How to Implement Multi-Language Support in a Shopify App?

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

A developer is building a Shopify app and seeking guidance on implementing multi-language support for global merchants.

Recommended Approach:

  • Use react-i18next for frontend (React/Polaris apps) and i18next or i18n for backend translations
  • Organize translations in /locales directory using JSON-based files (e.g., en.default.json, fr.default.json)
  • Avoid hardcoded strings throughout the codebase

Key Implementation Details:

  • Automatically detect store language via Shopify’s API (shop.locale) or App Bridge context
  • Parse Accept-Language header for backend-generated UI
  • Implement fallback strategy (typically English) for missing translations
  • Support lazy loading and namespace separation for scalability

Additional Considerations:

  • Ensure compatibility with Shopify Polaris UI components
  • Prioritize translation quality and ease of use for end users

The discussion remains open for further questions, with the original poster expressing gratitude for the detailed guidance provided.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi Everyone,

I’m currently developing an app for the Shopify App Store, and I’d like to implement a multi-language feature to support merchants from different regions.

If any of you have already implemented multi-language support in your app, I’d really appreciate it if you could share the best practices, libraries, or approaches you used.

Thanks in advance for your help!

2

Hi @aravinthemb ,

These are the best Way to Add Multi-language Support to a Shopify App:—
Tech Stack Assumed: React (Polaris) + Node.js (Express)

Use react-i18next for frontend.
Use i18next or i18n for server-side translations if needed (e.g., emails), for Backend.

Load language from Shopify store’s locale or App Bridge.

Organize translations in /locales.

Avoid hardcoded strings.

This keeps your app lightweight, scalable, and Shopify-ready.

Thanks !

3

Thanks for your information @StevenT_A7 .

4

Hey @aravinthemb

Great to see you’re building for the Shopify App Store — adding multi-language support is definitely a smart move if you’re targeting a global merchant base. We’ve implemented this in a few apps, and here are some best practices that worked well for us:

Best Practices for Multi-Language Support in a Shopify App:1. Use Shopify’s i18n (internationalization) standards
Shopify recommends using JSON-based translation files, typically structured like this:

locales/
  en.default.json
  fr.default.json
  es.default.json

  1. Frontend Libraries
    If you’re using React:

    • i18next + react-i18next works beautifully

    • It supports lazy loading, language switching, and namespace separation

  2. Backend Management
    If your app has backend-generated UI, store language keys server-side and send translated responses using the user’s locale from Shopify (Accept-Language header or store settings).

  3. Detect Store Language Automatically
    Shopify provides the shop’s locale via the API (shop.locale) and also sends it in app bridge context if you’re using App Bridge.

  4. Fallback Strategy
    Always have a fallback (usually English) in case a translation isn’t available.

  5. Use Shopify Polaris for UI Consistency
    If your app is built with Polaris, keep in mind it’s also built to work well with i18n integrations.

Best of luck with your app launch, Let me know if you have any questions!

5

Thank you very much for your detailed information.

6

Hi,
Users care about whether it is easy to use your app
Most importantly, users care about the quality of translation