Navigating the Shopify App Review: Your "Approval Pending" Survival Guide
Hey everyone, it’s always a rollercoaster launching a new app, isn’t it? You pour your heart and soul into building something awesome, you meticulously test it, and then… you hit that 'Submit for Review' button. The initial wait is nerve-wracking enough, but then you see 'Approval pending' and the silence can be deafening. It’s a super common point of anxiety for developers, and it recently popped up in our Shopify community with Astflick asking for some advice.
Is "Approval Pending" Normal After Testing?
Astflick shared their experience: they submitted their app on October 13th, quickly made some requested fixes, and resubmitted on October 16th. The reviewers then spent around eight hours testing it, including repeated installs and uninstalls. Since then, crickets, just that 'Approval pending' status. So, is this quiet period normal? Absolutely, yes!
As umerzaman152 rightly pointed out in the thread, 'Approval pending' after hands-on testing usually means your app has moved into the final internal check queue. It’s not a sign that anything’s wrong, just that it’s waiting its turn. Jennifer_Lawrence echoed this, confirming that a 'quiet spell after testing is normal' and that testing is just one stage. It can take a week or two, sometimes longer, before you hear back.
What to Do While You Wait: Proactive Checks
Now, while patience is key, there are definitely some proactive steps you can take instead of just staring at your dashboard. Our community experts shared some fantastic tips:
1. Confirm Your Communication Channels Are Open
First off, make sure you’re not missing any crucial communication. Jennifer_Lawrence reminded us to:
- Confirm review emails are reaching the Partner account owner’s address. Sometimes, these might be routed to a developer's inbox that isn't regularly monitored by the main account holder.
- Check your spam folder religiously for Shopify domains. It sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how often important emails get caught there!
2. Resist the Urge to Push a New Version
This is a big one. It’s tempting to tweak things or push minor updates, but as Jennifer_Lawrence wisely advised, 'Leaving the submitted version alone' is critical. Pushing a new version mid-review can unfortunately send your app right back to the beginning of the review queue. Nobody wants that!
3. Dive Deep into Your Partner Dashboard
This is arguably the most powerful tip from the discussion, coming from AndyX. The 'Approval pending' status itself is pretty generic and, as AndyX noted, 'won’t show you a queue position' or 'a promised approval date.' However, the Partner Dashboard offers more granular detail than ever before.
AndyX highlighted a significant update from April: Shopify moved review feedback and questions directly into the Partner Dashboard. So, instead of just waiting for an email, you should:
- Open your app in the Partner Dashboard.
- Navigate to 'Distribution'.
- Review the individual requirement statuses and reviewer comments.
This is where you might find an 'outstanding item' or a 'question control' on an existing review item. If you see one, use it! It’s your direct line to the review team to ask whether anything is still needed from your side. AndyX specifically suggested mentioning your resubmission date (like Astflick’s October 16th) for context. You can find more details on this new experience in the Shopify developer changelog.
4. When to Ping Partner Support
While a quiet spell is normal, there comes a point when it’s reasonable to ask for an update. Umerzaman152 suggested reaching out 'after the hands-on testing... that can take a week or two, sometimes longer.' Jennifer_Lawrence added that 'if it goes well past the usual window,' then it’s time to act. If you’ve followed the steps above and haven’t found any outstanding issues in the Partner Dashboard, then:
- Head to your Partner Dashboard.
- Reach out to Partner Support.
- Quote your app name and your original resubmission date. (Again, for Astflick, that was October 16th.)
Remember, while Partner Support can give you a status update or check if anything's blocking it, the final 'timelines and decisions sit with the review team,' as Jennifer_Lawrence reminded us.
What Not to Stress About (or Do)
AndyX also gave a great piece of advice: don’t read too much into the 'install/uninstall activity alone.' That eight hours of testing Astflick saw doesn't necessarily mean the review is finished. And, if you’ve checked the Partner Dashboard and every requirement is resolved with no new reviewer requests, resist the urge to 'withdraw and resubmit just to try to restart it.' That’s often just going to delay things further.
It’s clear from our community discussion that waiting for app approval can be a test of patience, but it’s a necessary part of ensuring quality for the Shopify ecosystem. By understanding the process, proactively checking your dashboard, and knowing when it’s appropriate to reach out, you can navigate this period with a lot less stress. Keep building those amazing apps, and good luck with your approval!