Please help me get my reviews back - need the way to import reviews saved on a cvs file

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Main issue: After uninstalling a reviews app while switching the store to a catalogue, all product reviews disappeared. The merchant has a CSV (comma-separated values) backup (~600 reviews) and seeks a way to import reviews and keep them visible without paying for an ongoing app subscription.

Key points:

  • Suggested apps (Trustify, NB Reviews, Areviews) can import CSVs on trial plans, but it’s unclear if reviews persist after uninstalling the app.
  • Advice: Always export/backup reviews before uninstalling; ensure the CSV format matches the target app’s import schema.
  • Clarification: Reviews displayed by an app rely on that app’s code. Removing the app removes the display layer; Shopify doesn’t natively retain/show those reviews. Using metafields was mentioned but seen as more complex.

Current guidance:

  • Keep the reviews app (if possible on a free tier) to maintain visibility.
  • Regularly back up reviews for future re-imports if switching apps.

Status: No confirmed app solution that preserves reviews post-uninstall. The question remains open on an app that allows permanent display without keeping it installed.

Summarized with AI on December 13. AI used: gpt-5.
1

There are many review importing apps around, but which app allows you to keep them after uninstalling it?

We had to pause our Shopify shop temporarily to update quite a few things, and now we are using it as a catalogue. So obviously we wanted to uninstall all the marketing apps we did not need, including the one which collected reviews. To my surprise, removing the app made all the reviews disappear. It turns out, they are only visible when their app is installed. So we need to get them back into the system somehow.

Does anyone know an app which enables me to import reviews, possibly for free (may be on a free trial), but the most important thing is that we can keep the imported reviews and avoid keeping the app running on a monthly basis. There are less than 600 reviews to be added.

So far I was suggested to try Trustify, NB Reviews and Areviews, which can all import reviews from cvs files on a trial plan. But not sure if I can keep them after uninstalling them.

thank you.

2

HI， there

I think before uninstalling the review app, it is advisable to export all the reviews to your local system. This ensures that you have a backup of the reviews. In the future, if you reinstall the same app or install a new one, you can then import the reviews back into the system. It’s important to note that the review format should align with the requirements of the app.

3

thanks for commenting. oh of course I backed up all the reviews, but I assumed they will be left alone since there were also old reviews which were collected before adding the app. I hoped it were more straightforward to do this in Shopify. anyway, using an app seems to be easier than doing it semi-automatically with metafields…

4

Hi Schnitzelchen,

If the app is deleted, reviews won’t be displayed because its code will no longer function. To avoid losing your reviews, I recommend backing them up regularly. Alternatively, you could keep the imported review app in its free version to ensure the reviews remain visible on your website.