Shopify has announced an important update that affects how merchants and developers create custom apps. Beginning January 1, 2026, it will no longer be possible to create new custom apps directly from the Shopify admin panel. Instead, all new custom apps must be built using the Shopify Dev Dashboard and then installed on the store.This change is part of Shopify’s ongoing efforts to enhance platform security, reliability, and long-term support for custom integrations.What Exactly Is Changing? You will not be able to create new custom apps from the Shopify admin interface. Existing custom apps are not affected and will continue working normally. New custom apps must be created through the Shopify Dev Dashboard, then installed on the store afterward.Why Is Shopify Making This Change?Shopify explains that moving custom app creation to the Dev Dashboard helps strengthen security controls, provide better management tools for developers, ensure long-term stability and support, standardize development workflows across the ecosystem.This move aligns Shopify’s custom app development with modern best practices, ensuring merchants benefit from a safer and more scalable development environment.If your store relies on custom functionality or integrations, it’s important to be aware of this change and prepare future development using the Dev Dashboard.What Do You Need to Do?If you currently use custom apps, there is nothing you need to do—your existing apps will continue to run as usual.However, if you plan to create new custom apps in the future: Stop using the Shopify admin to create apps Use the Shopify Dev Dashboard instead Install the app on your store once it’s createdHow to Configure a New Store Connection Between Store Manager and Your Shopify Store?To create an app, install the app on your store, and configure the connection between Store Manager and your Shopify store with the app, visit this guide.