Existing private app - cannot install on dev stores

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

Main issue: A developer’s long‑standing private app, used to test features and installation flows across multiple development stores, can no longer be installed on dev stores due to a recent Shopify change. Private apps are deprecated, and Shopify now blocks installation on development stores, showing a warning message.

Context: The developer prefers this setup over creating multiple custom apps (one per store), which they find cumbersome. They asked for a workaround to continue testing across dev stores without switching to custom apps.

Proposed solution: Create a public app that is never published. This grants access to the “Test on Development Store” installation link, allowing installs on dev stores. Limitation: This approach does not work for non‑development stores.

Outcome and status: The developer confirmed this meets their needs since they only require dev store testing. The thread reaches a practical resolution with an accepted workaround; Shopify’s policy change remains in place.

Summarized with AI on February 2. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hi there

I have an existing private app, which I use as my development environment to test new features and run automated smoke tests on my own development stores

I know private apps are now deprecated, but this is just a much better test environment than custom apps (e.g. for testing installation flows and adding same app to multiple stores).

It has thus far worked fine, even after deprecation, but now it seems something has changed from Shopify. I am no longer allowed to install the private app on my development stores. I get the warning below:

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Is there any way I can circumvent this, so I don’t have to create custom apps for my test stores (which would be a huge PIA)?

Thanks.

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You could create a public app that you never intend to publish, then you’ll get the “Test on Development Store” link in the app. Won’t work with non-dev stores of course, hope this helps.

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3

Thanks - that’s a good idea. It only needs to work with dev stores :slightly_smiling_face:

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