Thunder Page Speed Optimizer cannot force Shopify to show Apple Pay, PayPal, or Google Pay instead of Shop Pay. It can improve the storefront path before payment by reducing script weight, deferring noncritical code, and speeding up product and cart interactions. Install Thunder after payment eligibility is correct, then use this checklist to separate expected wallet behavior from real payment bugs.
Quick Fix with Thunder
Accelerated checkout should feel instant. If wallet buttons hesitate, shift layout, or compete with app scripts, customers read it as payment uncertainty even when Shopify's gateway setup is fine.
Thunder's features optimize the product and cart experience around checkout buttons. For a wider cleanup, follow the Shopify speed optimization guide and compare top speed optimization apps.
Install ThunderUnderstand How Shopify Chooses Wallet Buttons
Shopify's accelerated checkout documentation describes Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and similar wallets as faster checkout paths that use saved customer details. Shopify does not always show every wallet in the same place. It can show one branded dynamic button on a product page, then let the customer choose another route after entering checkout.
That means "only Shop Pay is showing" can be expected behavior on a specific device, especially if Shop Pay is enabled and the customer has used it before. Test as a logged-out visitor, a new customer, a returning Shop Pay customer, on Safari, Chrome, iPhone, Android, and desktop.
Wallet visibility test:
Safari on iPhone: Apple Pay eligibility
Chrome on Android: Google Pay eligibility
Desktop Chrome: Shop Pay / PayPal behavior
Incognito: no saved wallet state
Standard checkout button: full payment list after shippingIf dynamic buttons are missing entirely, use the dynamic checkout buttons not showing guide. If the Buy Now button is broken, read Shopify Buy Now button fixes.
Verify Payment Gateway and Wallet Eligibility
Open Settings, Payments and confirm every method is active, verified, and available for the market being tested. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, local methods, manual methods, and third-party payment providers can all have restrictions by country, currency, card type, product type, and provider account status.
Apple Pay is especially environment-sensitive. Shopify's Apple Pay documentation lists requirements, and subscription products may need additional compatibility from the subscription app. If the customer's device or browser cannot use a wallet, that wallet will not appear no matter what your theme does.
If ordinary payment methods disappear after shipping, troubleshoot with payment method not showing at checkout. If shipping prevents the payment step, use shipping rates not showing at checkout.
Make Standard Checkout Obvious
The biggest theme-side problem is not that Shop Pay exists. It is that the ordinary add-to-cart or checkout path becomes visually weaker than the accelerated button. If the standard checkout button is hidden below the fold, styled like secondary text, or blocked by a sticky cart app, shoppers may think Shop Pay is mandatory.
Check product forms, cart drawers, sticky checkout bars, and any app that replaces the checkout button. Keep wallet buttons helpful, but keep the regular cart/checkout path visible and tappable.
button[name="checkout"],
cart-drawer .cart__checkout-button {
min-height: 48px;
width: 100%;
font-weight: 700;
}
.shopify-payment-button {
margin-top: 12px;
}If cart state is unstable, fix cart not updating until refresh before changing wallet settings. If apps inject duplicate buttons, use app embed cleanup.
Remove App Conflicts Around Accelerated Checkout
Payment messaging apps, sticky add-to-cart apps, subscriptions, cart upsells, warranty offers, bundles, and drawer replacements can change how checkout buttons render. They may hide wallet containers, duplicate buttons, delay product form updates, or pass the wrong variant into accelerated checkout.
Test in a duplicate theme with nonessential product and cart apps disabled. Then re-enable one app at a time. Watch for variant price mismatch, wrong quantity, button flicker, and delayed click handling. Those symptoms often point to JavaScript that updates the product form after Shopify's payment button has already rendered.
For performance cleanup, combine Shopify JavaScript optimization, INP fixes, and unused CSS and JavaScript removal.
Manual Fix vs Thunder Fix
| Problem | Manual fix | Thunder fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify prioritizes Shop Pay | Test standard checkout and wallet behavior across devices. | Does not control Shopify wallet selection. |
| Gateway unavailable | Verify provider activation, country, currency, and product eligibility. | Not a payment gateway tool. |
| Theme hides standard checkout | Make normal cart and checkout buttons visible and tappable. | Improves storefront responsiveness around those buttons. |
| App scripts delay wallet render | Disable conflicting app embeds and clean duplicate code. | Automates broad script deferral and speed cleanup. |
If this is part of a wider conversion project, review Thunder pricing or hire a Shopify speed expert.
FAQ
Why is only Shop Pay showing at Shopify checkout?
Shop Pay can appear first when it is enabled and Shopify detects a supported customer, browser, device, or saved wallet path. Other payment methods may still be available through standard checkout or another payment option.
Can I choose which accelerated checkout button Shopify shows?
Generally, Shopify controls which branded wallet button appears based on the customer's environment and available methods. Test different devices and browsers before assuming a theme bug.
Why are Apple Pay, PayPal, or Google Pay not showing?
Each wallet has its own eligibility requirements. The payment method, country, currency, browser, card type, product type, and subscription app compatibility can all affect visibility.
Should I disable Shop Pay if it is the only visible option?
Not automatically. First test the standard checkout path, confirm other gateways are active, and check whether customers can choose another payment method after entering checkout.
Can Thunder control Shop Pay or wallet display?
Thunder cannot choose which wallet Shopify displays, but it can reduce storefront script delay around product pages, cart drawers, and checkout buttons so the payment path feels faster.
Keep wallet checkout fast without hiding other paths.
Fix the Shopify Shop Pay only showing checkout confusion, then use Thunder to make product and cart interactions faster.