> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.memberply.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.memberply.com/creating-membership-benefits/exclusive-product-access.md).
# Exclusive product access
Give members exclusive access to certain products and product collections.
{% hint style="info" %}
Memberply uses two layers of protection. The theme component gives shoppers immediate feedback on product and collection pages. Shopify checkout protection validates the cart on Shopify's servers, including direct cart links, Buy Now, Shop Pay, and other accelerated checkouts. [Follow the theme setup instructions](/creating-membership-benefits/exclusive-product-access/restrict-non-members-from-accessing-exclusive-products.md).
{% endhint %}
At checkout, a restricted product is allowed only when the shopper is signed in, has an active Memberply membership, and belongs to a membership tier that permits the product. This also applies when a product is restricted through a collection or is shared by more than one eligible tier.
1. From the main menu, click **Benefits**.
2. Find the membership tier you want to add this benefit to and click **Edit Benefits**.
Current Memberply interface with sample data.
3. Find the **Exclusive Product Access** card and toggle the benefit to **Enabled**.
4. Click **Edit**.
Current Memberply interface with sample data.
5. Enter a name for your exclusive product access benefit, for example **Exclusive Product Access**.
6. Enter a description, for example **Get exclusive product access**.
7. Select the products and collections that members should have access to by searching for them by name.
8. If you want to remove a product or collection after it has been added, click the **×** beside its selected entry.
9. Click **Save**.
Current Memberply interface with sample data.
Saving synchronizes the selected products and collections with Shopify checkout protection. Memberply also reconciles this data when restrictions, benefit status, tier status, or collection contents change.
For an existing store, click **Sync checkout protection** on the Exclusive Product Access page. If the sync asks for updated permissions, reconnect Memberply, approve the Shopify permissions, and run the sync again.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Keep the theme component enabled. Checkout protection prevents an ineligible purchase, while the theme component provides the earlier and more helpful product-page experience.
{% endhint %}
## Use another app to control product purchases
The **Enforce exclusive product purchases** checkbox applies to the whole store, across all membership tiers. Turn it off if another app manages purchase access. Memberply removes its synchronized exclusive-product restrictions from Shopify and keeps your saved product and collection selections for a later opt-in. Ordinary saves and background synchronization respect this choice.
This setting does not change billing, membership tags, store credit, plan management, or another app's locks. It only controls Memberply's server-side exclusive-product purchase checks. Existing Memberply theme components still control their own storefront messaging and visibility.
The shared **Memberply checkout protection** rule also supports application approval, membership rejoin cooldowns, and membership payer links. Those features keep their existing settings. Disabling exclusive-product enforcement does not disable the shared rule.
If you disable the shared rule in Shopify, Memberply synchronization leaves it disabled. After Memberply observes that disabled rule, it remembers the choice even if the rule is later deleted. Use **Enable shared checkout protection** explicitly when you want those protections active again; this does not turn exclusive-product enforcement back on. If the rule is missing and no configured feature needs it, an ordinary sync does not create it.
After changing the checkbox, wait for the synchronization result. If synchronization fails, the preference may already be saved but Shopify cleanup is not confirmed. Retry **Sync checkout protection** before relying on the new access behavior. The page reports a disabled rule separately from a successful settings sync.
## Troubleshooting a valid member being blocked
An active membership must belong to one of the tiers that grants access to the product. A restriction left on a test tier can block members from other tiers. Check all tiers and selected collections, including old configurations. Products shared by multiple eligible tiers allow any of those tiers.
Imported and manually added members use the same Shopify membership-status and tier metafields as other members. The shopper must sign in to the matching Shopify customer account, and membership synchronization must finish. Tags used by another locking app do not override Memberply's product purchase checks.
## Update Shopify permissions
Older Memberply installations may need approval for checkout protection permissions. When you synchronize checkout protection or enable its validation rule, Memberply sends you to Shopify to approve any missing permissions. You can also open Memberply from **Shopify admin → Apps** to complete approval. You do not need to uninstall the app.
Until approval is complete, Memberply cannot synchronize checkout validation rules. Existing Shopify rules and your saved Memberply preferences are preserved. Background synchronization resumes after the updated permissions are granted.
