Managing draft orders on mobile has become significantly easier with Shopify’s recent updates. The Draft Orders section in the Shopify App was updated in version 9.166 to better align with the web experience and unlock features previously unavailable on mobile. These improvements allow merchants to create customized orders, process special requests, and handle pre-orders directly from their smartphones, eliminating the need to be at a computer.
For business owners who are constantly on the move, this update represents a major improvement in workflow efficiency. Now you can navigate to the Orders section in the mobile app, tap the ‘+’ symbol, and create a new draft order wherever you are. The updated interface mimics the web version, making the transition between desktop and mobile seamless for experienced Shopify users.
Overview of Updated App Features
Shopify’s mobile app version 9.166 brings significant improvements to draft order management, making it easier for merchants to handle orders on the go. The update aligns mobile functionality with the web version while introducing new features specifically optimized for smartphone users.
Enhanced Draft Order Functionality
The updated Shopify mobile app now offers comprehensive draft order capabilities previously only available on desktop. Merchants can now apply discounts directly within the app, providing more flexibility when creating custom orders for customers.
The mobile app supports full customer information management, allowing users to add new customers or select existing ones while creating draft orders. Product selection has been improved with better search functionality and variant options.
Payment processing options are now expanded, enabling merchants to:
- Send invoices directly to customers
- Collect payments on the spot
- Set payment terms for B2B transactions
Draft order customization is more robust, supporting special instructions, shipping address changes, and tax adjustments—all from a smartphone or tablet. This makes handling complex order scenarios much more manageable when away from a computer.
Streamlined Navigation and User Interface
The mobile draft orders interface has been completely redesigned to align with the web experience while optimizing for touch interactions. Large, easily tappable elements reduce input errors common on smaller screens.
The order creation flow follows a logical progression with clear section headers and progress indicators. This makes it easier to track completion status when creating orders in busy environments.
Key information is now presented with improved visual hierarchy:
- Order totals are prominently displayed
- Product details use expandable sections
- Customer information is clearly organized
Navigation between different aspects of draft orders has been simplified with a tab-based interface. Users can quickly switch between products, customer details, and payment options without losing progress.
Search functionality has been enhanced throughout the interface, making it faster to locate specific products or customers when building orders with numerous items.
Creating and Managing Draft Orders
Draft orders in Shopify provide a flexible way to manage special customer requests and create orders that need customization. With Shopify’s mobile app, merchants can now handle these tasks on the go with an intuitive interface.
Initiating a New Draft Order
To begin a draft order on the Shopify mobile app, merchants need to first log into their account. Once logged in, navigate to the Orders section and look for the “Create order” option which initiates a new draft. This process is equally simple on the Shopify mobile app as it is on desktop.
The interface will prompt for customer information, which can be entered manually or selected from existing customers. For new customers, the app allows quick addition of contact details that will be saved for future orders.
Merchants can also specify shipping addresses and delivery preferences at this stage, setting the foundation for a complete order.
Adding Products and Customizing Orders
After initiating a draft order, merchants can add products by searching the store inventory or browsing categories. The mobile app displays product images, variants, and stock status to help make accurate selections.
Each product can be customized with:
- Quantity adjustments: Increase or decrease amounts as needed
- Variant selections: Choose size, color, or other options
- Special instructions: Add notes for specific customer requests
- Custom line items: Create items that aren’t in the regular catalog
Draft orders allow for extensive customization including products, customer details, and even special pricing arrangements that wouldn’t be possible through standard checkout flows.
The mobile interface makes scrolling through options intuitive, with clear visual indicators for selections and modifications.
Applying Discounts and Taxes
Shopify’s mobile app enables merchants to apply various discounts directly to draft orders. These can include percentage discounts, fixed amounts, or free shipping options customized to the specific customer’s needs.
Discount options available include:
| Discount Type | Application | Example |
| Percentage | Entire order or specific items | 15% off entire purchase |
| Fixed Amount | Dollar/Euro value reduction | $10 off order total |
| Shipping | Reduced or free shipping | Free standard shipping |
Taxes can be automatically calculated based on store settings, or manually adjusted if needed for special circumstances. The draft order system automatically updates totals in real-time as adjustments are made.
Merchants can review the final pricing including all discounts and taxes before sending an invoice or completing the payment process directly through the mobile app.
Efficient Order Processing and Checkout
Shopify’s mobile app streamlines the draft order process with intuitive tools that make capturing and finalizing orders on-the-go more efficient. The updates focus on providing merchants with flexible payment options and simplified checkout flows that work seamlessly from mobile devices.
Sending Invoices and Payment Requests
The updated Shopify mobile app allows merchants to send professional invoices directly from their smartphones. Merchants can create detailed invoices that include custom line items, discounts, and shipping costs while away from their desks.
Invoice customization features enable businesses to add personalized notes, set payment terms, and include tax details—all from the mobile interface. The app automatically calculates totals and taxes based on the store’s settings.
For time-sensitive orders, merchants can set expiration dates on payment requests to create urgency. This feature is particularly valuable for managing unique customer requests or limited-time offers.
Tracking capabilities allow merchants to see when customers view invoices and receive instant notifications when payments are made.
Finalizing Orders Through Mobile Checkout
The mobile checkout process has been optimized to streamline order management directly from smartphones. Merchants can collect payments in multiple ways including credit cards, store credits, or partial payments—all within the mobile interface.
For phone orders, the app now includes a custom interface specifically designed to improve efficiency when customers call in. This includes quick product search, customer information auto-fill, and rapid checkout options.
Draft orders can be instantly converted to completed orders once payment is received. The app automatically updates inventory and triggers fulfillment processes.
For special circumstances, merchants can mark orders as “paid” manually, apply custom discounts, or adjust shipping methods—flexibility that previously required desktop access. These personalized ordering capabilities help merchants provide exceptional customer service regardless of location.
Monitoring and Reporting
Effective monitoring of draft orders enables merchants to maintain control over their sales pipeline and analyze performance metrics. Shopify’s mobile app provides comprehensive tools for tracking order status and generating actionable insights.
Tracking Draft Order Status
The updated Shopify mobile app allows merchants to monitor draft order statuses in real-time. Users can quickly view pending draft orders through the dedicated Draft Orders section, which now aligns more closely with the web version.
The app displays critical status indicators including:
- Creation date – when the draft was initially created
- Last modified date – tracking recent changes
- Current status – pending, sent to customer, or archived
- Payment status – paid, partially paid, or unpaid
Merchants can filter draft orders based on these statuses, making it easier to prioritize follow-ups. The mobile interface enables quick status updates without needing to access a computer, perfect for merchants on the go.
Analyzing Sales and Performance Metrics
Shopify’s mobile app provides valuable analytics tools to evaluate draft order performance. Merchants can track conversion rates from draft to completed orders, identifying potential bottlenecks in the sales process.
Key performance metrics available include:
Draft Order Analytics:
- Conversion rate percentages
- Average time to conversion
- Abandoned draft value
- Most frequent draft order products
These insights help merchants understand customer purchasing patterns and optimize their sales approach. The app also allows for tracking inventory movements related to draft orders, ensuring proper stock management.
Customizable reporting periods (daily, weekly, monthly) give merchants flexibility in analyzing trends. Data can be exported directly from the mobile app to share with team members or for further analysis in other systems.
Key Points:
- Enhanced Draft Order Functionality: The updated app allows for comprehensive draft order management, including applying discounts, managing customer information, and processing payments—all from a mobile device.
- Streamlined User Interface: The mobile interface has been redesigned for intuitive navigation, featuring large tappable elements and a logical flow that mirrors the web version, ensuring a seamless transition between devices.
- Efficient Order Processing: Merchants can send invoices, collect payments, and finalize orders directly through the mobile app, streamlining the checkout process and improving customer service responsiveness.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Reporting: The app provides tools to track draft order statuses and analyze sales performance, enabling merchants to make informed decisions and optimize their sales strategies.
In short, the updates in Shopify’s mobile app version 9.166 empower merchants to manage draft orders with unprecedented ease and flexibility. By bringing mobile functionality in line with the web experience, Shopify enables business owners to handle custom orders, special requests, and pre-orders efficiently, regardless of their location. This enhancement not only streamlines operations but also contributes to improved customer satisfaction and increased sales opportunities.
