How to set up Unlisted distribution for partner app and configure privacy policy URL

Dev Platform
1

I’ve created a partner-scoped app that I want to distribute to few merchants via install links, but I do NOT want it listed in the Shopify App Store.

My situation:

  • I’m in the Partner Dashboard under Apps distribution > My App > Manage submission

  • I see “Preliminary Steps” with a listing form that appears to default to Public/App Store distribution

  • The form requires App Store-specific fields (screencast, app discovery content, etc.)

  • I cannot find where to select “Unlisted” as the distribution method

What I need:

  1. Where do I select “Unlisted” distribution in the current Partner Dashboard UI?

  2. Where do I configure the privacy policy URL that will be displayed during app installation?

  3. Do I need to complete all the App Store listing requirements just to enable Unlisted distribution?

Thanks!

Sanjeev

2

Hi @Sanjeev_Kapoor,

I can confirm that Unlisted Public Apps do still need to complete the App Store Listing Review and Requirements, since it is still a Public App with an App Store Listing Page, which is how merchants will install the app.

Unlisted just means that the App Store Listing Page for the app will not appear in searches on the App Store or search engines, and that merchants will need to have the Listing Page URL provided to them directly to be able to access it and install the app.

In order to set the app visibility to listed or unlisted, you will need to complete the App Review process first, and once the review is completed and your app is published on the App Store, you can edit the visibility from the Partner Dashboard following the instructions from the Shopify.dev documentation:

  1. Log in to your Partner Dashboard.
  2. Click Apps.
  3. Click the name of the app whose listing status you want to change.
  4. Click Distribution.
  5. Click Create listing or Manage listing.
  6. Find the App Store visibility card.
  7. Select either Limit visibility or Make fully visible.

You do need to set the Privacy URL on the App Store Listing before the app is approved and published. You can do this via the following steps:

  1. In the Partner Dashboard select App Distribution > All Apps
  2. Select the App in question
  3. Select Distribution > Manage Submission
  4. Click the edit link next to the Create Listing Preliminary step to access your actual App Store Listing.
  5. From within the App Store Listing, scroll down to App store listing content section and there should be a subsection under Resources where you can add the privacy URL.
3

Hi Kellan -

Thanks for sharing this information.

Sanjeev