Theme App Embed Deep Link Not Working on Shopify Mobile App

Retired Boards Appdev Extensions

Topic summary

Developers are experiencing issues with theme app embed deep links not functioning correctly in the Shopify mobile app (Android). While the deep linking URL works as expected on desktop and mobile web browsers, it fails to navigate users to the app embed configuration section when accessed through the native Shopify mobile app—instead redirecting to the generic Online Store page.

Technical Details:

  • The issue occurs when using the documented deep link format: https://{shopDomain}/admin/themes/{selectedTheme}/editor?context=apps&activateAppId={extensionId}
  • Multiple redirect approaches have been tested (with/without newContext: true, using Redirect.create, different path structures) with the same unsuccessful result
  • The problem appears specifically tied to App Bridge version 3.7.9 with “Optimized loading for mobile” turned ON; disabling this setting resolves the issue

Current Status:

  • Shopify staff acknowledged the issue and reported it to the theme app extensions team, suggesting it may be a bug or limitation in the mobile app
  • No official fix or timeline has been provided
  • Developers have implemented workarounds: adding in-app banners instructing mobile users to switch to desktop, or sending detailed email instructions
  • Additional UI concerns raised: merchants must swipe up to see app embed settings on mobile, even when auto-enabled, making the experience “truly horrendous” and “totally broken”

Resolution: Remains unresolved and ongoing.

Summarized with AI on November 9. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I followed the instructions available in the Shopify Dev documentation regarding theme app embed deep links for theme activation: https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/online-store/theme-app-extensions/extensions-framework#app-embed-block-deep-linking-url

All works fine on desktop and mobile when logged in on a web browser.

However, when using the Shopify Mobile app from the Android App Store you do not get taken to the app embed block config section, it just takes you to the standard “Online Store” page, and QA testing gets stuck at this point as they do not know they need to do many more steps from this point to activate the extension and there’s nowhere for them to see these instructions after navigating (i.e they need to click “manage all themes”, select desired theme, click “customize”, tap “three dots on top right”, select “app embeds”, enable desired embed, click save).

Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 11.53.28.png
Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 11.53.28.png744×1438 119 KB

The redirection is made with the Redirect app action, like this:

const redirect = Redirect.create(shopifyApp)

redirect.dispatch(Redirect.Action.ADMIN_PATH, {
  path: `/themes/${selectedTheme}/editor?context=apps&activateAppId=${extensionId}/${handle}`,
  newContext: true,
})

Is there a different URL structure on Shopify Mobile? Even something that will just take the user to the list of app embeds?

I also tried the following with and without newContext but ended up with the same result on Mobile (the generic Online Store page)

redirect.dispatch(Redirect.Action.REMOTE, {
  url: `https://${shopDomain}/admin/themes/${selectedTheme}/editor?context=apps&activateAppId=${extensionId}/${handle}`,
  newContext: true,
})

Using App Bridge v3.7.9

2

Hi Darrynten,

It does appear that you’re doing everything according to the Shopify documentation. The issue might be due to the Shopify mobile app not handling the redirection properly.

Unfortunately, there’s no separate URL structure for the Shopify mobile app. The URL you’re using should work exactly the same on both on desktop and mobile. It’s possible this might be a bug or limitation of the Shopify mobile app. I’ve connected with the team who owns theme app extensions to report this issue.

In the meantime, you might want to consider adding instructions for mobile users in the app or sending them an email with detailed instructions on how to navigate to the app embeds section manually.

I’ll update here when I get more info from our internal dev team,

1 Like
3

OK, It’s a bit clunky but I’ve added a banner in affected apps for Mobile users with instructions to go to Desktop to enable the Theme App Embeds.

4

Hello Liam,

Do you have an update on this issue? I’m experience the same issue (landing on Online Store page, instead of App embeds list) using App Bridge v3.7.9, with “Optimized loading for mobile” turned ON. When “Optimized loading for mobile” is OFF, all works as expected.

5

Hello Darrynten,

Did you manage to resolve the issue with deep linking to app embeds?

6

Truly horrendous UI for mobile users. The merchant has to swipe up to see the app embed block settings - even when its auto-enabled. Please revisit this UI and fix it. It’s totally broken right now.

AT THE BARE MINIMUM

Please change the toast from “[Embed name] activated” to “Please save to enable [Embed name].”

1 Like