Manage Oberlo

How to cancel your oberlo subscription in the UAE: your complete guide to dropshipping alternatives

Understanding oberlo and why you might want to cancel

Oberlo was a dropshipping automation app built into Shopify that allowed merchants to import products directly from suppliers like AliExpress, sync inventory automatically, and fulfill orders without handling stock. The app streamlined the entire dropshipping workflow for thousands of online sellers across the UAE and beyond.

However, Oberlo officially shut down on June 15, 2022. If you still have the app installed in your Shopify store or are exploring whether to move your dropshipping operation elsewhere, you need to understand your cancellation options and rights as a UAE consumer. At Stopee, we help you navigate subscription cancellations with clarity and confidence, and this guide covers every step you should take.

What happened to oberlo

Shopify officially discontinued Oberlo, and all active subscriptions were automatically cancelled on the shutdown date. If you were a paid subscriber, your recurring charges stopped immediately. Your imported product listings remained in your Shopify store, but automation features no longer functioned. Stopee recommends acting quickly if you still rely on dropshipping to understand your migration options.

Why cancellation matters now

Even though Oberlo no longer operates, you may still see the app listed in your Shopify admin or have billing history attached to your account. Confirming that the app is fully removed and understanding your refund eligibility ensures you do not pay for redundant services. You also need a clear path forward to a replacement dropshipping tool that matches your business needs.

Your consumer rights in the united arab emirates

The UAE offers robust consumer protection laws that apply to all online purchases and subscriptions, including digital services like dropshipping apps.

Key protections under UAE law

The UAE Consumer Protection Law grants you specific rights when you cancel services. You have the right to a 14-day withdrawal period from the date of purchase or subscription commencement on many online services. If you discover that a service does not meet the advertised specification or stops operating (as Oberlo did), you have grounds to request a refund or credit for unused service days.

Additionally, if you were charged after the shutdown date or if your cancellation was deliberately hidden or made difficult, you can escalate your complaint to the Federal Authority for Consumer Protection (FACP). Stopee always encourages you to document all billing records, cancellation requests, and communications with the service provider. This documentation is your strongest lever if you need to file a formal dispute.

What to keep for your records

• Copies of all invoices and billing statements from Shopify or Oberlo.
• Screenshots of the app in your Shopify admin (showing installation dates and billing status).
• Email confirmations of any cancellation requests you submit.
• Screenshots of the app removal process from your Shopify account.
• Proof of refund requests and any credits issued to your account.

How to cancel your oberlo subscription through shopify

The easiest and fastest way to ensure Oberlo is fully cancelled is to remove the app directly from your Shopify admin. This is the preferred method and takes just a few minutes.

Step-by-step cancellation in your shopify admin

1. Log into your Shopify admin dashboard with your store credentials.
2. Navigate to the left sidebar menu and select Apps (or Apps and sales channels on newer Shopify versions).
3. Search for or scroll to find Oberlo in your installed apps list.
4. Click on the Oberlo app to open its details page.
5. Look for a button labeled Delete, Remove, or Uninstall (the exact label varies by Shopify version).
   • Pro tip: If you see a dropdown menu next to the app name, click it first to reveal removal options.
6. Click the removal button and confirm when Shopify asks you to verify the action.
7. Shopify may prompt you to transfer inventory location data if Oberlo stored product information. Select Keep this location if you want to preserve your product listings in Shopify for future use.
   • Warning: If you choose Delete location, Shopify will remove all product data tied to Oberlo. Only do this if you no longer need those products in your store.
8. Wait for the removal to complete. You should receive a confirmation message when the app is fully uninstalled.

Confirming the app is removed

After you remove Oberlo, return to your Apps list and search for it again. The app should no longer appear in your installed apps. If it still shows, try refreshing your browser or clearing your cache, then check again. At Stopee, we recommend taking a screenshot of your clean Apps list as proof that the cancellation was successful.

Cancelling both oberlo and your entire shopify store

If you want to close your Shopify store entirely (not just remove one app), you can do so through your store settings. This action will cancel all apps, including any remnants of Oberlo, and stop all billing.

How to close your shopify store

1. Log into your Shopify admin and click Settings (bottom left of the sidebar).
2. Select Plan and permissions (or Store settings, depending on your Shopify version).
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for an option labeled Close store or Deactivate store.
4. Click that option and read the warning message carefully.
   • Warning: Closing your store is permanent. Shopify will remove all products, orders, customer data, and apps. You cannot undo this action once confirmed.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm closure. Shopify may ask you why you are closing the store (this feedback helps them improve); you can skip this step if you prefer.
6. Your store will be deactivated immediately, and all recurring charges will stop.

Timing your closure request

If you close your store mid-billing cycle, Shopify typically does not issue prorated refunds for partial months. To maximize your refund eligibility, request closure on the first day of your next billing cycle (when the charge would renew). This way, you stop charges before they occur rather than asking for a refund after the fact.

What happens after you cancel oberlo

Cancelling Oberlo triggers immediate changes to your Shopify store. Understanding what to expect helps you plan your next steps without disruption to your business.

Immediate effects on your store

All Oberlo automation stops instantly. Auto-syncing of inventory from AliExpress halts, order fulfillment automation ceases, and real-time product price updates stop. Your imported product listings remain visible in your Shopify store, but they become static. This means if a supplier updates a price or removes an item, your Shopify store won't reflect those changes automatically.

Customers can still purchase these products, but you must now manually track orders, contact suppliers, and arrange fulfillment yourself or switch to an alternative dropshipping tool.

Accessing your data after cancellation

Any data stored exclusively within the Oberlo app became inaccessible after June 15, 2022. However, product listings imported into Shopify remain as standard products in your store. You can export your entire product catalog from Shopify in CSV format and use it in a replacement app like Alibot, Spocket, Printful, or Modalyst.

To export your product data, go to Products in your Shopify admin, select Export, and choose your desired file format. Stopee advises doing this as soon as possible so you have a backup of all your dropshipping data.

Will you get a refund after cancelling oberlo

Refund eligibility depends on your billing method and the date you cancel. Since Oberlo shut down in 2022, most direct refunds have already been processed. However, if you only recently removed the app or have outstanding billing disputes, you may still have recourse.

Refunds for unused subscription time

If you paid for a monthly Oberlo subscription and cancelled before the end of your billing cycle, you were entitled to a refund for the unused days. Oberlo issued these refunds to the original payment method if you were billed directly by Oberlo. If you were billed through the Shopify App Store, refunds appeared as Shopify App Store credits rather than direct card refunds. You could then use these credits to purchase other Shopify apps or services.

If you have not received your refund

If you paid for Oberlo and removed it but never received a refund or credit, contact Shopify directly. Shopify handles all billing for apps sold through its marketplace.

• Log into your Shopify admin and click Help (bottom right).
• Search for Oberlo refund or app billing.
• Select Contact Support and describe your situation.
• Provide your store name, the dates you were charged, and the amount of the charge.
• Ask Shopify to review your billing history and issue a refund or credit to your account.

Pro tip: If Shopify declines your refund request, escalate the complaint to the Federal Authority for Consumer Protection (FACP) in your emirate. Mention the shutdown of Oberlo and your right to a refund under UAE consumer protection law. Stopee has seen merchants successfully recover credits this way.

Oberlo pricing and plans (converted to AED)

Understanding Oberlo's past pricing structure helps you evaluate replacement apps and ensures you know what you were paying for. All prices below are approximate conversions to UAE dirhams.

Oberlo subscription plans at a glance

Pricing notes for UAE customers

Oberlo charged in USD, and these AED figures are approximate conversions using a rate of approximately 3.67 AED per 1 USD. Actual charges depended on your payment method and your bank's exchange rate at the time of billing. If you were charged in a different currency or saw variance in the amount, this exchange rate difference likely explains it.

Common mistakes when cancelling oberlo and how to avoid them

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but many sellers make mistakes that complicate the process or leave them paying for unused service. Learning from these pitfalls protects your account and your wallet.

Mistake 1: assuming the app is cancelled when you just stop using it

Many merchants remove Oberlo from their Shopify dashboard but never actually delete the app. The app icon vanishes from view, but the billing connection persists in the background, and charges may continue. Stopee recommends always clicking the actual Delete or Remove button to fully uninstall the app. Simply hiding it or deactivating it is not the same as cancellation.

Mistake 2: not confirming the app is gone from your installed apps list

After you remove Oberlo, always return to your Apps section and verify it no longer appears. A glitch or incomplete removal could leave the app partially installed. Taking a screenshot of your clean apps list serves as proof of cancellation if you need to dispute a charge later.

Mistake 3: ignoring billing statements after removal

Check your Shopify billing history for 30 days after you remove Oberlo to confirm no further charges appear. If a charge appears after removal, contact Shopify immediately with proof of the deletion date. The longer you wait to dispute a charge, the harder it becomes to recover the money.

Mistake 4: deleting your inventory location without backing up your product data

If Shopify prompts you to transfer or delete your inventory location during app removal, selecting Delete location will erase all products tied to Oberlo. If those products represent your entire store inventory, you lose them permanently. Always export your product catalog to CSV format before removing the app, so you have a backup to restore elsewhere.

Mistake 5: closing your store impulsively without understanding the consequences

Closing your entire Shopify store is irreversible and removes all data within 90 days. If you only want to stop dropshipping and keep your store active for other purposes, simply remove the Oberlo app instead. Only close your store if you are certain you no longer want any online presence.

Choosing a replacement dropshipping app after oberlo

After you cancel Oberlo, you need a new tool to automate dropshipping if you want to continue this business model. Several reputable alternatives operate in the UAE market and integrate directly with Shopify.

Popular oberlo alternatives available in the UAE

Pro tip: Most alternatives offer a free starter plan with limited product imports. Test each app with 50 to 100 products before committing to a paid plan. This helps you understand the workflow and ensure the tool fits your business model.

Cancellation checklist for oberlo in the UAE

Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step and avoid leaving loose ends. At Stopee, we help you stay organized through the entire process.

• Log into your Shopify admin and navigate to Apps.
• Locate Oberlo and click the Remove or Delete button.
• Confirm the inventory location action (keep or delete).
• Export your product catalog to CSV format as a backup.
• Verify Oberlo no longer appears in your installed apps list (refresh and check again if needed).
• Wait 48 hours and check your Shopify billing history for any charges.
• Contact Shopify support if a charge appears after the removal date.
• Research and install a replacement dropshipping app if you want to continue automating orders.
• Document the cancellation date and any refunds issued to your account.
• Save screenshots of your clean apps list and billing statements showing no Oberlo charges.

Final summary: taking control of your oberlo cancellation

Oberlo no longer operates, but you may still have the app installed in your Shopify store or billing questions to resolve. Cancelling is straightforward: remove the app from your Shopify admin by clicking Delete, confirm the action, and verify it no longer appears in your installed apps list. This takes fewer than five minutes and stops any remaining charges immediately.

Under UAE consumer protection law, you have the right to a refund for unused subscription days and the right to escalate billing disputes to the Federal Authority for Consumer Protection if Shopify refuses to help. Keep all billing records, screenshots of the cancellation process, and documentation of any refund requests. These materials are your leverage if you need to file a formal complaint.

Once you have cancelled Oberlo, export your product data and choose a replacement app that matches your dropshipping goals. Alibot, Spocket, Printful, and Modalyst all offer solid free trials so you can test them before committing.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, understand their refund rights, and take back control of their recurring charges. Whether you are closing a Shopify store, switching to a new dropshipping tool, or simply tidying up your installed apps, Stopee is your trusted guide through every cancellation step. Visit Stopee.com to access cancellation guides for hundreds of services and manage all your subscriptions in one place.