Enable SMS Subscription on Shopify Checkout

Table of Contents

• Why Enable Checkout SMS Opt-in
• Before You Begin
• Update Your Terms of Service
• Enable the Phone Number Field
• Turn On SMS Marketing Consent
• Enable the Welcome Message in Recart
• Best Practices
• What's Next

 

Why Enable Checkout SMS Opt-in

When shoppers complete a purchase, they're already engaged with your brand—making checkout an ideal moment to capture SMS consent. Subscribers who opt in here sync automatically to Recart, so you can message them right away.

Before You Begin

To enable SMS consent at checkout, you must have both of these published in Shopify:

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

If you don't have these set up yet, follow our guide: How to Create Privacy Policy and Terms of Service in Shopify.

Step 1: Update Your Terms of Service

To comply with SMS marketing regulations, add an SMS-specific section to your existing Terms of Service.

1. Copy the SMS terms template from our SMS Marketing Terms and Conditions Template article.
2. In Shopify, go to Settings > Policies.
3. Scroll down to the Terms of Service section.
4. Paste the SMS terms at the end of your existing document.
5. Click Save.

Step 2: Enable the Phone Number Field

You need to display the phone number field at checkout to collect SMS subscribers.

1. In Shopify, go to Settings > Checkout.
2. Find Shipping address phone number in the Customer information section.
3. Set it to Required or Optional.
4. Click Save.

Step 3: Turn On SMS Marketing Consent

This adds the SMS opt-in checkbox to your checkout page.

1. In Shopify, go to Settings > Checkout.
2. Scroll to the Marketing options section.
3. Check the box for SMS marketing.
4. Click Save.

Step 5: Enable the Welcome Message in Recart

Greet new checkout subscribers with an automated welcome message.

1. In Recart, go to SMS Welcome Messages.
2. Click on  Welcome Checkout Subscription.
3. Click Active.
   
   

Best Practices

• Required: Publish your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service before enabling SMS consent. Shopify won't allow the feature without them.
• Recommended: Set the phone number field to Optional rather than Required to avoid checkout friction.
• Recommended: Customize the checkbox label to set clear expectations (e.g., mention cart reminders or exclusive offers).
• Avoid: Using vague opt-in language that doesn't clearly state what subscribers will receive.
  
  

What's Next

Once checkout SMS opt-in is live, you can:

• Create a Welcome Flow to engage new subscribers immediately
• Set up Abandonment Flows  to recover lost sales
• Build segments to target checkout subscribers with tailored campaigns

If you have questions, contact our Customer Support team, we're happy to help.