Turn Your Shopify Store Into a Mobile App: The Complete 2025 Guide

Over 70% of eCommerce traffic now comes from mobile devices, and conversion rates on mobile apps are 3x higher than on mobile web. Brands that invest in a mobile app not only increase their customer retention and repeat purchases – they also strengthen their brand presence by staying visible right on the customer’s home screen.

The good news? You don’t need a team of developers or a six-month timeline to launch your own app. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to turn your Shopify store into a mobile app – quickly, affordably, and with minimal technical effort. This post will walk you through the key benefits and a step-by-step path to going mobile. 

1. Why turn your Shopify store into a mobile app?

Mobile commerce isn’t the future – it’s the present. If your Shopify store isn’t mobile-first, you’re missing out on the fastest-growing segment of online shoppers.

According to DesignRush, over 76% of U.S. online shopping traffic comes from smartphones and tablets, and 67% of all online retail orders are placed via mobile devices. Shoppers today expect instant, intuitive, app-like experiences – and brands that can deliver them get more loyal customers, higher sales, and long-term growth.

Here are key advantages of having a mobile app for your Shopify store:

✅ Increase conversions with a seamless shopping experience:

Native mobile apps provide a faster, smoother, and more intuitive shopping experience than mobile websites. With optimized navigation, tailored interfaces, and less friction, users are more likely to browse longer and complete their purchases.
Plus, they can easily check out using mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, without needing to manually enter payment information – making the process faster, more secure, and more convenient.

✅ Boost repeat visits with one-tap access from customers’ home screens:

Being just a tap away builds brand recall and makes it easier for customers to return – without relying on search engines or ads.

✅ Drive sales with direct, instant push notifications:

Mobile apps give you a direct, reliable way to communicate with your customers. Unlike emails that can get lost in junk folders or Google Ads that cost more and may not reach the right people, push notifications go straight to your customers’ phones – instantly. Use them for flash sales, new arrivals, abandoned cart reminders, or back-in-stock alerts to drive real-time engagement and boost conversions.

✅ Reach shoppers anytime – even without a stable internet connection:

Unlike websites, apps can cache content and function partially offline – perfect for browsing on the go or in low-connectivity areas.

Who benefits most?

Mobile apps work best for brands that are growing fast and want to keep customers coming back. They’re a great fit for D2C stores, subscription businesses, or any shop with loyal, repeat buyers. If your store offers exclusive deals or personalized shopping experiences, an app makes it easier to connect with customers and keep them engaged.

2. Approaches to converting a Shopify store into an app

When you’re ready to turn your Shopify store into a mobile app, there are three main paths you can take – each with different levels of cost, complexity, and control. The right approach depends on your goals, budget, and technical resources.

2.1. Custom development

This is the most flexible option, where you hire developers or an agency to build your app from the ground up. You get full control over design, features, and integrations – but it comes at a price.

• Pros: Total customization, full control, scalable architecture
• Cons: High cost ($10,000+), long development timelines (months), ongoing maintenance

Best for: Large brands with in-house tech teams or big budgets

2.2. Shopify app builders (e.g., OneMobile, Appbrew, MageNative)

These no-code or low-code platforms are built specifically for Shopify. They let you turn your store into a mobile app quickly without hiring developers.

• Pros: Fast to launch (days, not months), affordable pricing, Shopify-native features
• Cons: Limited deep customization (compared to custom dev)

Best for: Growing D2C brands, solo founders, and small teams looking for speed and scalability

2.3. Headless commerce with custom frontend

This is a hybrid approach where Shopify handles your backend (products, inventory, checkout) while your app uses a completely custom frontend via APIs.

• Pros: Highly scalable, good for complex workflows or omnichannel setups
• Cons: Requires technical expertise, high dev cost, more setup time

Best for: Enterprise stores or businesses with complex needs and developer teams

Comparison table:

3. Steps for converting your Shopify store into a mobile app

Ready to take the leap and turn your Shopify store into a mobile app? Great! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

3.1. Choose the right Shopify mobile app builder

The first step is selecting the best mobile app builder for your needs.

There are plenty of options out there, but not all are created equal. A good app builder should make the process easy while offering the features you need to create a great mobile shopping experience.

Here’s what to look for:

• Ease of use: A drag-and-drop editor or visual builder makes it easy to design your app without coding.
• Shopify integration: It should automatically sync your products, collections, inventory, and checkout.
• Native app support: Ensure the platform supports publishing to both iOS and Android.
• Customization options: You should be able to brand your app to match your Shopify store’s look and feel.
• Push notifications: This is key for customer re-engagement and promotions.
• Analytics & loyalty features: Helps you track performance and build long-term relationships with users.

???? OneMobile is a great example. It’s built specifically for Shopify merchants and includes all of the above, plus extras like built-in loyalty rewards and guided publishing support.

3.2. Install the app builder on your Shopify store

Once you’ve chosen your builder, it’s time to install it. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Shopify App Store.
2. Search for the app builder you’ve selected (e.g., OneMobile).
3. Click “Install” and grant the necessary permissions.
4. Create your account within the builder’s dashboard.

The platform will begin syncing with your Shopify store, pulling in product data, collections, customer info, and settings – automatically setting the foundation for your app.

3.3. Customize and design your mobile app

Now comes the fun part: designing your app’s look and layout.

Most Shopify app builders provide an intuitive, no-code design experience. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Start with a template: Choose a layout that fits your industry (fashion, beauty, electronics, etc.).
• Customize the UI: Update navigation menus, homepage banners, product grids, colors, and fonts to match your brand.
  Optimize for mobile UX: Make sure everything is touch-friendly and loads quickly. Add search, filters, and smooth transitions.

???? With OneMobile, you can use ready-made templates or drag-and-drop components to create a professional design without any coding.

3.4. Add powerful features

Once the design is in place, enhance your app with key features that improve user experience and boost conversions:

• Push notifications: Schedule alerts for sales, new arrivals, or abandoned carts.
• Loyalty integration: Offer points or rewards to encourage repeat purchases.
• App-only discounts: Incentivize users to shop via the app.
• Analytics: Track installs, open rates, revenue, and more to guide decisions.

Most builders, including OneMobile, let you toggle these features on/off without any technical setup.

3.5. Preview and test your app

Before going live, take time to test your app thoroughly. Most platforms offer both emulator previews and live device testing.

Checklist before launch:

• ✅ Navigation works smoothly
• ✅ Product pages load correctly
• ✅ Add-to-cart and checkout function as expected
• ✅ Deep links (from push notifications or URLs) open the right screens
• ✅ App speed and image load times are optimized for mobile networks

Testing helps catch minor bugs that could affect user experience and app store approval.

3.6. Publish to iOS & Android App Stores

Once your app is tested and ready, it’s time to publish it.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Create developer accounts:
  • Apple Developer Program: $99/year
  • Google Play Console: $25 one-time fee
• Submit for review: Upload your app build, fill in your store listing, and follow each platform’s publishing guidelines.
• Wait for approval: Review times vary – Apple usually takes 2–5 days, Google 1–3 days.

???? OneMobile helps you publish your app using OneMobile’s developer account, so you can get live faster without dealing with the initial setup. You can transfer the app to your own account later. This approach saves you time upfront and helps avoid common rejection issues during the review process.

???? Pro tips from OneMobile’s onboarding team:

• Keep your first version simple. Focus on delivering a smooth shopping experience, and add advanced features later.
• Use app-exclusive promotions to drive downloads and boost loyalty.
• Prepare your app assets early – including app icon, splash screen, and screenshots.
• Test push notifications on both Android and iOS to make sure they work properly.

4. Can you turn your Shopify store into a mobile app for free?

If you’ve searched for ways to turn your Shopify store into a mobile app, you’ve probably come across platforms claiming to offer it “for free.” But here’s the truth:

You can often design your app for free, but you can’t actually publish it to the App Store or Google Play without upgrading to a paid plan. Most free versions are limited to basic design features, with no ability to launch or access key functionality like push notifications, loyalty programs, or analytics.

What’s the better option?

Look for platforms that offer a free trial or a freemium model. These allow you to:

• Explore the builder interface
• Design your app layout
• Preview how your app will look and work
• Get a feel for the platform’s features before you commit

This is a much more realistic way to test your mobile strategy without wasting time or hitting dead ends.

???? OneMobile offers both a free trial and a free plan, so you can begin building your app and testing core features without paying upfront. You only upgrade when you’re ready to go live, making it a flexible and low-risk way to turn your Shopify store into a mobile app.

5. Final thoughts: Turn your Shopify store into an app with OneMobile

Turning your Shopify store into a mobile app is no longer a luxury – it’s a smart, strategic move for growth-focused brands.

If your audience is mobile-first – and most are in 2025 – a mobile app can help you stand out, boost loyalty, and future-proof your business.

You don’t need a developer. You don’t need to code. With a tool like OneMobile, even solo founders and small teams can design, launch, and grow their own mobile app – quickly and affordably.

✅ Ready to launch your shopify mobile app?

-> Try OneMobile Free

Thuan Do SEO Specialist

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