Many Shopify apps no longer add their storefront features through injected code but as an app block. You place it in the theme editor like any other section or block. Whether that works for you depends on your theme.
What app blocks are
App blocks are part of theme app extensions. According to Shopify, they work with Online Store 2.0 themes. The benefit: apps built this way don’t edit your theme code. That lowers the risk of an app update or uninstall breaking your theme, and you don’t have to paste anything into theme files.
Check it in two minutes
- In Shopify, open Online Store → Themes and click Customize on your current theme.
- Switch to the product page template at the top.
- If Add section appears below the list of sections, it’s an Online Store 2.0 theme. If the button is missing, Shopify says it’s a vintage theme.
- In a 2.0 theme, Add section or Add block also shows an Apps area with the app blocks of your installed apps.
According to Shopify, vintage themes only support sections on the home page, and free vintage themes only receive security fixes. If you want to use app blocks, switching to an Online Store 2.0 theme is the way forward.
What to watch when switching
- Work on a copy first and only publish once everything looks right.
- Note which apps used to write code into your theme and check whether they now offer app blocks.
- Check the product page, cart and mobile view before you switch.
Our app HGDE MatchGrid relies entirely on app blocks. That’s why the theme question is the first thing in our FAQ.