Quick answer
- Shopify has a built-in automation, “Abandoned checkout emails by Shopify”, set up in Apps → Messaging → Automations.
- Shopify considers a checkout abandoned when a customer has entered their email but hasn’t paid for more than ten minutes.
- Email and SMS apps like Klaviyo and Omnisend add multi-step reminder flows.
- Fix the causes too: surprise costs, forced accounts, slow pages and few payment options.
Many shoppers leave before paying. Shopify gives you tools to win some of them back, and a few changes can stop them leaving in the first place.
Step 1: Turn on Shopify’s abandoned checkout emails
From Shopify’s Help Center, checked November 2026. Recovery works for the Online Store and Buy Button channels.
- In Shopify admin, go to Apps → Messaging → Automations.
- Open the abandoned checkout automation and choose Edit settings.
- Select Send abandoned checkout emails automatically.
- Choose who gets them and the Send after delay.
- Customize the email and save.
Step 2: Add a reminder sequence
Email marketing apps like Klaviyo and Omnisend support multi-email flows and SMS. Check their Shopify App Store listings for current pricing.
Step 3: Fix the reasons people leave
- Show shipping costs early.
- Offer guest checkout.
- Add trusted payment options.
- Speed up your store.
- Show return policies clearly.
Step 4: Write better recovery emails
- Show the products they left.
- Answer common questions.
- Offer help, and only sometimes a discount.
Using WooCommerce?
FAQs
Yes, Abandoned checkout emails by Shopify.
When an email is entered but payment isn’t completed for more than ten minutes.
Sometimes, but not always, or customers may learn to wait.
Yes, with apps that support SMS.
Often two or three, spaced over a few days.
Surprise costs, complicated checkout and slow pages are common causes.
