Handling orders that cannot be edited by Shopify
Simple Bundles 2.0 uses Shopify's Cart Transform API to break down bundles at checkout. When this works as expected, only the individual component SKUs appear in the order, and the parent bundle is excluded. However, there are cases where the Cart Transform cannot fire, and our app will fall back to using order editing, which edits the order to add the bundle component. However, Shopify may also prevent certain orders from being edited after they are placed. This guide explains what happens in those cases and how to configure Simple Bundles to handle them correctly.
How cart transform works
When a customer purchases a bundle through Shopify's standard checkout, the Cart Transform API fires and breaks down the bundle into its individual component SKUs before the order is created. This means:
- The parent bundle product is removed from the order
- Only the individual component SKUs appear as line items
- Pricing is distributed proportionally across the components
This is the default and preferred method in Simple Bundles 2.0 as it provides the cleanest order experience for both merchants and fulfillment teams.
When the cart transform cannot run
The Cart Transform API only works for orders placed through Shopify's native checkout. It does not apply to orders from:
- Subscription apps (e.g. Loop Subscriptions, Appstle)
- Post-purchase upsell apps (e.g. AfterSell, ReConvert)
- External sales channels (e.g. Amazon, TikTok, Shopify Collective)
- Third-party apps that import or create orders from outside Shopify
When the Cart Transform cannot run, Simple Bundles automatically falls back to the order editing method. With this method, the bundle is broken down after the order is created by editing the order to add the individual component SKUs. The parent bundle product remains in the order alongside the components. You can find more details on how bundle contents are added to orders here: How are bundle contents added to Shopify orders?
What happens when an order cannot be edited
Due to various limitations set by Shopify, some orders cannot be edited after they are placed. This can happen for orders originating from certain third-party apps, external sales channels, or subscription platforms.
When Simple Bundles cannot edit the original order, it has two built-in options for handling the bundle contents:
- Creation of a new associated order
- Single-SKU inventory sync fallback
For a full list of reasons why orders may be uneditable, refer to: Why are line items not getting added to some of my orders?
Note: For orders that cannot be edited by Shopify, such as those originating from Facebook and other third-party apps, please ensure that refunds are processed on the original order rather than the duplicated one.
Creation of a new associated order if the Shopify order can't be edited
For merchants who installed on or after June 19, 2026
Associated orders are disabled by default for new installations starting June 19, 2026. If you need this feature (e.g., for orders that can't be edited by Shopify), you can enable it in App Settings > Advanced Settings > Cart Transform and Order Editing Fallbacks.
When you enable associated orders, Shopify will prompt you to approve customer data access, since associated orders include customer shipping details. This is a one-time approval.
Merchants who installed before June 19, 2026 are not affected. Your permissions and settings remain unchanged. Read more
Once enabled, Simple Bundles will create a new order with the same customer details. However, this order receipt and confirmation will not be sent to the customer.
Original order
If the original order is not editable by Simple Bundles, the original order stays intact, and no modifications are made. In our example, we will look at two bundles that were added to the order.
Simple Bundles will create a new associated order with a note pointing to the original bundle order number.
Associated bundle items order
When bundles are in uneditable orders, Simple Bundles will create a new associated bundle items order, which will have all the bundle contents along with the reference custom line items showing the bundle name, the same customer shipping details, as well as a note pointing to the original bundle order.
These orders can be fulfilled as any other order and sent to your third-party logistics or warehouse team to be packaged and shipped.
Single-SKU inventory sync fallback
If you prefer to have only one order (without an associated “A” order), you can switch your fallback method to Single-SKU.
With the Single-SKU setup:
- The bundle is not broken down into individual components in the Shopify order.
- Inventory is still adjusted correctly behind the scenes based on the bundle’s components.
- No associated “A” order is created.
If you still need bundle contents to appear on packing slips, you can display them using Shopify order metafields. Follow this guide for setup instructions: Single-SKU bundle: Show itemized bundle contents on Shopify packing slips
Original Order
Show itemized bundle in Shopify packing slip
If you have questions about which fallback method is best for your workflow, feel free to reach out to our support team!