Fix Safari Enable Cookies Loop in Your Shopify App

Are you struggling with an infinite ‘Enable cookies’ loop when users try to access your Shopify embedded app from Safari? This frustrating issue has been affecting many developers and store owners, causing headaches for both app creators and users. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the root causes of this problem and provide you with effective solutions to get your app running smoothly across all browsers.

Understanding the Safari ‘Enable Cookies’ Loop

What Causes the Loop?

The ‘Enable cookies’ loop in Safari is primarily caused by the browser’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) feature. This security measure aims to protect users’ privacy by blocking third-party cookies. However, it can interfere with the normal functioning of Shopify embedded apps, which rely on cookies for authentication and session management.

Impact on Shopify Apps

This issue affects embedded Shopify apps built using various libraries and frameworks. Even apps created using Shopify’s official demo React app have encountered this problem. The loop typically occurs during the app installation process or when users attempt to access the app after installation.

Browser Compatibility

While the issue is most prominent in Safari, some users have reported similar behavior in other browsers like Firefox and Chrome. This suggests that the problem may extend beyond Safari’s ITP and could be related to broader changes in browser security policies.

Solutions and Workarounds

Updating to the Latest Shopify Libraries

The most effective solution to this problem is to update your app to use the latest version of Shopify’s authentication libraries. Shopify has released updates to address this issue specifically.

Using koa-shopify-auth

If you’re using the koa-shopify-auth library, updating to version 3.1.61 or later should resolve the Safari cookie loop issue. To update, run the following command in your project directory:

npm install @shopify/koa-shopify-auth@latest

After updating, make sure to test your app thoroughly to ensure the issue has been resolved.

Implementing Cookieless Authentication

To provide a more robust solution that works across all browsers, Shopify has introduced cookieless authentication using session tokens. This method eliminates the need for cookies altogether, bypassing the issues caused by browser security measures.

Steps to Implement Cookieless Authentication:

Update your app to use App Bridge 2.0 or later.
Implement the session token flow in your backend.
Use the session token for API calls instead of cookies.

For detailed instructions on implementing cookieless authentication, refer to Shopify’s official documentation at https://shopify.dev/tools/app-bridge/authentication.

Temporary Browser-Based Workarounds

While waiting for a permanent solution or if you’re unable to update your app immediately, you can suggest the following workarounds to your users:

Safari:

Go to Safari Preferences
Navigate to the Privacy tab
Uncheck the “Prevent cross-site tracking” option

Chrome:

Go to Chrome Settings
Search for “cookies”
Allow third-party cookies for your app’s domain

It’s important to note that these workarounds may compromise user privacy and should only be used as temporary measures.

Best Practices for Shopify App Development

Staying Up-to-Date with Shopify Libraries

To avoid similar issues in the future, make it a habit to regularly update your Shopify-related dependencies. This includes:

@shopify/koa-shopify-auth
@shopify/app-bridge
Any other Shopify-specific libraries you’re using

Testing Across Multiple Browsers

Always test your app on various browsers and versions to ensure compatibility. Pay special attention to Safari, as it often has stricter security measures that can affect app functionality.

Monitoring for Issues

Keep an eye on your app’s error logs and user feedback. Early detection of browser-specific issues can help you address them before they affect a large number of users.

Implementing Progressive Enhancement

Design your app with progressive enhancement in mind. This approach ensures that core functionality works even if certain features (like cookies) are disabled or unavailable.

Future-Proofing Your Shopify App

Embracing New Authentication Methods

As browsers continue to evolve and implement stricter security measures, it’s crucial to stay informed about new authentication methods. Shopify’s move towards cookieless authentication is a step in this direction.

Keeping an Eye on Browser Trends

Stay informed about upcoming changes in browser security policies. This knowledge will help you anticipate potential issues and adapt your app accordingly.

Engaging with the Shopify Developer Community

Participate in Shopify developer forums and discussions. This engagement can provide early warnings about emerging issues and access to community-driven solutions.

By following these guidelines and staying proactive in your app development approach, you can ensure that your Shopify embedded app remains functional and accessible across all browsers, providing a seamless experience for your users.