Tired of Clicking? How to Pin Your Favorite Shopify Apps to the Admin Sidebar

Hey there, fellow store owners! As a Shopify migration expert, I spend a lot of time diving into the nitty-gritty of what makes our stores tick, and sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Recently, I stumbled upon a super relatable discussion in the Shopify Community forums that I just had to share. It was titled "Apps displayed on Shopify home" – a seemingly simple topic, but one that touches on a common frustration: navigating your admin efficiently.

Our friend @WineLife (who was actually the one who replied to the original post, but then asked a follow-up question!) kicked off the real conversation. They were feeling a bit stuck because their Shopify admin sidebar was only showing one app, forcing them to constantly click the generic "Apps" button just to see and access their other installed tools. "Not a big deal," they said, "but I’m wondering if anyone knows why my home only displays one app, and requires me to click the apps button to see my other apps. Is there a way to have them listed under apps since there’s plenty of room? It’s just inconvenient. screenshot attached."

And honestly, who hasn't felt that inconvenience? You've got a whole suite of powerful apps, but if they're hidden behind an extra click, it slows you down. WineLife even shared a screenshot, which really painted the picture:

The Simple Fix: Pinning Your Apps to the Sidebar

Luckily, the answer was right there in the thread, thanks to @Laza_Binaery. They pointed out a super handy feature that many store owners might overlook: the ability to "pin" your apps directly to the main sidebar navigation. This means your most-used apps are always just one click away, saving you precious time and mental energy.

Laza_Binaery explained it perfectly: "When you click on most of the apps that appear in the sidebar next to the app name ususally there is a bit icon. When you hover over it." They even included a helpful image showing exactly what this little icon looks like:

This "pin icon" is your key to a more streamlined Shopify experience. It's designed to let you customize your admin dashboard, putting your essential tools front and center.

How to Pin Your Favorite Shopify Apps (Step-by-Step)

Ready to reclaim your sidebar and make your workflow smoother? Here’s how you can pin your most-used apps:

1. Navigate to Your Apps Section: From your Shopify admin, go to Apps in the left-hand sidebar. This is where you see all your installed applications.
2. Find the App You Want to Pin: Scroll through your list of apps to locate the one you use most frequently.
3. Look for the Pin Icon: Hover your mouse cursor over the app's name. You should see a small "pin" icon (it looks like a pushpin or a thumbtack) appear next to the app's name.
4. Click the Pin Icon: Give that pin icon a click! When you do, the app will instantly be added to your main Shopify admin sidebar, underneath the "Apps" heading, or in the main navigation area, depending on the current UI.
5. Repeat for Other Apps: You can repeat this process for all your essential apps. Shopify allows you to pin several apps, giving you quick access without needing to dive into the full Apps section every time.
6. Unpin If Needed: Changed your mind? Just hover over a pinned app in the sidebar, and the pin icon will reappear. Click it again to "unpin" the app, and it will disappear from your main navigation, though it will still be accessible via the main "Apps" menu.

It's a simple change, but it makes a huge difference in daily operations. Imagine not having to click "Apps" then scroll, then click your desired app. Every second counts when you're managing a busy store!

A Note on "External" Apps

Laza_Binaery also made an important distinction: "But some apps are “external,” so you can not pin them." This is a good point to keep in mind. While most apps from the Shopify App Store will offer the pinning option, there might be a few exceptions. These "external" apps could be custom integrations, private apps developed specifically for your store, or perhaps apps that operate slightly differently within the Shopify ecosystem. If you find an app that doesn't show the pin icon even after hovering, it's likely one of these. Don't worry, you can still access them through the main "Apps" section; you just won't get the direct sidebar link.

So, there you have it! A quick, easy win for improving your Shopify admin experience. It's these kinds of little insights from the community that truly help us optimize our daily routines. Give it a try, and let me know if it streamlines your workflow as much as it does mine!