How do I sync inventory between Shopify online and Shopify POS?

Inventory syncing between your Shopify online store and Shopify POS happens automatically in real time. Once inventory tracking is enabled for products or variants and assigned to locations, Shopify updates stock levels across all sales channels without manual syncing.

Automatic Inventory Synchronization

Shopify POS automatically connects with your Shopify admin, which acts as the central hub for all inventory data. Whenever a product is sold, restocked, returned, or transferred, stock levels update across:

• Your online store
• All retail locations using Shopify POS
• Other active sales channels

This unified system helps prevent overselling and eliminates manual inventory reconciliation.

Important: Enable Inventory Tracking First

Inventory will only sync if tracking is enabled. The setup process depends on whether your product has variants.

Products Without Variants

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Products.
2. Select the product.
3. Scroll to the Inventory section.
4. Turn on the Track quantity (Inventory not tracked) toggle.
5. Enter available quantity.
6. If using multiple locations, choose where the product is stocked.
7. Click Save.

Products With Variants (Sizes, Colors, etc.)

You must enable tracking for each variant individually.

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Products.
2. Open the product.
3. Click each variant (e.g., Small, Medium, Large).
4. In the Inventory section, enable Track quantity.
5. Enter available units for that specific variant.
6. Assign inventory to locations if applicable.
7. Click Save.

Tip: You can use the Bulk Editor to update multiple variants at once.

Enable Multi-Location Inventory

If you use Shopify POS at multiple stores:

• Create all locations in Settings → Locations.
• Assign inventory quantities to each location.
• Select the correct selling location on each POS device.

Only inventory assigned to a selected POS location will be available for sale at that store.

How Real-Time Sync Works

After tracking is enabled:

• Online sales instantly update POS inventory.
• In-store POS sales instantly update online inventory.
• Stock typically syncs within 30 seconds (up to 5 minutes during high traffic).

Offline Inventory Sync

If Shopify POS goes offline:

• Sales are recorded locally.
• Inventory updates are queued.
• Once internet reconnects, orders and inventory automatically sync.

Manual Sync (If Needed)

1. Open Shopify POS.
2. Tap the Settings (⚙️) icon.
3. Select Data synchronization.
4. Tap Refresh all.

Best Practices to Prevent Overselling

• Enable tracking for all products and variants.
• Assign accurate quantities per location.
• Perform regular physical inventory counts.
• Keep Shopify POS updated.
• Ensure stable internet connectivity.

Quick Summary

Shopify automatically syncs inventory between your online store and Shopify POS. You only need to enable inventory tracking at the product or variant level and assign quantities to locations. After setup, Shopify handles all synchronization automatically across every sales channel.