade guide in your admin dashboard to help you with this.

• Why it matters: This guide identifies all existing customizations, including those using checkout.liquid, additional scripts, or apps that rely on script tags.
• How to access it:
  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
  2. In the Configurations section, click Upgrade Thank You and Order Status pages by August 26, 2026 to expand the notice.
  3. Click Review Customizations to open your personalized upgrade report.

• If your upgrade guide is empty, you can skip directly to Step 5: Publish Customizations.

Step 2: Manage compatible apps

Next, review the apps installed on your store that are compatible with the new Thank You and Order Status pages. These apps have already been updated by their developers to work with Checkout Extensibility.

• What to do:
  • On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the Apps section.
  • In the Tracking and Analytics section, click Manage next to an app to set up app pixel tracking for the new pages.
  • In the Page Customizations section, click Add App Blocks to recreate your customizations using app blocks.
• Tools to explore:
  • Use tools like Analyzify or Taggrs.io to simplify tracking migrations.
  • Learn more about customizing your checkout with apps in Shopify’s official guide: Customizing Checkout and Accounts with Apps.

Step 3: Handle incompatible apps

Some of your installed apps may not yet be compatible with the new system. For these apps, you’ll need to take action to ensure functionality isn’t lost.

• What to do:
  1. On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the Incompatible Apps section.
  2. For Custom Apps, update them to use UI Extensions or Web Pixels instead of script tags.
  3. For third-party apps, contact the app developer for support or explore alternative apps in the Shopify App Store.
• Example scenario:
  If you’re using a trust badge app that relies on checkout.liquid, check if the developer has released an updated version that supports Checkout Extensibility. If not, consider switching to a similar app that does.

Step 4: Replace additional scripts

If you’ve been using additional scripts to customize your Thank You and Order Status pages, these will no longer work after the upgrade. You’ll need to migrate these scripts to the new system using app pixels or other supported methods.

• Categories of scripts:
  1. Customer Events: Track actions like “add to cart” or “purchase.”
  2. Marketing: Add dynamic content or promotions.
  3. Order Management: Customize order confirmation details.
  4. Styling: Adjust the visual appearance of the pages.
  5. Tag Manager: Integrate tools like Google Tag Manager.
• How to replace scripts:
  1. On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the Additional Scripts section.
  2. Review each script and follow the provided guidance to replace it.
  3. Use web pixels to replicate tracking functionality without compromising security or performance.

Step 5: Publish customizations

Once you’ve completed the previous steps, it’s time to activate the new Thank You and Order Status pages.

• How to publish:
  • From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
  • In the Configurations section, click Open Upgrade Report.
  • From the Upgrade Guide page, click Upgrade to publish your changes.
• What happens next:
  • Your old pages will be replaced with the new versions.
  • Any customizations made using app blocks and web pixels will now be live.

Reverting to old versions (optional)

If you’re not satisfied with the new pages, you can revert to the old versions, but only under specific conditions:

• Eligibility criteria:
  • Your store was created before January 6, 2025.
  • Your store has pre-existing customizations to your Thank You and Order Status pages using additional scripts or apps that use script tags.
  • You manually upgraded your Thank You and Order Status pages less than 30 days ago.
• Steps to revert:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
2. In the Order Status Page Additional Scripts section, click the Revert link.
3. Select a reason for reverting, and then click Revert.

• Important note:
  • After reverting, your customizations made with app blocks and web pixels will be saved as a draft configuration that you can update and publish again later.
  • If you don’t upgrade your pages again before August 26, 2026, your Thank You and Order Status pages will be auto-upgraded to the new system.

Step-by-step guide for Plus stores

For merchants on the Shopify Plus plan, upgrading your Thank You and Order Status pages is a critical step to ensure compliance with Shopify’s new standards. The deadline for this upgrade is August 28, 2025, but it’s important to start early to avoid disruptions. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process smoothly:

Step 1: Review your upgrade guide

The first step is to review the personalized upgrade guide provided by Shopify. This guide identifies all existing customizations on your Thank You and Order Status pages, including those using checkout.liquid, additional scripts, or apps that rely on script tags.

• Why it matters: The upgrade guide helps you understand which customizations need to be replaced and how to recreate them using the new system.
• How to access it:
  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
  2. In the Configurations section, click Upgrade Thank You and Order Status pages by August 28, 2025 to expand the notice.
  3. Click Review Customizations to open your personalized upgrade report.

Note: If your upgrade guide is empty, you can skip directly to Step 6: Replace Your Thank You and Order Status Pages.

Step 2: Review and upgrade compatible installed apps

Next, review the apps installed on your store that are compatible with the new Thank You and Order Status pages. These apps have already been updated by their developers to work with Checkout Extensibility.

• What to do:
  • On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the Apps section.
  • In the Tracking and Analytics section, click Manage next to an app to set up app pixel tracking for the new pages.
  • In the Page Customizations section, click Add App Blocks to recreate your customizations using app blocks.
• Tools to explore:
  • Use tools like Analyzify or Taggrs.io to simplify tracking migrations.
  • Learn more about customizing your checkout with apps in Shopify’s official guide: Customizing Checkout and Accounts with Apps.

Step 3: Review and manage incompatible installed apps

Some of your installed apps may not yet be compatible with the new system. For these apps, you’ll need to take action to ensure functionality isn’t lost.

• What to do:
  1. On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the Incompatible Apps section.
  2. For Custom Apps, update them to use UI Extensions or Web Pixels instead of script tags.
  3. For third-party apps, contact the app developer for support or explore alternative apps in the Shopify App Store.

Restrictions:

• If an app hasn’t been updated to support Checkout Extensibility, you won’t be able to use it after the upgrade.

Step 4: Review and replace your existing additional scripts customizations

If you’ve been using additional scripts to customize your Thank You and Order Status pages, these will no longer work after the upgrade. You’ll need to migrate these scripts to the new system using app pixels or other supported methods.

• Categories of scripts:
  1. Customer Events: Track actions like “add to cart” or “purchase.”
  2. Marketing: Add dynamic content or promotions.
  3. Order Management: Customize order confirmation details.
  4. Styling: Adjust the visual appearance of the pages.
  5. Tag Manager: Integrate tools like Google Tag Manager.
• How to replace scripts:
  1. On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the Additional Scripts section.
  2. Review each script and follow the provided guidance to replace it.
  3. Use web pixels to replicate tracking functionality without compromising security or performance.

Step 5: Review and replace customizations created using checkout.liquid

If you’ve been using checkout.liquid to customize your Thank You and Order Status pages, these customizations will no longer work after the upgrade. You’ll need to migrate these customizations to the new system using Checkout Extensibility.

• How to Replace Customizations:
  1. On the Upgrade Guide page, go to the checkout.liquid section.
  2. Review each customization and follow the provided guidance to replace it.
  3. Use app blocks and web pixels to recreate functionality.

Key Note: Starting January 6, 2025, Shopify will begin auto-upgrading stores that still use checkout.liquid. If you don’t upgrade manually, your customizations will be lost, and your store will revert to default settings.

Step 6: Replace your Thank You and Order Status pages to publish customizations

Once you’ve completed the previous steps, it’s time to activate the new Thank You and Order Status pages.

• How to publish:
  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
  2. In the Configurations section, click Open Upgrade Report.
  3. From the Upgrade Guide page, click Upgrade to publish your changes.

What happens next:

• Your old pages will be replaced with the new versions.
• Any customizations made using app blocks and web pixels will now be live.

Reverting or downgrading pages

If you’re not satisfied with the new pages, you can revert or downgrade to the old versions, but only under specific conditions:

• Your store was created before January 6, 2025.
• Your store has pre-existing customizations using checkout.liquid, additional scripts, or apps that use script tags.
• You manually upgraded your Thank You and Order Status pages less than 30 days ago.
• Steps to Revert:
  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Checkout.
  2. In the Order Status Page Additional Scripts section, click Revert if your pages previously used checkout.liquid or additional scripts.
  3. Select a reason for reverting and confirm your choice.

Restrictions:

• After reverting, your customizations made with app blocks and web pixels will be saved as a draft configuration.
• If you don’t upgrade again before August 28, 2025, your pages will be auto-upgraded to the new system.

Impact of missing the August 13, 2024 deadline

If you missed the August 13, 2024 deadline to upgrade from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility, your store is now experiencing the following impacts:

• Customizations locked: Shopify no longer provides customer support for updating or fixing checkout.liquid customizations.
• Payment gateways locked: You are unable to deactivate payment gateways or switch providers.
• Risk indicators disabled: Fraud indicators and recommendations in the admin are unavailable for new orders.
• Slower payouts: Orders are flagged as higher risk, and payouts may be delayed by up to 5 days.

Auto-upgrades starting January 6, 2025

As of January 6, 2025, Shopify will begin auto-upgrading checkouts that still use checkout.liquid. This means:

• The Information, Shipping, and Payment pages will revert to a default state, losing all checkout.liquid customizations.
• Brand settings from your online store theme editor will be applied automatically, but any visual customizations made through.liquid or associated JavaScript/CSS files won’t be loaded.

Exclusive features for Plus stores

As a Shopify Plus merchant, you have access to advanced features that aren’t available to Non-Plus stores. These include:

• Advanced Integrations: Seamlessly integrate third-party services like ERP systems, CRM platforms, or custom APIs.
• Upsell Modules: Add upsell offers or cross-sell recommendations during the checkout process.
• Custom Logic: Use Shopify Functions to implement complex business rules, such as dynamic pricing, custom discounts, or order routing logic.

These features allow Plus merchants to create a highly tailored checkout experience that meets their unique business needs.

Conclusion and next steps

The Shopify Checkout upgrade is a pivotal step toward creating a faster, more secure, and highly customizable checkout experience. By transitioning to Checkout Extensibility, merchants can enjoy enhanced performance, improved security, and greater flexibility ,all while reducing the burden of maintenance.

To ensure a smooth transition:

1. Start early: Begin the upgrade process now to avoid last-minute stress.
2. Follow the steps: Use the detailed guide provided in this blog to navigate each stage of the upgrade.
3. Seek expert help: If you’re unsure where to start, consider partnering with a trusted Shopify Plus Partner.

Checkout migrations like this one are one of the most common projects our Shopify Plus agency runs for merchants racing the deadline.

Flatline Agency is a Shopify Plus Partner ready to guide you through this upgrade. Contact us today to ensure your store remains secure, fast, and optimized.