---
title: >-
  PUBLIC_READ Access Setting for App Owned Metafields - Shopify developer
  changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
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source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/public_read-access-setting-for-app-owned-metafields
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/public_read-access-setting-for-app-owned-metafields.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: 2023-07
  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: API
    handle: api
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: Update
    handle: update
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2023-04-14T10:30:50-04:00'
  postedAt: '2023-07-01T00:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2024-12-13T17:24:37-05:00'
  effectiveAt: '2023-07-01T00:00:00-04:00'
---

July 1, 2023

Tags:

* API
* 2023-07

# PUBLIC\_READ Access Setting for App Owned Metafields

As of the 2023-07 Admin API release, you can now apply a `PUBLIC_READ` access setting to your metafield definitions. If your metafield definition is `PUBLIC_READ`, this means:

* The merchant can read the metafields on the definition.
* All installed applications with proper access scopes can read the metafields on the definition.
* Only the owner of the definition can write metafields.

This new setting builds upon the `PRIVATE`, `MERCHANT_READ`, and `MERCHANT_READ_WRITE` access settings [released in January 2023](https://shopify.dev/changelog/access-controls-for-app-metafields).

Note that the `access` field can only be set when the definition is in your own [reserved namespace](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/custom-data/ownership#create-a-metafield-definition-under-a-reserved-namespace).

Learn more about [access controls](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/custom-data/ownership).