How long does it take for an app review to be completed?

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

A developer inquired about Shopify app review timelines after submitting their application. An official response indicated reviews typically take 5-10 business days, with possible delays depending on submission volume, and suggested contacting support if 30+ days pass without response.

However, multiple developers reported drastically longer experiences:

  • One developer has been waiting >8 weeks (approaching 3 months), citing 10-day delays between every interaction with reviewers
  • Reviewers contradicted each other across submissions, requiring the same app to be resubmitted in different formats
  • One case involved a 12-day initial rejection, followed by a 24-day second rejection with conflicting guidance
  • Reviewers tested incorrect app versions or misunderstood functionality (e.g., testing Instagram features via web)
  • Current wait times reported as 48 hours between each interaction, even for simple clarifications

Key concerns raised:

  • Inconsistent reviewer feedback and lack of coordination between team members
  • No functional feedback despite months of back-and-forth
  • Significant impact on launch timelines and marketing campaigns

Developer recommendations: Avoid building exclusively for Shopify; maintain platform independence to prevent being blocked by the review process. Budget ~100 days if planning launches around app approval.

The discussion remains unresolved, with developers still awaiting approval.

Summarized with AI on October 30. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
5

We are nearing 3 months of this App Review process.

The Shopify App Review Team takes 48 hours between every interaction now. This is what they call “in conversation”. This is the case even if you respond to their queries in minutes.

For us, after resolving ALL the app reviewer issues raised, we thought we were on the home stretch. Alas! The reviewer attempted to test Instagram App functionalities (while using the web), unmarked a resolved issue and left us hanging for another 48 hours!!

I sincerely suggest not investing in “building for Shopify” unless they can fix the quality of their App Review process…Or keep around ~100 days buffer if you planning anything around it!!

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