Turning off, pausing or uninstalling

Taking search out of the store for an hour, for a few days or for good, without losing what is configured.

There are three ways for search to stop showing up in the store, and the difference between them is what gets left behind. Choose by asking "when do I want this back?".

For a few hours: the debug IPs

In the module configuration, the Debug IP addresses box limits the search panel to whoever is on that list. It is there to let you try things out in production without anyone seeing, and it works just as well the other way round: taking the search panel away from everybody while something gets sorted out, while keeping it working for you.

Nothing is lost. Emptying the box gives the search panel back to everyone, on the next request.

Warning While there is an IP in that box, nobody else gets the search panel. It is the first thing to check whenever "search disappeared from the store".

For a few days: the search panel switch

Also in the module configuration, the search panel switch turns off the script injection. The store goes back to the theme's search, and the bar stays where it is: to the visitor, it is as if we had never been there.

Nothing changes on our side. The store stays connected, the index keeps being updated, and the rules, the synonyms and the settings stay where they were. Turning it back on is one click.

For an indefinite period: pausing the store

In the panel, under Search → Stores, the store status can be set to Paused. The difference from the module switch is which side decides: paused, we stop answering for that store, even if the module is still installed and still asking.

It is what you use on a seasonal store or on a pre-production environment that only opens now and then.

For good: uninstalling the module

Uninstalling the module in PrestaShop wipes all the local configuration: the key, the selectors, the debug IPs, the indexing options. The store stops feeding the index and stops loading the search panel.

On our side, the index and the settings stay. A reinstall with the same key picks the store up where it was, and the first sync sorts out whatever changed in the meantime.

If the intention really is to delete everything:

1. Revoke the key in Store profile → Integrations, to make sure nothing connects again by mistake.
2. If you want to delete the figures but keep the account, use Store profile → Privacy → Delete the analytics now.
3. If you want to delete the whole account, that is in Store profile → Privacy → Delete the account, and only the owner can do it. It takes the entire store, the indexes first, and there is no way back.

What never switches itself off

None of these actions cancels the subscription. The plan keeps running and keeps being charged until it is changed in Account → Plan and usage; see changing plan.