Shopify App Review Times: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Understanding the Shopify App Review Process: A Community Perspective

So, you've built a fantastic Shopify app and you're eager to get it into the hands of merchants. That's awesome! But now comes the app review process, which can sometimes feel like a bit of a black box. Recently, a fellow developer, @asifide, hopped into the Shopify Community with a very common question: "How long does Shopify take to review an app?" Let's dive into what the community had to say and unpack what you can expect.

The Waiting Game: Decoding the "Assigning a Reviewer" Status

Asifide's app had been in the "We're assigning a reviewer to your submission" status for four days. This is a super common experience, especially for first-time submissions. Youssefhe5 chimed in, confirming that four days is pretty normal, particularly during busy periods. The key takeaway here? Patience is your friend.

The reality is that Shopify's app review timelines aren't set in stone. There are many factors that influence the duration of the review. Let's break down the different stages and what to anticipate:

• Assigning a Reviewer: This initial stage can take anywhere from a week to even longer. It depends on the current workload of the Shopify app review team.
• The Actual Review: Once a reviewer is assigned, the review itself can take another week or two. This is where your app is thoroughly examined to ensure it meets Shopify's guidelines.
• Resubmissions (if needed): If the reviewer finds any issues, you'll need to address them and resubmit your app. This, of course, adds more time to the overall process.

Youssefhe5 shared some valuable insights, noting that some apps sail through in a couple of weeks, while others can take over a month. Complexity matters! A more intricate app naturally requires more scrutiny. Holidays can also impact the review times, as the team might have reduced availability.

What Can You Do While You Wait?

Bundler-Manuel offered some great advice: "Just keep working on what you can in the meantime while checking for updates." This is excellent. Don't just sit around twiddling your thumbs! Use this time to:

• Refine your app's documentation: Clear and comprehensive documentation will make the reviewer's job easier and can speed up the process.
• Test your app thoroughly: Catching any potential bugs or issues before submission can save you time and headaches later on.
• Prepare your marketing materials: Get your app listing, screenshots, and promotional content ready to go so you can hit the ground running once your app is approved.

Key Considerations for a Smoother Review

While you can't directly control the review timeline, there are things you can do to help ensure a smoother and potentially faster process:

• Adhere to Shopify's App Store Guidelines: This is non-negotiable. Make sure your app complies with all of Shopify's requirements. Read them carefully!
• Be Clear and Concise: Provide clear explanations of your app's functionality and how it benefits merchants.
• Thoroughly Test Your App: I can't stress this enough. A well-tested app demonstrates professionalism and reduces the likelihood of issues being flagged during the review.

Here's an example of code, taken from the Shopify documentation, that shows how to properly authenticate an app using OAuth:

const apiKey = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
const apiSecret = 'YOUR_API_SECRET';
const scopes = ['read_products', 'write_products'];
const redirectUri = 'YOUR_REDIRECT_URI';

// Build the authorization URL
const authorizati

Remember to replace the placeholder values with your actual API key, API secret, scopes, and redirect URI.

Ultimately, the Shopify app review process is designed to ensure quality and security for merchants. While the waiting can be tough, understanding the process and preparing your app thoroughly can make a big difference. So, hang in there, keep refining your app, and get ready to launch something amazing!

It's all about setting expectations, being patient, and using the time wisely. Good luck with your app submission!