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Select a distribution method

Before you can share your app with merchants, you need to select a distribution method. You select it in the Dev Dashboard, which replaces the Partner Dashboard for app management.

You can't change the distribution method after you select it, so understand the capabilities and requirements of each type first.

  • Public distribution: your app is listed in the Shopify App Store and any merchant can install it. It goes through app review, and it can charge merchants through the Billing API.
  • Custom distribution: you install your app on a single store, or on the stores in one Plus organization, using a link you generate. There's no app review, and you can't use the Billing API.

Most apps built for a specific merchant or an agency client use custom distribution. Apps meant for many merchants use public distribution. Apps built with App Home UI extensions can use only custom distribution.

If you have separate apps for development and production, then select the distribution method on the production app.

Note

You can no longer create custom apps in the Shopify admin. Existing admin-created custom apps keep working, and their distribution method can't be changed. To create a new custom app, build a Shopify app and select custom distribution. Learn about the features and limitations of each app type.

Anchor to Select a distribution methodSelect a distribution method

  1. Open your app in the Dev Dashboard.
  2. On the app's Home, find the Distribution card and click Select distribution method.
  3. Select a distribution method, and then confirm the selection.

After you choose, the same card links to what you need next: Manage Shopify App Store listing for public distribution, or Manage custom install link for custom distribution.

If you selected Public distribution, then you can start creating your Shopify App Store listing, and submit your app for review when it's ready. See submitting an app to the Shopify App Store.

If you selected Custom distribution, then generate an install link and send it to the store owner.

Anchor to Install a custom app on multiple storesInstall a custom app on multiple stores

A custom app can be installed on multiple stores when those stores belong to the same Plus organization.

  1. After you select Custom distribution, enter the store's myshopify.com or admin.shopify.com domain.
  2. Optional: to limit your app to a single store, clear Allow multi-store installs for one Plus organization.
  3. Click Generate link, and then copy the install link.

Send the install link to the store owner so that they can install the app. For example, you can share it by email.

Note

If you created your custom app before July 26, 2023, then contact Shopify Support to enable multi-store installs.

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