# Connect stores

This guide shows how to connect two Shopify stores so Tipo Sync can sync products, inventory, and other data between them.

In Multi-store sync, you will connect:

* **Source store** (sends data)
* **Destination store** (receives data)

## 🛠️ Step 1: Install the app and select store types 

Install Tipo Sync on **both** stores. Then open the app in each store to start the setup.

* Store 1: install the app and set it as the **Source store**
* Store 2: install the app and set it as the **Destination store**

## 🧭 Step 2: Complete the setup

When you open the app for the first time, a 3-step setup guides you through. A **live preview** of your sync map updates as you choose.

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### 1️⃣ Store mode

Choose how you want to use the app:

* **Single store**: keeps inventory synced within one store.
* **Multi-store**: synchronizes data across multiple stores.

To connect two stores, select **Multi-store**, then click **Next**.

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### 2️⃣ Store role

Choose the role of the store you are in:

* **Source store**: your main store where everything starts.
* **Destination store**: receives updates from the source store.

Select the role, then click **Next**.

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### 3️⃣ Default settings

Choose what store should sync to other stores (for source store)

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Choose what the store should receive (for Destination store).&#x20;

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Click **Finish** to complete the setup.

💡 **Tip:** You can change these options and set up more advanced options later in the **Settings** tab.

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## 🔑 Step 3: Connect the stores


:::note

**Note:** Connections are always started from the **Destination store**.

:::


### Get the connect code (in the Source store)

1. Open the app in the Source store  > app Dashboard
2. Find **Connection** **code** > click **Copy code**

<figure><img src="/media/1b57c8b4d5b57e28ad6c.webp" alt="" loading="lazy" decoding="async"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Use the connect code (in the Destination store)

1. Open the app in the Destination store and click **Stores**
2. Click **Connect store**
3. Paste the code into the **Connection code** field

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## ⚙️ Step 4: Choose your sync settings

### Matching & imports

* **Create & Update**: creates missing products in the Destination store and keeps existing products updated.
* **Update Only**: use this if products already exist in both stores and you only want to sync updates.
* **Create Only :** Syncs only new products created in the Source store after the connection is set up. Existing products in the Destination store are not changed.&#x20;

### Behavior on removal

Choose what happens when a product is deleted from the Source store. For example, **Unpublish** hides the product in the Destination store without deleting it permanently.

<figure><img src="/media/6403fba8625cb9541402.webp" alt="" loading="lazy" decoding="async"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Product sync

1. Turn on **Products sync**.
2. Choose a **Unique identifier** to match products between stores:
   * **Handle**: best when both stores already use the same product handles.
   * **SKU**: best when every variant has a unique SKU.
3. Choose which products to sync. For example, select **Only sync products that match the tags below** to sync only products tagged `wholesale`.
4. Select the **Product statuses** to sync.

<figure><img src="/media/cc0ef6e13eadcc1ccbcc.webp" alt="" loading="lazy" decoding="async"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Locations

Select the **Locations** you want to map between the two stores. This step is required for inventory sync.

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### Save

Click **Save**. The sync starts right away. The first sync may take some time, depending on how many products you sync.

## ✅ After the sync

Once connected, Tipo app will:

* Sync products from the Source store to the Destination store, based on your settings.
* Sync inventory, if you turn on the setting
* Keep your stores up to date automatically.

**Example:** You create a product named *New Shirt* in the Source store. Tipo Sync automatically creates *New Shirt* in the Destination store with the same handle.

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## ▶️ A Tutorial video

<iframe class="video-embed" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KEmewqVFB5Q" title="Video tutorial: Connect stores" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe class="video-embed" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EgiEjT17k0U" title="Video tutorial: Connect stores" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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**🙋 Still need support?**

If you still need help, please feel free to contact us at <hi@tipo.io>. We’ll be happy to assist you further.