Turn Shopify Store Into a Mobile App

• Why Turning Your Shopify Store Into a Mobile App Matters in 2025

• How to Turn a Shopify Store Into a Mobile App — Step-by-Step Process

• Alternative Approaches (If a Builder Isn’t Right for You)

• How Much Does It Cost to Turn a Shopify Store Into a Mobile App?

• App Store Compliance & Common Rejection Traps

• How to Promote and Grow Your Shopify Mobile App

• When NOT to Build a Mobile App (and What to Do Instead)

Key Takeaways

• Mobile apps aren’t just for big brands anymore — in 2025, they’re a powerful way for Shopify stores to build deeper customer loyalty, faster checkouts, and better retention.

• If your store already has traffic and repeat customers, an app can boost LTV and reduce dependency on ads by putting your brand on users’ home screens.

• You don’t have to code it yourself. No-code app builders like Tapcart, Vajro, and Shopney can launch your app in weeks — with native performance and Shopify sync.

• Costs vary wildly — from £40/month for no-code solutions to £80,000+ for custom apps. Choose based on your scale, goals, and ROI horizon.

• App stores have strict rules. To avoid rejection, your app must offer more than a mobile website clone — focus on value, UX, and compliance.

• Don’t forget promotion. Launching an app is just step one. Use email, push, QR codes, and loyalty incentives to drive downloads and engagement.

• Not every store needs an app. If you have low traffic, no retention issues, or a low AOV product, focus on optimising mobile web UX first.

Why Turning Your Shopify Store Into a Mobile App Matters in 2025

In 2025, a mobile app is a retention machine. Shoppers don’t just want convenience. They want familiarity, speed, and frictionless experiences — and that’s exactly what mobile apps deliver.

• Push notifications beat emailAverage open rate for push: ~20–30%. For email? You’re lucky with 10%. If you want to nudge repeat buyers, apps give you the best seat in their phone.

• Speed = salesMobile sites — even optimised ones — can lag. Apps preload content. They feel smoother. Your best customers notice.

• Better retention toolsMobile apps can sync with loyalty programs, saved carts, and in-app offers. Everything feels personal and fast.

• Home screen real estate = brand powerYou’re not just a tab anymore. You’re next to Instagram, Uber, and Spotify. That visual cue alone boosts repeat visits.

• Offline accessSome mobile app frameworks let customers browse and build carts even without a live connection. That’s clutch for travel, remote areas, or flaky signals.

💡Expert insight: For DTC brands, apps are no longer optional once you hit scale — especially if your AOV is high or you rely on frequent re-orders (think: skincare, coffee, supplements, fashion drops).

How to Turn a Shopify Store Into a Mobile App — Step-by-Step Process

Turning your Shopify store into a mobile app doesn’t need to be a dev nightmare — especially in 2025, with tools that abstract 90% of the complexity.

But a mobile app is still a product, not just a feature. So here’s how to do it properly, without wasting time or budget:

Step 1: Decide Why You’re Building the App

Before anything else: what’s the goal?

• More repeat purchases?

• Better mobile experience?

• Push notification capabilities?

• App-only content or features?

If the answer is just “because everyone else has one”, stop. Mobile apps only work if they add unique value — otherwise, your site will always outperform it.

Step 2: Choose Your Build Method

You’ve got three main options:

App builders like Tapcart, Vajro, Plobal, and Shopney are plug-and-play. They sync with Shopify, let you drag-and-drop design elements, and can publish directly to the App Store and Google Play. Most even support push notifications and analytics.

Step 3: Sync Your Shopify Store

Once you’ve chosen a platform, connect your Shopify store. The builder will usually:

• Import your product catalogue

• Mirror your collections/navigation

• Sync inventory and checkout flow

• Pull customer data (for logins, accounts, loyalty)

This part is faster than you think — most builders handle it in under 15 minutes.

Step 4: Design the Mobile Experience

This isn’t just about colours and logos.

You’ll want to:

• Simplify navigation: No mega menus, just swipe-friendly categories

• Nail the product pages: Big images, one-tap add to cart, reviews

• Optimise checkout: Fewer fields, Apple Pay / Shop Pay front and centre

• Add app-only banners or offers: Give users a reason to install

💡Pro tip: Don’t just copy your website layout. Prioritise speed, simplicity, and thumb-friendly interaction.

Step 5: Enable Push Notifications and Integrations

This is the real power move. A mobile app gives you push notifications — the holy grail of owned marketing.

Use this wisely:

• Back-in-stock alerts

• Cart reminders

• New product drops

• Flash sales or early access

Also, connect your marketing stack: Klaviyo, LoyaltyLion, Yotpo, ReCharge — most major tools have app builder integrations or work via API.

Step 6: Test Everything (Seriously)

Before you hit publish, test like your revenue depends on it (because it does).

• Test on both iOS and Android

• Check login, checkout, and payment flow

• Ensure push notifications work properly

• Validate App Store metadata and screenshots

Ask friends or a few top customers to beta test. Offer them a discount for honest feedback.

Step 7: Submit to App Stores

Each builder or developer should help you with this — but here’s what’s involved:

• Apple App Store: More rigorous. Avoid WebView clones. Use Apple Pay. Follow HIG (Human Interface Guidelines).

• Google Play Store: Slightly more flexible, but still requires proper app functionality and policies.

Expect 2–7 days for approval if everything checks out.

Step 8: Promote Your App (Hard)

Once you’re live — don’t keep it a secret.

• Promote it sitewide (“Shop Faster in Our App”)

• Use email/SMS to announce it to existing customers

• Offer a limited-time discount for first app purchase

• Add app install banners to your mobile site

💡Remember: App downloads are optional for users. You have to earn that icon space on their phone.

Alternative Approaches (If a Builder Isn’t Right for You)

If a no-code app builder feels too limiting or you want more control, you’ve got options.

Hire a Developer or Agency

Want pixel-perfect control? Hiring a Shopify-savvy app developer (or a full-stack agency) means you’re not confined to builder templates. You can build custom UX flows, integrate complex backend logic, or create app-exclusive features — loyalty programs, subscriptions, gamification, you name it.

Go Headless with a Mobile Frontend

This is for the brave (and well-funded). Headless commerce decouples your Shopify backend from the frontend UI. That means you can use frameworks like React Native or Flutter to create your app, while Shopify still handles inventory, checkout, and payments. Total freedom — but also total responsibility.

💡Tip: If your brand is already doing 7–8 figures, or you’ve got a dev team on retainer, headless mobile is worth considering.

How Much Does It Cost to Turn a Shopify Store Into a Mobile App?

Let’s break it down. Costs vary based on the route you take:

Don’t forget ongoing costs: app maintenance, OS updates, bug fixes, customer support, and marketing.

💡Pro insight: If you’re not ready for a full app, start by calculating your mobile cart abandonment rate. If it’s sky-high, a native app might pay for itself fast.

App Store Compliance & Common Rejection Traps

Apple and Google are gatekeepers. And they don’t love clone apps or lazy Shopify conversions.

Here’s what often triggers a rejection:

• Too similar to the website: Especially in the Apple ecosystem. If your app is just a WebView of your store, they’ll flag it.

• No native features: Push notifications, offline access, Apple Pay, etc. — if these aren’t present, your app feels pointless to reviewers.

• Inconsistent UX or crashes: Reviewers test thoroughly. Buggy checkouts or broken links? Straight to the rejection bin.

• Missing legal info: No privacy policy, terms of service, or contact details? You’re out.

💡Pro tip: Always run a pre-review checklist and submit your app via someone who’s been through the App Store submission process. It’s part art, part compliance theatre.

How to Promote and Grow Your Shopify Mobile App

Launching your mobile app is only half the battle. Now you need downloads — and usage.

Here’s what actually works:

Incentivise the Install

Offer 10% off the first order via the app. Or exclusive products. Or app-only early access drops. Make it worthwhile to install.

Promote through your Owned Channels

Add “Shop the App” banners on your site. Use your email flows. Promote in post-purchase SMS. You’ve already got traffic — now redirect it.

Leverage Push Notifications Wisely

Don’t just spam. Segment and send relevant messages — low stock alerts, price drops, restocks. The open rates will humble your email team.

Invest in App Store Optimisation (ASO)

Treat your app store listings like product pages. Use high-intent keywords (“[Your Brand] app”, “discount shopping app”), test screenshots, and earn real reviews.

When NOT to Build a Mobile App (and What to Do Instead)

A Shopify app isn’t a silver bullet. Sometimes it’s a distraction.

Don’t build a mobile app if:

• You have less than 10,000 monthly sessions

• Your conversion rate is under 1%

• Your product doesn’t need repeat purchases or brand loyalty

• Your customers are mostly desktop buyers

Instead, focus on mobile site UX. Speed it up. Simplify the checkout. Enable Apple Pay or Shop Pay. Fix the leaks before you build a second bucket.

💡Pro insight: A lean, mobile-optimised site paired with solid SMS/email marketing often beats a neglected app.

Turn Shopify Store Into a Mobile App: This is a Tool, Not a Trophy

Turning your Shopify store into a mobile app is about meeting your customers where they are. And increasingly, they’re on their phones. But only build the app if your store is ready to support it, grow it, and justify it.

Start small. Measure everything. Think long-term.

The best ecommerce apps aren’t just copies of websites — they’re extensions of the brand. Faster, more focused, and delightfully personal.