Shopify Mobile App Launch Checklist: Everything to Do Before You Go Live (2026)

Last updated: May 2026 | Reading time: 8 minutes

A poorly executed app launch is worse than no launch. This checklist covers everything a UK Shopify brand needs to do before — and in the first two weeks after — a mobile app launch.

8 weeks before launch

• [ ] App Store accounts: Create Apple Developer account (£79/year, 48-72hr verification) and Google Play Developer account (£25 one-time)
• [ ] App Store listing assets: app icon (1024x1024px), screenshots (min 3 iPhone + 3 iPad), description (4000 chars), keywords field (100 chars)
• [ ] ASO keyword research: Title, subtitle, and keywords field for organic App Store discoverability
• [ ] Shopify integration testing: product sync, inventory updates, order creation, Shop Pay, Klarna/Clearpay in staging environment
• [ ] Push notification infrastructure: APNS and FCM credentials configured, test notification flow verified end-to-end

4 weeks before launch

• [ ] App Store review submission: Apple review takes 1-7 days for new apps. Submit early — don't submit on launch day.
• [ ] Cart abandonment notification: configured and tested — fires 1 hour after cart abandonment
• [ ] Order confirmation and shipping notifications: transactional notifications configured and tested
• [ ] Back-in-stock notification flow: "Notify me" button on sold-out products, inventory trigger configured
• [ ] Launch email campaign written: 3-send sequence (teaser, launch day, 2-week follow-up)

2 weeks before launch

• [ ] End-to-end purchase test: Real purchase on both iOS and Android — card, Shop Pay, Klarna
• [ ] Push opt-in prompt reviewed: tested on both platforms, value proposition is clear before the permission request
• [ ] Post-purchase redirect live: mobile web checkout redirect to app download page
• [ ] Analytics configured: event tracking for product views, add to cart, checkout, purchase, notification interactions

Launch day

• [ ] Send launch email #1: dedicated send to full email list with App Store links and QR code
• [ ] Update social profiles: App Store links in bio on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter
• [ ] Pin launch post: Pin a launch announcement to your profile on key social channels
• [ ] Enable smartbanner: on mobile website linking to App Store

First 2 weeks post-launch

• [ ] Monitor crash reports: daily check for any App Store crash reports
• [ ] Review push notification opt-in rate: if below 40%, review the opt-in prompt timing and copy
• [ ] Send launch email #2: 2 weeks after launch to non-openers of email #1
• [ ] Begin in-app review request: trigger review prompt for users who have had a purchase delivered

Published by Talmee, a Manchester-based Shopify mobile app agency. We manage the full launch process as part of our service. From £1,999/month, no revenue share. talmee.com