Shopify App Review / Creation Doubt

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

A developer is building a non-embedded Shopify app with OAuth authentication that users can install on their stores. The app requires user registration before installation and provides custom functionality.

Core Issue:

  • The app appears to require Public App status based on documentation
  • However, the developer doesn’t want an App Store listing
  • Non-embedded public apps seemingly require manual store URL input for connection
  • This URL input requirement conflicts with Shopify’s review policies

Seeking Guidance:
The developer needs clarification on the correct app submission and launch process that complies with Shopify’s guidelines while accommodating their specific use case of a non-embedded, installable app without App Store distribution.

No responses have been provided yet, leaving the question unresolved.

Summarized with AI on October 28. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hello,
I am developing an app which is a non-embedded app, that any user can install on their store. The user registers with me, then installs the app via the oauth / grant token process and then gets functionality that i’ve developed.

My question is, that: from the looks of the documentation, my app will have to be a Public App, but i don’t need the App store listing, plus for a non-embedded public app, the store url needs to be input to connect (my best takeaway from the docs). which is against review policy.

What is the right way to submit / launch such an app while following Shopify Guidelines?