Turn Shopify Store into Mobile App in 2026 + Fix Deep Linking After Firebase Shutdown
Convert your Shopify store to a mobile app in 2026 and boost conversions 3x. Learn top builders + why deep linking (post-Firebase) is essential for retention. Powered by ChottuLink.
The e-commerce landscape is shifting rapidly. While having a responsive mobile website was “good enough” in 2020, the data for 2025 and 2026 tells a different story. Brands that convert their website into an app are seeing significantly higher engagement and sales.
If you’re running a Shopify store, you might be wondering: Is it worth it? How hard is it? And what are the actual benefits?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about turning your Shopify store into a high-performance mobile app.
1. How to Turn Your Shopify Store into an App (Top Options)
Gone are the days when building an app required a six-figure budget and six months of development. Today, you have powerful options ranging from DIY no-code builders to specialized agencies.
A. No-Code Mobile App Builders (Fast & Affordable)
For most Shopify stores, this is the most popular route. These platforms plug directly into your Shopify dashboard and sync products, inventory, and customers in real-time.
- Tapcart: A market leader known for its drag-and-drop interface and robust integrations.
- Shopney: Excellent for design flexibility and offers features like in-app chat.
- Plobal Apps: Focuses heavily on personalization and AI-driven recommendations.
- MageNative / Vajro: Budget-friendly options that get you up and running quickly.
B. Specialized Agencies (Custom & Scalable)
If you’re a larger brand needing bespoke features (like AR try-ons or complex loyalty logic), hiring an agency might be the right move.
- The Transform Agency and Amasty are known for building robust, scalable e-commerce apps.
- Successive Digital offers end-to-end custom development for high-growth brands.
2. Why an App Wins Over a Mobile Website
You might ask, “My mobile site works fine, why do I need an app?” The answer lies in user behavior and retention.
3x Higher Conversion Rates
Apps offer a smoother, faster, and more distraction-free experience. Data consistently shows that mobile apps convert 300% better than mobile websites. Key drivers include saved payment details, one-tap checkout, and faster loading speeds.
The Power of Push Notifications
Emails get buried in spam folders. Push notifications appear right on the lock screen.
- Recover Abandoned Carts: “You left something behind! Complete your order in 1 tap.”
- Flash Sales: “VIP Access: Sale starts NOW.”
Push notifications have an open rate that blows email marketing out of the water.
3. Critical Features Your App Must Have
Not all apps are created equal. To ensure your app is a growth engine and not just a “nice-to-have,” ensure it includes:
- Seamless Checkout: Apple Pay / Google Pay integration is non-negotiable.
- Smart Search & Filtering: Help users find products instantly.
- In-App Sharing & Deep Linking: This is often overlooked but critical. When a user shares a product from within your app to a friend on WhatsApp, that link must open the specific product in the friend’s app (if installed) or prompt them to download it. → Powered by reliable infrastructure like ChottuLink to keep viral sharing and ad traffic intact.
- Without this, you break the viral loop and lose potential installs.
4. Mobile Commerce Stats You Can’t Ignore (2024-2026)
The shift to mobile apps isn’t a fad; it’s a fundamental change in how consumers shop.
- Dominance of Mobile: By 2025, mobile devices are projected to generate 59% of global e-commerce sales (Statista).
- App Preference: Consumers spend 90% of their mobile time in apps versus just 10% on browsers.
- Growth Trajectory: Mobile commerce reached $2.2 trillion in 2024 and is growing rapidly, with apps driving the majority of high-value transactions (Shopify Blog).
References: Statista, Shopify, and industry reports from Tapcart & Shopney.
5. The “Deep Link” Secret to App Success
One of the biggest challenges brands face after they turn their website into an app is the “broken link” problem.
Imagine this: You run an Instagram ad for a specific pair of sneakers. A user clicks it.
- Scenario A (Bad): It opens the App Store, they download the app, and… poof. They land on the generic homepage. The user is frustrated and leaves.
- Scenario B (Good): It opens the App Store, they download the app, and automatically land on that exact sneaker page.
Best Deep Linking Solution for Shopify Apps in 2026
This is where ChottuLink comes in.
Our clients use ChottuLink to solve exactly this problem. Whether you build your app with Tapcart, Shopney, or a custom agency, you need a reliable deep linking infrastructure.
ChottuLink ensures that every link—whether shared on social media, sent in an SMS, or clicked in an ad—takes the user to the exact content inside your app, every single time. It handles the complex routing between iOS, Android, and Web, ensuring you never lose a customer in transition.
Ready to grow your app? make sure your links work as hard as your app does.
Get your branded deep links (links.yourbrand.com) set up in <15 min. Start free trial
Pro Tip: Not sure if your deep links are working? Use our free Deep Link Tester Tool to debug and verify your links before running ads.
Transforming your Shopify website into an app is the first step. Ensuring users can find what they want inside it is the second. Start with a solid app builder, and power your growth with ChottuLink.
For more details on features and integration, check out our FAQ page or see our Pricing.