Shopify Domain Already Connected to Another Store: How to Fix It
Quick Answer
If Shopify says your third-party domain is already connected to another Shopify store, you usually do not need access to the old store first. Start the connection from the new store. Shopify will prompt you to verify that you own the domain, either automatically with a supported domain provider or manually by adding a unique TXT record.
For manual ownership verification, Shopify provides a unique value that you add as a TXT record. For a root domain, the record name is shopify_verification. After Shopify verifies ownership and connects the domain to the new store, the domain should be removed automatically from the original store.
What This Error Means
The message This domain is already connected to another Shopify store means Shopify already associates that third-party domain with a different Shopify store. This can happen when you are moving your own domain between stores, when a previous store still has the domain connected, or when you acquire a domain that was previously used with Shopify.
Shopify's current process is designed to let the legitimate domain owner move a third-party domain without first logging in to the store where it is currently connected. You prove control of the domain during the connection process on the new store.
Important: This guide applies to third-party domains that are registered outside Shopify. Shopify-managed domains use a different transfer process.
Before You Verify Ownership: Check the Shopify DNS Records
Before starting verification, make sure the third-party domain is configured to connect to Shopify. For a standard manual connection, Shopify currently requires these web DNS records:
| Record Type | Host / Name | Value / Target |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ | 23.227.38.65 or the valid Shopify regional IPv4 address shown for your store |
| AAAA | @ | 2620:0127:f00f:5:: |
| CNAME | www | shops.myshopify.com. |
Shopify can provide a valid regional A-record address with a different final number, so use the value displayed in Settings > Domains if Shopify gives your store a different supported address.
Do not remove MX, SPF, DKIM, or unrelated TXT records used for email or other services. Only change records that conflict with the Shopify web-domain connection.
If your domain has additional root A or AAAA records pointing elsewhere, remove the conflicting records. If you later see a certificate warning, review our Shopify SSL Pending troubleshooting guide.
Method 1: Verify the Domain Automatically
Shopify supports automatic ownership verification for some third-party domain providers. If the automatic option is offered for your provider:
- From Shopify Admin, go to Settings > Domains.
- Click Connect existing.
- Enter the root domain, such as
example.com, and click Next. - When Shopify says that the domain requires verification, click Connect automatically if that option is available.
- Sign in to your domain provider when prompted and authorize the required DNS verification record.
- Return to Shopify and allow the verification process to complete.
Shopify states that domain ownership verification can take up to 48 hours.
Method 2: Verify the Domain Manually With a TXT Record
If automatic verification is unavailable, use Shopify's manual TXT-record process:
- In the new Shopify store, open Settings > Domains.
- Click Connect existing.
- Enter the domain and click Next.
- When the This domain requires verification notice appears, locate the Verify domain ownership section.
- Copy the unique TXT value Shopify provides.
- Open the DNS settings at your third-party domain provider.
- Create a TXT record with the name
shopify_verification. - Paste the unique value from Shopify into the TXT value field.
- Save the DNS record.
- Return to Shopify and click Verify connection.
If you are connecting a subdomain instead of the root domain, Shopify uses the format shopify_verification_[subdomain]. For example, for shop.example.com, the TXT record name is shopify_verification_shop.
What Happens to the Domain on the Original Store?
After Shopify verifies ownership and connects the third-party domain to the new store, Shopify says the domain should be automatically removed from the original store.
If the domain still appears in the original store after verification and you have access to that store, you can manually disconnect it from the original store's Domains page. You do not need access to the original store to begin the ownership-verification process on the new store.
If Verification Does Not Work
If Shopify does not verify the TXT record immediately, do not keep changing random DNS records. Check the following first:
- The TXT record name is exactly
shopify_verificationfor the root domain. - The TXT value exactly matches the unique value shown in the new Shopify store.
- You added the record to the correct domain's authoritative DNS provider.
- The domain's A, AAAA, and
wwwCNAME records are configured for Shopify. - You have allowed enough time for DNS changes to propagate.
Shopify lets you try Verify connection again. Its current documentation also notes that you can choose Add domain anyway, in which case the domain displays a Verifying banner while verification is pending.
If the This domain requires verification message does not appear at all, Shopify says that the domain is not currently connected to another Shopify store. In that case, follow the normal domain connection process instead.
When to Contact Support
Contact your third-party domain provider if you cannot add the TXT record, cannot identify the authoritative DNS settings, or your public DNS results do not match the records in the provider's dashboard.
Contact Shopify Support if the DNS configuration and ownership record are correct and fully propagated but Shopify still cannot complete the connection. Shopify Support cannot log in to a third-party domain provider account and change those DNS settings for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need access to the old Shopify store?
No. For a third-party domain, Shopify's current ownership-verification process starts from the new store. You can verify ownership without accessing the store where the domain is currently connected.
What TXT record name should I use?
For a root third-party domain, Shopify instructs you to use shopify_verification as the TXT record name and the unique value shown in your Shopify admin as the TXT value.
How long can verification take?
Shopify advises that domain ownership verification can take up to 48 hours. Avoid relying on short fixed estimates such as 15 or 60 minutes.
Does moving the domain delete the old store's products or orders?
No. Moving the custom domain changes which Shopify store the web address points to. It does not delete the other store's products, orders, or theme data.
Is this the same as transferring a Shopify-managed domain?
No. The TXT ownership-verification process described here is for a third-party connected domain. Shopify-managed domains follow Shopify's separate domain-transfer process.
