We have all done it: You browse a store on your phone while commuting, finding three or four items you love. You save them to your wishlist. Later that evening, you sit down at your desktop computer, ready to buy, but your wishlist is empty.

Why? Because you were a "Guest."

Cross-Device Shopping is becoming the norm. Customers browse on mobile and buy on desktop. If your wishlist doesn't travel with them, you lose the sale. This guide explains exactly what you need to use to bridge the gap between devices and ensure a shopping experience.

Quick Answer

What is the best tool for this? Hulk Advanced Wishlist.

How does it work? It offers a hybrid system. It allows guests to start a list via cookies (local), but provides a clear "Login to Sync" or "Email my List" feature that moves the data to the cloud, making it accessible on any device.

The Result: Customers can build a cart on their iPhone and check out on their MacBook without losing a single item.

The Core Issue

To fix this, you need to understand why it happens.

  • Guest Wishlists (Local Storage): When a user isn't logged in, apps save data in the browser's cookies. Cookies live on that specific device. They cannot jump from a phone to a laptop.

  • Synced Wishlists (Cloud Storage): To sync, the data must be stored in the cloud. To find that data in the cloud, the app needs an identifier, usually an Email Address or Customer Account.

The Challenge: How do you get a lazy guest to identify themselves so you can sync their list?

The "Guest-to-Cloud" Workflow

You need a strategy that creates a bridge. Here is how the two methods compare:

Feature

Basic Guest Wishlist

Cloud-Synced Wishlist

Storage Location

Browser Cookies (Device only)

App Server (Anywhere)

Persists after clearing cache?

No

Yes

Cross-Device Access

Impossible

Seamless

Requirement

None (Zero friction)

Email or Login (Medium friction)


How to Set Up Cross-Device Syncing

Step 1 →  Install the Right App

You need an app that handles both Guest and Cloud logic. Hulk Advanced Wishlist is designed for this. It keeps the list in the browser initially but constantly offers the "upgrade" to a cloud list.

Step 2 →  Enable the "Prompt to Login"

In the Hulk app settings, look for the Guest Wishlist configuration.

  • The Trick: Enable the option that says "Prompt guest to login to save wishlist permanently."

  • UX Tip: Don't force it immediately. Let them add items first. Show the prompt as a banner inside the wishlist page: "Login to see these items on your computer."

Step 3 → Activate "Email My List"

This is the cheat code for users who hate passwords.

  • Enable the Share via Email feature.

  • If a customer on mobile sends the list to their own email, they can open that link on their desktop. The app recognizes the unique link and restores the wishlist on the new device instantly.

Step 4 →  Leverage Social Login

Friction kills syncing. If you want users to log in so their list syncs, make it one click. Use Shopify's Multipass or a Social Login integration (Google/Facebook) so they can claim their wishlist in seconds.

Examples and Use Cases

Here is how syncing solves real-world shopping problems:

Scenario

The Problem

The Sync Solution

The Commuter

Browses on the bus (Mobile). Ready to pay at home (Desktop). finds an empty list.

Social Login. User clicks "Login with Google" on mobile wishlist. Data saves to cloud. User logs in on Desktop; items appear instantly.

The Gift Registry

Couple wants to build a baby registry using two different phones.

Shared Account. They use a single email login. Hulk Advanced Wishlist merges items added from Phone A and Phone B into one master list.

The "Work" Computer

User shops at work but can't checkout. Wants to finish at home.

Email-a-Friend. User clicks "Share List" and emails it to themselves. Opens the link at home and completes the purchase.


Recommended Setup / Tools

To achieve the perfect "Cross-Device" stack:

  • Wishlist Engine: Hulk Advanced Wishlist – For the backend cloud storage and merging logic.

  • Login Tool: Oxi Social Login (or similar) – To allow 1-click account creation, which encourages users to sync.

  • Email: Klaviyo – To send the "Here is your saved list" email that bridges the device gap.

Best Practices

  • The "Nudge" Banner: Place a small text at the top of the wishlist drawer: "Viewing as Guest. Items will not be saved on other devices unless you login." This manages expectations.

  • Merge, Don't Overwrite: Ensure your app settings are configured to Merge data. If a user has 2 items on Desktop and 3 on Mobile, logging in should result in a wishlist of 5 items, not deleting one set.

  • Persistent Login: Set your Shopify store settings to keep customers logged in for as long as possible (e.g., 90 days) to reduce the need for constant re-authentication.

Summary

Syncing wishlists across devices isn't magic; it's about moving data from a "Cookie" to a "Customer ID."

Your goal is to make that transition effortless. By using Hulk Advanced Wishlist and enabling smart prompts like "Email my List" or "Login to Sync," you ensure that the shopping journey doesn't break just because the customer put their phone in their pocket.

FAQs

Can a wishlist sync without a login?

Technically, no. Browsers do not share data with each other for security reasons. A user must provide a common identifier (like an email or login) to bridge the two devices.

What happens if a user forgets to sync?

If they don't login or share the list, the items remain stuck on the original device. This is why the "Email my List" feature is a vital backup option.

Does Hulk Advanced Wishlist handle "Merging"?

Yes. If a customer has items in their cart/wishlist as a guest, and then logs in, the app is smart enough to combine the guest items with their existing account items so nothing is lost.

Is cloud storage secure?

Yes. Customer data is stored securely on the app's servers and is associated with their unique customer ID, protected by Shopify's authentication protocols.