# General steps to 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 

Before connecting, make sure Tipo Sync is installed on **both stores**.

Upon first accessing the app, you’ll be prompted to designate the store as either a Source or Destination. Choose the appropriate type for each store. For more information on store types, refer to [this guide](https://tipo.io/index.php/kb/general-steps-to-connect-stores/).

* Install the app on store 1 > select Source store type
* Install the app on store 2 > select Destination store type

<figure><img src="/files/sNVdAC9xyXL5f5hhRrZR" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/817sq1aGxTuyU2U2os6D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 🛠️ **Step 2: Configure app settings**

After the app is installed in 2 stores,  check the app **Settings** in the app in both store and configure it to make sure it works as expected.

Source store:&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/eOe7TLGzgf7oTovVSGMW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Destination store&#x20;

Decide the product data you want to sync in app **Settings** in Destination store

<figure><img src="/files/IIj2ZBpMJ2uSKcIEfXsh" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 🛠️ Step 3: Connect a Destination store to a Source store&#x20;

**Note**: Connections are initiated from the Destination store.

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

The **Source Store** is the store that sends products, inventory, collections, or other data.

1. Open the app in Source store > click **Stores**
2. Click **Get connect code** button&#x20;
3. Copy the connect code on the popup

<figure><img src="/files/hbtMdeayYXJMstg3Lz8Q" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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

The **Destination Store** is the store that receives synced data from the Source store.

1. Go to the **Destination** store > open the app&#x20;
2. Click **Stores** >  click **Connect** **Store** button

<figure><img src="/files/3yIa5q39SYJUBM9SqrXl" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Paste the connection code from the Source store into the **Connection code** field

<figure><img src="/files/gPbxGZR4Pah3rnaV9xeP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Configure sync setting details

After connecting the stores, choose how the synchronization should work.

* **Matching & Imports**

> Choose **Create & Update** if you want the Destination store to automatically create missing products and keep existing products updated.
>
> Choose **Update Only** if products already exist in both stores and you only want to sync updates.

* **Behavior on Removal**

> Example:\
> If a product is deleted from the Source store, selecting **Unpublish** will hide the product from the Destination store without permanently deleting it.

<figure><img src="/files/rJNp6rizP7jZU9bdTCzO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Enable product sync option

* &#x20;Turn on the **Products sync** option
* Choose a **Unique Identifier t**o match products between stores

> Example:\
> If both stores already have the same product handles, choose **Handle** for the most accurate matching.\
> Choose **SKU** if your products use unique SKUs across all variants.

* Choose Which Products to sync

> Example:\
> Select **Only sync products that match the tags below** if you only want to sync products tagged `wholesale`.

* Select **Product Statuses** to sync

<figure><img src="/files/4Buprz5luX9k4Yp8P5HH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Select Locations you want to map between stores (required)

   <figure><img src="/files/YA0sb29r5bHCit8Y09ql" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6. Click **Save.**

&#x20;The sync will be run immediately. The first sync may take some time depending on how many products you sync.

***

### 🔄 After the sync

Once connected, Tipo Sync can:

* import/sync products from Source to Destination (based on your selection)
* sync inventory (if you mapped locations and enabled inventory sync)
* keep updates running based on your connection settings

For example:

Product New Shirt is created in source store, the app will automatically creates the product New Shirt product on destination store  (same product handle).

***

### ▶️ A Tutorial video

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/MqcVsaFUj7o?si=zYNJuZIxxd3uRm0o>" %}

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/EgiEjT17k0U>" %}

***

**🙋 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.


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