---
title: The _ab cookie will no longer be set - 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/the-ab-cookie-will-no-longer-be-set'
  md: 'https://shopify.dev/changelog/the-ab-cookie-will-no-longer-be-set.md'
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: ''
  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: Themes
    handle: dev_themes
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: Deprecation Announcement
    handle: deprecation
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2025-07-11T05:03:32-04:00'
  postedAt: '2025-07-12T12:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2025-07-16T12:54:49-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2025-07-12T12:00:00-04:00'
---

July 12, 2025

Tags:

* Themes

# The `_ab` cookie will no longer be set

### What's changing?

Starting on August 18th, 2025, Shopify will no longer set the `_ab` cookie on merchant storefronts or checkout. This cookie was used to enable/disable the preview bar.

You can hide the preview bar while previewing a theme by adding the `pb=0` parameter to the URL.