As a Shopify development agency working with many Shopify merchants, we’re excited to share our insights about Shopify’s latest Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) update. This update is starting to role out gradually, so you may find your store has access to it soon. For clients it raises a lot of questions or may even be a source of concern. We hope that by identifying the benefits in this short article we can demonstrate how it will be a significant improvement to user management.
Why This Update Matters
For growing businesses, managing team permissions has always been a delicate balance between security and efficiency. The new RBAC model, officially announced by Shopify, addresses common pain points we’ve seen our clients face, particularly when scaling their operations.
Key Benefits for Your Business
Streamlined User Management
The new system introduces role-based permissions that can be assigned to multiple users simultaneously. According to Shopify’s official documentation, you can now create standardized roles with specific permission sets that match your team’s needs.
More Flexible Permission Structure
One of the most valuable improvements is the ability to assign multiple roles to a single user. The new system allows for more granular control over permissions while maintaining simplicity in user management.
Critical Actions Required Before May 1, 2025
1. Audit Your Current User Permissions
Start by reviewing all users who currently have “User Management” permissions. Shopify has provided a detailed guide on migrating users to the new role-based system.
2. Plan Your Role Structure
Follow these steps outlined in Shopify’s migration guide:
- Document all your current user types and their required permissions
- Design standardized roles that match your operational needs
- Consider creating role templates for common positions in your organization
3. Handle Legacy Access Migration
Users with old permission settings will be marked with a ‘Legacy Access’ badge. Shopify provides comprehensive instructions for managing roles in your organization to ensure a smooth transition.
Best Practices We Recommend
1. Create Clear Role Definitions
Document each role’s purpose and permissions using Shopify’s permission descriptions guide as a reference.
2. Implement the Principle of Least Privilege
Only grant permissions that are essential for each role, following Shopify’s recommended security practices.
3. Regular Permission Audits
Schedule quarterly reviews of user roles and permissions to ensure they align with your current business needs and security requirements.
Looking Ahead
This update is part of Shopify’s broader initiative to improve Organizations and User Management, providing more sophisticated tools for growing businesses.
If you need assistance transitioning to the new RBAC system or would like to optimize your store’s permission structure, our team is here to help ensure a smooth migration while maintaining your business operations.
Additional Resources
- Official Shopify RBAC Announcement
- Complete Guide to User Roles and Permissions
- Migration Instructions
- Organization Settings and User Management
Remember: The May 1, 2025 deadline is important if you have lots of admin users. After this date, any remaining legacy access permissions will be automatically converted – to a role for each combination active in your store. If you have lots of users this may lead to some annoying cleanup work. We recommend starting your migration planning early to ensure a controlled transition that aligns with your business needs. If you have only a few users, <5 – then you can probably ignore the message for now and just wait for the automatic transition to take place.
