> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.paynow.gg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.paynow.gg/your-account/general.md).

# Profile & General Settings

Your account is *you*. Stores are things your account owns or belongs to. Keeping the two separate explains most of what is otherwise confusing about permissions and payouts.

*Dashboard → your account menu → General. No permission needed; this is your own account.*

## Account versus store

|            | Your account                                         | A store                               |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| What it is | Your login and identity                              | A shop you own or work on             |
| How many   | One                                                  | As many as you like                   |
| Carries    | Your profile, security settings, payout identity     | Products, orders, customers, settings |
| Roles      | Roles are granted **to** your account, **per store** | Each store has its own roles          |

You can own one store and be a read-only helper on another with the same login. The store switcher decides which one you are looking at; each store's [Team Members](/store-settings/team-members.md) page controls what you can do there.

<figure><img src="/files/dQiUIZtAtgarBPSNxgPW" alt="The account General page showing profile details."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## The three account pages

| Page                                      | What it covers                                                                                                   |
| ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **General**                               | Your profile details.                                                                                            |
| [**Security**](/your-account/security.md) | Password, two-factor authentication, passkeys.                                                                   |
| **Payouts**                               | Your payout identity. See [Account Payouts vs Store Payouts](/payments-and-payouts/account-vs-store-payouts.md). |

## Your account email

Where PayNow contacts you about your account, including security notifications. Separate from your store's **Support Email**, where customers reach you, and **Contact Email**, where PayNow contacts you about the store. Both live in [Settings](/store-settings/store.md).

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Use an address you will keep and can still access.** Losing access to your account email makes recovery slow, and if you are a store owner it is the account your payouts are attached to. A community-shared inbox is a poor choice; this should be personal to you.
{% endhint %}

## Leaving a store

Leaving a store, or being removed, does not delete your account. You keep your login, security settings and payout identity, and lose access to that store.

Ownership is different. It cannot be transferred by editing your own account. Contact <support@paynow.gg>.