Shopify partner apps must enable bulk operations before running them

Shopify is requiring partner apps to get access to bulk operations before they can run them. The change, published November 6, 2026, means apps need access before running bulk queries or bulk mutations with the GraphQL Admin API. The two operation types are enabled separately. An app that runs bulkOperationRunQuery needs bulk query access, and an app that runs bulkOperationRunMutation needs bulk mutation access. If an app starts a bulk operation without access, the request returns an access denied error. The requirement applies to all GraphQL Admin API versions.

The rule covers public apps and custom apps that partners build and that run bulk operations. Apps that merchants create in the Shopify admin or the Dev Dashboard are not affected at this time. Apps that already run bulk operations already have access enabled, which partners can confirm in the Partner Dashboard. Apps that have not run a bulk query or bulk mutation in the last 31 days lose access to that operation type and must enable it again.

Why it matters

Integrations that depend on bulk jobs can fail with access denied errors without any code change on the developer’s side. Access applies to every store that has the app installed, so one missed setting can disrupt data syncs for all of those merchants at once. Checking access now helps partners avoid failed jobs later.

What to do

In the Partner Dashboard, go to Apps, select your app, and click API access requests in the sidebar. Under Run bulk operations, click Allow bulk queries, Allow bulk mutations, or both, depending on what your app runs. You do not need to change app configuration, release a new version, or ask merchants to reinstall. For full details, check Shopify’s documentation on enabling access to bulk operations.