---
title: >-
  inventoryActivate now preserves available quantity - Shopify developer
  changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/inventoryactivate-now-preserves-available-quantity
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/posts/inventoryactivate-now-preserves-available-quantity.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2026-04
  affectedApi:
    - displayName: Admin GraphQL API
      handle: admin-graphql
    - displayName: Admin REST API
      handle: admin-rest
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: Breaking API Change
    handle: breaking-api-change
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2026-01-19T14:14:47-05:00'
  postedAt: '2026-04-17T12:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-04-01T22:16:48-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-01-17T12:00:00-05:00'
---

April 17, 2026

# `inventoryActivate` now preserves `available` quantity

DateApril 17, 2026

Version[2026-04](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_version=2026-04)

Flags[Breaking API Change](https://shopify.dev/changelog?filter=breaking-api-change)

SurfacesAPI

Affected APIs[Admin GraphQL API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=admin-graphql)[Admin REST API](https://shopify.dev/changelog?api_type=admin-rest)

As of API version 2026-04, using the [`inventoryActivate`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/mutations/inventoryactivate#top) mutation without specifying an `available` or `onHand` argument will no longer default these values to zero. If an item was previously active at a location, any existing `active` and `onHand` quantities for the inactive [`InventoryLevel`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-graphql/latest/objects/InventoryLevel) will be retained.

### Why We Made This Change

Previously, `inventoryActivate` would reset existing inventory quantities to zero, preventing merchants from independently tracking inventory from activation status. This behavior erased quantity history upon activation. The update allows merchants to manage inventory and activation separately, preserving their quantity history.

### Impact on Your App

* **GraphQL**: In the `unstable` or `2026-04` and later releases, using the `inventoryActivate` mutation without an `available` or `onHand` argument will preserve the pre-activation quantities.
* **REST**: In the `unstable` or `2026-04` and later releases, `POST` requests to [`inventory_levels/connect.json`](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/admin-rest/latest/resources/inventorylevel#post-inventory-levels-connect) will retain the pre-activation quantities.

### What You Need to Do

* Review any business logic that assumes `inventoryActivate` resets inventory quantities to zero for specified inventory items and locations.