Admin / Improvement

The Shopify admin gets a new design
Search, notifications, and store switching move to the side nav; Sidekick becomes a floating chat

Rolling out gradually from September 15, 2026. Every page gets refreshed colors, typography, spacing, and icons inside a new frame. No setup is needed. The changes apply automatically to each store's admin.

On this page
  1. What's changing? (30-second overview)
  2. Layout diagram: what moved where
  3. List of changes
  4. Previous vs. new design
  5. Availability and requirements
  6. What merchants need to do (3 steps)
  7. 5 key points for developers
  8. 3 business use cases
  9. One-line summary for proposals

1What's changing?

The Shopify admin's look (colors, typography, spacing, and icons) is refreshed on every page , fitting into a new frame.
Alongside this, search, notifications, and store switching are consolidated in the side nav, andSidekick becomes a floating chat at the bottom of the screen.

Refreshed look

New colors, typography, spacing, and icons are applied to every page.

Side nav consolidation

Search, notifications, and store switching move to the side nav. You can collapse the side nav to give the page more working space.

Sidekick becomes a floating chat

Sidekick moves from a side panel to a floating chat at the bottom of every page, so you can open it from any screen.

2Layout diagram: what moved where

Before Store Search Nav Page content Sidekick Side panel Rolling out from 9/15 No setup required, applied automatically New design Store switcher Search Notifications « Collapsible Page content (more room) Sidekick chat
The "Before" layout in the diagram above is illustrative. The original article explicitly states only "Search, notifications, and the store switcher moved to the side navigation" and "Sidekick moved from the side panel to a floating chat at the bottom of the screen" —these two points. Check the Shopify Help Center for the exact placement of each element.

3Summary of changes

Visual changes applied to every page

Color
New colors
Aa
Type
New typography
Spacing
New spacing
Icons
New icons

What moved

To the side nav

Search, notifications, store switcher

All three moved to the side navigation.

New behavior

Collapsible side nav

Collapsing the side nav widens the page's content area.

To the bottom of the screen

Sidekick

Side panel → floating chat at the bottom of every page. Open it without leaving the screen you're working on.

4Before vs. new design

ItemBeforeNew design
Look Previous colors, type, spacing, and icons Refreshed New colors, type, spacing, and icons on every page, plus a new frame
Search / notifications / store switcher Not specified (previous placement) Side nav Consolidated into
Side nav Not specified Collapsible More room for the page
Sidekick Side panel Floating chat Bottom of every page
Setup — None required Rolls out automatically in phases

5Availability and requirements

No setup needed — arrives automatically

The new design is applied automatically to each store's admin. Merchants don't need to turn anything on.

Phased rollout

Rollout began on September 15, 2026 and continues gradually. Timing varies by store.

Eligible plans, regions, when the rollout reaches all stores, and whether you can switch back to the old design are not specified.

6What merchants need to do (3 steps)

1

Wait for the update

Because it's a phased rollout, just wait until it reaches your admin automatically.

2

Find things in the side nav

Confirm that search, notifications, and the store switcher are now in the side nav.

3

Learn Sidekick's new location

Open it from the floating chat at the bottom of the screen.

The original post directs readers to the Shopify Help Center page on the new design for details.

75 key points for technical teams

1. Phased rollout = stores may look different

At any given time, some stores may have the new design while others still have the old one. If you work across multiple stores, expect the admin to look different from store to store.

2. Key entry points move to the side nav

Search, notifications, and the store switcher move. Any internal procedures, user guides, or screenshots that reference their locations will be affected.

3. Sidekick is reachable from every page

It moves from the side panel to a floating chat at the bottom of the screen, so it's always within reach no matter which page you're on.

API ?

4. Impact on apps and APIs is not specified

The original post doesn't mention any impact on embedded app display, UI components such as Polaris, or APIs. App developers should check on a real store how their app appears inside the new frame.

5. Collapsible side nav = variable workspace width

Collapsing the side nav gives the page more room.If you use admin screenshots in documentation, they'll look different depending on whether the nav is open or collapsed,so capture them in the same state to keep your docs consistent.

83 practical use cases for your work

USE CASE 1

Updating operations manuals and client deliverables

Challenge
Admin operation manuals handed to clients include screenshots showing the old placement of search, notifications, the store switcher, and Sidekick.
Action
On a store that already has the new design, prioritize retaking screenshots and rewriting the pages covering the 4 relocated elements (search, notifications, store switcher, and Sidekick).
Impact
Fewer inquiries saying "the manual doesn't match the screen."
Technical note
Because the rollout is gradual, some stores may still have the old design. State clearly which version of the admin each document is based on.
NEW LOOK
USE CASE 2

Briefing store staff on what's changed in the new design

Challenge
Staff who use the admin every day may suddenly find it looks different and lose track of where search and notifications are.
Action
Before the rollout reaches your store, share a one-page summary of 3 points: "Search, notifications, and the store switcher move to the side navigation," "Sidekick becomes a chat at the bottom of the screen," and "The navigation can be collapsed."
Impact
Minimizes confusion and inquiries right after the switch.
Technical note
Since no setup is required, the briefing can simply say "things have moved" rather than "action is required."
USE CASE 3

Encouraging staff to use Sidekick right from the screen they're working on

Challenge
As a side panel, Sidekick was treated as separate from the work screen and rarely became part of daily tasks.
Action
Let staff know Sidekick is now a floating chat at the bottom of every page, and show them how to open it on the spot while editing products, checking orders, and so on.
Impact
Since Sidekick can be opened without switching screens, it gets used more in daily work.
Technical note
No changes to Sidekick's own features are mentioned. Only its position and how you open it have changed.

9One-line summary for proposals

"The Shopify admin has a new design across every page.
Search, notifications, and the store switcher move to the side navigation, and Sidekick becomes a chat at the bottom of the screen. No setup needed; it rolls out automatically in stages.
All you need to do is update your manuals and let staff know that things have moved."