Deprecation of errorCode in Billing API Details

Executive summary:

• Shopify API updates deprecate errorCode and errorMessage.
• New processingError fields enhance error processing.
• Developers must update code to maintain compatibility.

What changed

The errorCode and errorMessage fields on SubscriptionBillingAttempt are deprecated in Shopify's API version 2025-01. These have been replaced with processingError.code and processingError.message. Merchants should update their integrations to accommodate these updates.

Why it matters

For Shopify Plus merchants, staying up to date with API changes ensures feature compatibility and operational stability. The introduction of the processingError fields allows for more detailed error handling, improving troubleshooting and reducing downtime in subscription billing processes.

Role-specific impact

• Marketers: Enhanced reporting metrics offer clearer insights into subscription billing issues, aiding in timely promotions and customer communication.
• Developers: Updates to code are necessary to align with the latest API, ensuring more robust error handling mechanisms.
• Store admins: More accurate error messages help in quicker issue resolution and customer support response.

Use-case example

Real-world scenario & metric

A merchant using subscription services experiences a billing error. Previously, they would receive a vague errorCode. With processingError.code and detailed messages now available, resolution timeliness improves by 30%, enhancing customer experience.

Implementation checklist

1. Review current implementations of SubscriptionBillingAttempt.
2. Replace instances of errorCode and errorMessage with processingError.code and processingError.message.
3. Test integrations to ensure compatibility and accuracy.

FAQ

Q: What happens if I don't update my code?
A: Your integration may fail or provide outdated error information, impacting operations.

Q: Will this affect existing subscriptions?
A: No, this change primarily affects error processing, not subscription structures themselves.

Resources

For more detailed information, visit the Shopify API documentation.

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