---
title: "How to Allow Non-Logged-In Users to Wishlist in WooCommerce"
description: Let guests add products to a WooCommerce wishlist without logging in, or require a login instead, with Wishlist for WooCommerce.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/wishlist-non-logged-in/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
tags:
  - Wishlist for WooCommerce
---

# How to Allow Non-Logged-In Users to Wishlist in WooCommerce

To let non-logged-in customers use the wishlist in WooCommerce, go to **WPFactory > Wishlist > Buttons** in [Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/) and keep **Add/Remove** and **Visibility** ticked under **Interaction with unlogged Users**. Both are on by default, so guests can save products without an account, and their list moves into their account when they log in.

![Wishlist Buttons tab settings](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/pasted-image-0-8.png)

## Guest wishlist options

| Label | Tab | Option ID | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Add/Remove | Buttons | `alg_wc_wl_allow_unlogged` | Yes | Free |
| Visibility | Buttons | `alg_wc_wl_unlogged_can_see_buttons` | Yes | Free |
| Guest user data type | Advanced | `alg_wc_wl_guest_user_data_type` | Cookie | Free |
| Expire time / Unit | Advanced | `alg_wc_wl_guest_user_expire_time_number` / `alg_wc_wl_guest_user_expire_time_unit` | 1 / Months | Free |
| Disallow Unlogged (message) | Texts | `alg_wc_wl_texts_disallow_unlogged` | Please {login} if you want to use the Wishlist | Free |

## Step-by-step

1. Go to **WPFactory > Wishlist** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Wishlist**) and open the **Buttons** tab.
2. Scroll to **Interaction with unlogged Users**.
3. Keep **Add/Remove** ticked (Allow unlogged users to remove/add items to the wish list once the button is clicked).
4. Keep **Visibility** ticked (Allow unlogged users to see the buttons on the frontend).
5. Optionally open **Advanced** to choose how guest lists are stored and how long they last.
6. Click **Save changes**.

## How guest wishlists work

- Each guest gets an anonymous ID, kept in a browser cookie or in the WooCommerce session, depending on **Guest user data type**.
- Their products are stored on your site and expire after the **Expire time** you set (1 month by default). The settings screen notes that object caches or server actions can clear this data earlier.
- When the guest logs in or registers, the saved products are copied into their account wishlist (without duplicates) and the guest copy is cleared.
- A guest list belongs to one browser: it does not follow the visitor to another device until they log in.

## Require a login instead

- Untick **Add/Remove**: guests still see the buttons, but clicking one shows the **Disallow Unlogged** message with a login link to your My Account page. Edit that text on the **Texts** tab; keep the `{login}` placeholder for the link.
- Untick **Visibility**: guests do not see the wishlist buttons at all.

## Show the button on shop and archive pages too

Guests and customers alike can save products straight from listings. On the **Buttons** tab, the thumb button already appears on the product loop by default. To add the text button, go to **Default button - Loop**, tick **Loop** (Enable button on product loop), and choose a **Hook priority**: **9 - Before add to cart button** or **11 - After add to cart button** (the default). Save changes. Full guide: [add the wishlist button to shop and archive pages](https://wpfactory.com/docs/add-wishlist-button-archive/).

![Default button loop settings](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/pasted-image-0-9.png)

## If it does not work

- **A guest's wishlist empties on its own:** a caching layer is dropping the cookie or serving cached pages. Set **Guest user data type** to **WooCommerce Session**, which the settings recommend for caching issues, and enable **General > Cache**.
- **Lists expire too soon:** raise **Expire time** or switch **Unit** to Weeks, Months or Years. See [guest wishlists and their expiration](https://wpfactory.com/docs/guest-wishlist-expiration/).
- **Guests see a login message:** **Add/Remove** is unticked.
- **Guests see no buttons:** **Visibility** is unticked.

## FAQ

### Is guest wishlisting free?

Yes. All guest options are in the free version.

### Can I add a wishlist to WooCommerce without a plugin?

WooCommerce has no built-in wishlist, so a plugin such as [Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/) is needed.

### Does a guest keep the list after closing the browser?

Yes, as long as the browser keeps the cookie or session and the expire time has not passed.

### What happens to the list when a guest creates an account?

It is copied into the new account's wishlist automatically.

## Related guides

- [Configure guest wishlists and their expiration](https://wpfactory.com/docs/guest-wishlist-expiration/)
- [Add the wishlist button to shop and archive pages](https://wpfactory.com/docs/add-wishlist-button-archive/)
- [Troubleshoot the wishlist with cache plugins](https://wpfactory.com/docs/troubleshoot-wishlist-cache/)

### Get more control

This feature is free. [Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/) Pro adds drag-and-drop, arrow and dropdown sorting, copying a wishlist, hiding buttons by product tag, extra shortcodes and CSV wishlist import. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/).

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Wishlist for WooCommerce support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/wish-list-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Modify and Product Pages for Wishlist Reporting](https://wpfactory.com/docs/modify-user-product/)
- [Translating WooCommerce Wishlist Texts for a Personal Touch](https://wpfactory.com/docs/translate-woocommerce-wishlist/)
- [Adding Wishlist Columns During Product Import and Export in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/wishlist-columns-import-export/)
- [Customizing Wishlist Popup Icons in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-popup-icons/)
- [Customizing Social Icons Color on Wishlist Page in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/customize-social-icons/)

 

[![Wishlist for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Wishlist-for-WooCommerce.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/wish-list-woocommerce/)