Shopify is ringing in 2026 with a major change that will reshape how developers build private integrations. Starting 1 January 2026, you will no longer be able to create new custom apps directly from the Shopify Admin. Existing custom apps will continue to work, but any new app must be created using the Shopify Dev Dashboard or the Shopify CLI. This move signals Shopify’s commitment to stronger security, unified developer experience and long‑term stability for merchants and partners.
In this article, we’ll break down what legacy custom apps are, why Shopify is deprecating them, how the Dev Dashboard works, what this means for your business and how to prepare. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions and provide actionable steps to ensure your integrations are ready for the future.
What are legacy custom apps?
Custom apps are private integrations built exclusively for a single Shopify store. They allow developers to add bespoke features or connect external systems via Shopify’s APIs. Historically, merchants and developers could create these custom apps directly from the Apps section of the Shopify Admin. After January 1 2026, that door closes for good. Existing custom apps will remain functional, but you’ll need to switch to the new workflow for anything new.
Custom apps replaced private apps in 2022 because they offer secure token management, better visibility into ownership and activity, and integration with modern event‑driven technologies. The 2026 deprecation simply retires the legacy creation flow from the Admin—pushing all developers toward the Dev Dashboard.
Why is Shopify deprecating legacy custom app creation?
Shopify’s changelog makes it clear that the old admin‑based process is being retired to improve security and support for custom apps. Creating apps inside the Shopify Admin gave merchants direct access to API credentials and tokens, but it also introduced security risks: unlimited TTL tokens could be exposed, and there was little visibility into app ownership or activity. By centralising app creation in the Dev Dashboard, Shopify can enforce better authentication (client credentials grant), audit trails and role‑based access.
The move also aligns with Shopify’s broader shift toward a unified development experience. According to the documentation, the Dev Dashboard is a central hub for creating and managing apps, providing app management, logs, metrics and development stores. It streamlines workflows by consolidating everything into one interface and ensures that all new apps follow the same standards and review processes.
Meet the Shopify Dev Dashboard
The Dev Dashboard is a web interface under your partner account that acts as a single source of truth for all your apps. From here you can:
Create and manage apps – register new custom apps, update existing ones and set permissions.
Access logs and metrics – view logs, performance metrics and errors to monitor your app’s health.
Create and manage development stores – spin up dev stores for testing and experimentation.
Manage partners and roles – assign collaborators to your app and control access levels.
You can access the Dev Dashboard from the Shopify Admin by navigating to Settings → Apps and sales channels → Develop apps → Build apps. Alternatively, developers can use the Shopify CLI for more advanced tasks like creating app versions, previewing theme changes or generating extension files. For many merchants and non‑technical users, the Dev Dashboard will offer a simple and secure way to manage private integrations without leaving the Shopify ecosystem.
New authentication flow: the client credentials grant
A key reason for this change is security. Legacy custom apps used API tokens with no expiry—a major vulnerability if those tokens were leaked. The Dev Dashboard mandates OAuth 2 client credentials grant, a flow designed for server‑to‑server integrations. According to Shopify’s forums, new custom apps will require merchants to supply the client ID and client secret to generate access tokens. These tokens are short‑lived, reducing the risk of abuse. Shopify staff note that the extra API call required to obtain the token is a “net positive for security,” eliminating unlimited TTL tokens.
In practice, when your app needs to call Shopify’s Admin API, it must first exchange its client credentials for an access token via a POST request. Once the token expires, you repeat the process. This pattern is standard across modern platforms and ensures that any compromised tokens quickly become useless.
What does this mean for developers and merchants?
This change might feel disruptive, but it’s ultimately a positive step. Here are the key implications:
✅ Stronger security
Moving to the Dev Dashboard and client credentials grant reduces the attack surface. Tokens expire regularly, secrets are never exposed to store staff and there’s an audit trail of who created what. For merchants, this translates to greater confidence in the apps powering their stores.
🔗 Unified development experience
Developers and partners now have one place to manage all apps, logs, metrics and dev stores. This consistency eliminates confusion and helps teams scale their workflows. It also ensures that apps adhere to Shopify’s latest standards, including GraphQL (which becomes mandatory for new public apps from 1 April 2025).
📌 Long‑term stability
By consolidating app creation, Shopify can invest more resources into maintaining and improving the Dev Dashboard. It’s easier to support and update one official tool than multiple pathways. For merchants, this means fewer bugs and more predictable integrations.
🤝 Easier collaboration
With role-based access and app ownership controls, teams can collaborate more safely. External agencies or freelancers can be granted limited access to specific apps without exposing other store data. When someone leaves, you can revoke access instantly.
Preparing for January 1 2026: A step‑by‑step guide
The deadline might seem far off, but migrating early ensures a smooth transition. Here’s a checklist to get ready:
Audit your existing custom apps – Document each custom app’s purpose, features and current API permissions. Note which ones will need updates or replacements.
Decide on the migration approach – For mission‑critical apps, rebuild them in the Dev Dashboard or using Shopify CLI. For simpler integrations, consider using built‑in Shopify functions or public apps from the App Store.
Implement the client credentials flow – Update your server code to request access tokens via the client credentials grant. Store the client ID and secret securely (e.g., environment variables or secret management services).
Test thoroughly in dev stores – Use development stores to test your new custom apps. Monitor logs and metrics through the Dev Dashboard to catch errors early.
Update documentation and processes – Train your team on the new workflow. Update onboarding documentation so everyone knows to create apps via the Dev Dashboard (not the Admin).
Plan for future API changes – Shopify is also marking its Admin REST API as legacy and encouraging all developers to use GraphQL. If you haven’t already, start learning GraphQL and updating your integrations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Will my existing custom apps stop working in 2026?
No. Existing custom apps will continue to function. The deprecation only affects creating new apps through the Admin. However, Shopify may eventually retire other legacy features, so it’s wise to migrate sooner rather than later.
Do I need to rebuild my app from scratch?
Not necessarily. If your current app relies on the same APIs and logic, you can often reuse most of the code. The main changes are in how you create the app (via the Dev Dashboard) and how you authenticate (client credentials grant). It’s a good opportunity to review your codebase and update it to use modern best practices.
What about private apps for multiple stores?
Legacy private apps have been deprecated since 2022 and replaced by custom apps. If you need an app that works across multiple stores, you should build a public app through the Partner Dashboard. Public apps require Shopify’s review and may include user interfaces and billing components.
How does GraphQL relate to this change?
Shopify is positioning GraphQL as the definitive API and marking the REST Admin API as legacy. New public apps must use GraphQL from April 1 2025. While GraphQL isn’t mandatory for custom apps yet, adopting it will future‑proof your integrations and improve performance.
Conclusion: A more secure and scalable future
The retirement of legacy custom app creation marks a significant milestone in Shopify’s evolution. By shifting app development to the Dev Dashboard, Shopify is prioritising security, unified developer experience and long‑term stability. Developers and merchants should embrace this change as an opportunity to modernise their integrations and adopt best practices like the client credentials grant and GraphQL.
Need help migrating your custom apps or building new ones? Our team at Datronix Tech specialises in Shopify development and API integrations. We can audit your existing apps, rebuild them using the Dev Dashboard, and ensure they comply with Shopify’s latest standards. Schedule a consultation to get started.
