Shopify App Store / Policy change

App Store submission requirements updated
"Build → grow → expand" is now the required order

Listing additional apps now requires an install track record on your existing apps. Resubmissions after a rejection face progressively longer cooldowns, new submissions require identity verification, and apps with 0 installs for 6 months are automatically delisted. Effective today.

On this page
  1. What's changing (30-second overview)
  2. The 4 changes, illustrated
  3. Checkpoints from submission to staying listed
  4. Who is and isn't affected
  5. Old vs. new rules
  6. What to do now (3 steps)
  7. 5 key points for developers
  8. 3 use cases for your business
  9. One-line summary for proposals

1What's changing

The goal is to make sure listed apps are apps merchants actually use.
New thresholds now apply to new submissions, resubmissions after rejection, additional app listings, andlisted apps with 0 installs,effective today.

Before: you could ship apps in volume

You could submit additional apps regardless of how your existing apps were being used, and unused apps could stay listed.

Now: build a track record, then expand

Install history on existing apps, identity verification, and a completed cooldown are prerequisites. Unused apps are automatically removed after 6 months.

2The 4 changes, illustrated

Change 1 10+ +

Minimum installs before listing additional apps

To list an additional app,each of your existing appsneeds at least 10 installs on full-priced Shopify stores. For details, see submission limits in the App submission review guide.

Change 2

Progressive cooldowns after rejection

After a rejection, there's a waiting period before you can resubmit.The wait gets longer with each repeated rejection. Resubmitting without meaningful fixes only extends the wait. For details, see App submission paused.

Change 3

Identity verification for new apps

For new app submitters,identity verification is now a required step. This lets merchants see who is behind an app. Before submitting, you can complete it from partner account .

Change 4 0

Apps with 0 installs after 6 months are removed automatically

Apps that still have 0 installs after 6 months areautomatically removed from the Shopify App Store. See the App usefulness check for details.

3Checkpoints from submission to staying listed

Developer Pre-submission gate ✓ Identity verification (new) ✓ 10+ installs on each existing app ✓ Cooldown period over Review App Store review Rejected → cooldown Gets longer with each rejection Listed 6-month check Installs ≥ 1 Stays listed 0 installs Removed automatically
"10 installs" is the gate for listing additional apps,"0 installs" is the removal criterion for existing listings. They are counted differently, so don't mix them up.
The article doesn't say exactly what counts as "full-priced Shopify stores" (which plans or store types are included). Check the linked submission limits.

4Who is and isn't affected

Affected (if any one of these applies)

Want to list an additional app
Each existing app needs 10+ installs
Resubmitting after a rejection
Subject to a cooldown
Submitting a new app
Identity verification required
0
Listed with 0 installs
Subject to automatic removal

Not affected

Apps that alreadymeet the install threshold, andremain installed on at least one full-priced Shopify storeare not affected.

5Previous vs. new rules

ItemPreviousNew rule (starting today)
Listing additional apps Not mentioned in this post Conditional Each existing app has 10+ installs on full-priced stores
Resubmitting after rejection Not mentioned in this post Escalating cooldown Gets longer with each repeated rejection (exact number of days not specified)
New app submitters Identity verification was not a required step Identity verification required Complete it in advance from your partner account
Unused listed apps Not mentioned in this post Automatic removal Removed from the App Store after 6 months with 0 installs
Effective date — Immediately All new submissions, resubmissions, and listed apps

6What to do now (3 steps)

1

Complete identity verification

If you plan to publish a new app, complete identity verification from your partner account before submitting.

2

Check install history and cooldowns

Before submitting or resubmitting, confirm you meet the applicable install requirements and that any cooldown has ended.

3

Audit install counts for your listed apps

Identify apps at risk of automatic removal for having 0 installs.

If you're rejected, address the review feedback before resubmitting.Resubmitting without adequate fixes leads to repeated rejections and an even longer cooldown.

75 key points for developers

3

1. "Each app" needs 10+ = your weakest app is the gate

The requirement isn't a combined total: your existing apps musteachhave 10 or more installs. If even one app falls short, you can't list your next app.

FULL ¥

2. Only full-priced stores count

Installs are counted on full-priced Shopify stores. This article doesn't define which store types are excluded. Check the submission limits for details.

3. Rejections come at a cost

The cooldown gets longer with each rejection. This article doesn't say how many days it lasts or how much it grows after each rejection. Don't submit just to see what reviewers flag. Do a thorough self-review before you submit.

4. Identity verification is a one-time step for each partner account

This step is required for new app submissions, and you can complete it from your partner account before you submit. This article doesn't list the required documents or how long it takes. Work back from your release date and finish it early.

5. Your app has to keep getting used after it's listed

After 6 months with zero installs, the app isautomatically removed. Getting listed isn't the finish line. Your release plan should also cover how you'll win your first installs after launch, such as reaching out to existing customers. This article doesn't explain how to relist an app after removal.

83 practical use cases

10 !
USE CASE 1

Rework the release plan for your next app if you're a partner with multiple apps

Challenge
You want to release a new app, but you can't list it if even one existing app has fewer than 10 installs on full-priced stores.
Action
Count the installs for each existing app. Then either grow the apps below 10 first or move the new app's listing date back.
Impact
You won't find out about missing requirements after you've already submitted, so you can set a realistic release date.
Technical notes
Each app is checked separately. For the definition of full-priced, see submission limits in the App submission review guide.
USE CASE 2

Add identity verification, cooldowns, and install counts to your pre-submission checklist

Challenge
Repeated rejections make the cooldown longer, which directly delays your release. For new submissions, you can't submit until identity verification is complete.
Action
Add four items to your internal pre-submission checklist: (1) identity verification is complete, (2) the cooldown has ended, (3) install requirements are met, and (4) feedback from the last review has been addressed. Don't submit until every item is checked.
Impact
You avoid needless rejections that make the cooldown longer, so it's easier to stay on your release schedule.
Technical notes
For cooldown details, see App submission paused under App submission review and suspensions. This article doesn't give the number of days.
6 months App A : 24 App B : 0
USE CASE 3

Regularly check listed apps for the risk of automatic removal

Challenge
Apps published for niche use cases or client projects can be removed automatically if they go without installs.
Action
Check install counts for your listed apps regularly and flag any with zero. Work on getting installs for the apps you want to keep, and decide whether to retire the ones you don't need.
Impact
Apps aren't removed without you noticing, and you can manage which apps you keep listed on purpose.
Technical notes
For the evaluation criteria, see the App usefulness check. This article doesn't say whether developers get advance notice before removal.

9One-line summary for proposals

"The App Store now requires a 'build → grow → expand' sequence.
10 installs on each existing app, identity verification for new submissions, escalating cooldowns after rejections, and automatic removal after 6 months with zero installs.
Shift from shipping many apps to growing each one until it's reliably used."