iOS Webview Shopify Login Returns 422 Error

Shopify Apps
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Topic summary

OAuth login to Shopify within an embedded iOS WebView is failing with a 422 (Unprocessable Entity) error. The suspected cause is Shopify’s OAuth flow relying on pop-up redirections, which iOS WebView does not fully support.

Context: OAuth is a redirect-based authentication protocol; an iOS WebView is an in-app browser component with limited handling of pop-ups and cross-window flows.

Proposed solutions:

  • Request Shopify to adjust the OAuth interaction to be WebView-compatible, improving in-app user experience.
  • Temporary workaround: route users to the mobile browser for authentication and store connection, then return them to the app.

Preference: The first option is favored for better UX.

Status: The poster is seeking help and willing to share more debugging details; notes others may face the same issue. No resolution or official guidance yet; the discussion remains open.

Summarized with AI on January 3. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hello, Shopify Developer Community,

We’re currently facing a challenge with integrating our mobile app, specifically within an embedded iOS WebView, with Shopify’s OAuth authentication process. The issue arises due to the authentication flow requiring pop-up redirections, which are not fully compatible with the iOS WebView environment.

After conducting some debugging, we’ve identified two potential solutions:

  1. Request Shopify to make adjustments to their OAuth interaction process to improve compatibility with iOS WebView. This solution would offer a better user experience.

  2. As a temporary workaround, direct users to authenticate and connect their store via the mobile browser instead of within the app, and then return to the app.

We believe the first option would provide a better user experience. Would appreciate any help and would be happy to provide any additional details required to debug this problem, as I believe other apps connected to Shopify face the same problems too. Thank you!

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