shopifydevguide logo
#Shopify
#Headless
#Theme Development
#Storefront API
#Webflow
#Next.js
#Performance
shopify
Shopify App Bridge

Shopify App Bridge: Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide (2025 Updated)

Deepak Kharware

November 26th, 2025

2,016 views
Shopify App Bridge: Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide (2025 Updated)

What Is Shopify App Bridge?

Shopify App Bridge is a powerful JavaScript library that allows developers to embed apps inside the Shopify Admin or Shopify POS. It creates a smooth communication layer between your app and Shopify, so the user experience feels native — not like they’re using an external website.

In simple words:

App Bridge helps your app work “inside” Shopify while looking and behaving like an official part of the admin.

Why Shopify App Bridge Is Important? 

Shopify App Bridge is one of the most important tools for Shopify app developers because it provides:

✓ Secure authentication

  • Uses OAuth, session tokens, and JWT

  • No need to handle cookies

  • Works perfectly with embedded apps

✓ Native admin experience

  • Custom UI elements

  • Navigation control

  • Toast messages

  • Modals

  • Resource pickers

  • Save bar

  • Loading indicators

✓ Better performance

  • Faster app load

  • Lightweight

  • Uses React or vanilla JS

✓ Required for embedded apps

If your app uses Shopify Admin API or Shopify App Extensions, App Bridge is mandatory.

High-ranking keywords used:
Shopify App Bridge, Shopify authentication, embedded apps, App Bridge tutorial, Shopify POS App Bridge, App Bridge React, App Bridge session token.

How Shopify App Bridge Works

App Bridge creates a secure, two-way communication channel between:

Your App ↔ Shopify Admin

When the user opens your app inside Shopify:

  1. App Bridge loads

  2. Verifies store authentication

  3. Sends session token

  4. Enables navigation, modals, toast, UI components

So your app becomes part of the Shopify dashboard.

How to Install Shopify App Bridge (Step-by-Step)

1. Install npm package


npm install @shopify/app-bridge npm install @shopify/app-bridge-react


2. Create App Bridge instance


import createApp from '@shopify/app-bridge'; const app = createApp({ apiKey: process.env.SHOPIFY_API_KEY, host: new URLSearchParams(location.search).get("host"), forceRedirect: true });

3. Enable Authentication


import { authenticatedFetch } from "@shopify/app-bridge-utils"; const fetchData = authenticatedFetch(app);

Most Used App Bridge Features (With Examples)

1. Toast Message


import { Toast } from '@shopify/app-bridge/actions'; const toast = Toast.create(app, { message: 'Saved successfully!' }); toast.dispatch(Toast.Action.SHOW);

2. Modal


import { Modal } from '@shopify/app-bridge/actions'; const modal = Modal.create(app, { title: "Confirm delete?", message: "Do you really want to remove this item?" }); modal.dispatch(Modal.Action.OPEN);

3. Resource Picker

Useful for selecting products, collections, media, etc.


import { ResourcePicker } from '@shopify/app-bridge-react'; <ResourcePicker resourceType="Product" open={open} onSelection={(resources) => console.log(resources)} onCancel={() => setOpen(false)} />

4. Redirect


import { Redirect } from "@shopify/app-bridge/actions"; const redirect = Redirect.create(app); redirect.dispatch(Redirect.Action.APP, "/settings");

Shopify App Bridge With Next.js

Next.js is the most popular framework to build Shopify apps today.
To use App Bridge in Next.js:

Add Provider


import { AppBridgeProvider } from "../components/AppBridgeProvider"; export default function App({ Component, pageProps }) { return ( <AppBridgeProvider> <Component {...pageProps} /> </AppBridgeProvider> ); }

Use with Session Token Fetch


const fetchApi = authenticatedFetch(app);

This ensures secure API requests using Shopify session tokens.

Conclusion

Shopify App Bridge is the backbone of modern Shopify app development. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Shopify developer, mastering App Bridge helps you:

✔ Build secure embedded apps
✔ Improve user experience
✔ Add native UI components
✔ Work smoothly with Shopify Admin & POS

If you're developing a Shopify app in React, Next.js, Node.js, or Express, App Bridge will be part of every project — so learning it early is a huge advantage.


Common Questions About Shopify App Bridge (FAQs)

1. Is Shopify App Bridge required?

Yes — if you're building embedded apps, App Bridge is mandatory.

2. Does App Bridge work with React?

Yes, Shopify provides @shopify/app-bridge-react, which includes:

  • Provider

  • Resource Picker

  • Title Bar

  • Toast

3. How does App Bridge authentication work?

It uses session tokens instead of cookies. More secure and works better with iframes.

4. Does App Bridge work with Shopify POS?

Yes. Shopify POS uses the same App Bridge system for embedded POS apps.

5. Why is App Bridge not working?

Common reasons:

  • Incorrect host param

  • App not embedded

  • Missing apiKey

  • Using old App Bridge v1 syntax

Share:

Join the Discussion

2 Comments

J

Jane Doe

This was such a helpful article, thank you for sharing!

J

John Smith

Great insights on headless Shopify. I'm planning to use Next.js for my next project.

Related Articles

Shopify Theme Development Guide (2025): A Complete Beginner-to-Advanced Tutorial With Code Examples
shopify
Shopify Store

Shopify Theme Development Guide (2025): A Complete Beginner-to-Advanced Tutorial With Code Examples

November 29th, 2025

Top Shopify Trends & Strategies for 2025: A Complete Guide for Store Owners & Developers
seo
shopify

Top Shopify Trends & Strategies for 2025: A Complete Guide for Store Owners & Developers

November 29th, 2025

How to Build a Shopify App in 2025: A Complete Guide (With Code Structure & Best Practices)
shopify
shopify app

How to Build a Shopify App in 2025: A Complete Guide (With Code Structure & Best Practices)

November 28th, 2025

Top Shopify Page Builder Apps (2025) — Build & Optimize Your Store Pages Without Code
shopify
shopify app

Top Shopify Page Builder Apps (2025) — Build & Optimize Your Store Pages Without Code

November 28th, 2025