Install Sam on Shopify
This guide walks you through installing Sam on a Shopify store using our official app. The app is currently in review — when you install you’ll see a brief “this app isn’t listed in the App Store yet” notice, which is normal.
Who this is for
You run a Shopify store and have admin access (Owner or Staff with apps permission).
Prerequisites
- Any Shopify plan (Basic, Shopify, Advanced, Plus)
- A Sam account at viasam.app
- Your Sam API token
Step 1 — Open the install link
Click Install on Shopify from inside your Sam dashboard (Widgets → Install your widget → Shopify), or visit:
You’ll be taken to Shopify’s app authorization screen.
Step 2 — Approve the permissions
The app requests one permission: Manage themes. We use it only to inject the widget script via a theme app embed block. We never modify your theme files directly.
Click Install app.
Step 3 — Paste your API token
After install you’ll land on the Sam Widget admin page inside your Shopify admin.
- Paste your API token in the input field.
- Click Save changes.
You’ll see “Widget is active on your storefront.” once saved.
Step 4 — Verify
Open your storefront in a new tab. The Sam widget should appear in the corner you configured.
If it doesn’t appear, go to Online Store → Themes → Customize, then App embeds in the left sidebar, and confirm “Sam Widget” is toggled on.
Why a theme app embed (not a script tag)?
Shopify is deprecating the old ScriptTag API. ScriptTag also doesn’t run on the checkout pages. Our app uses a theme app embed block — it’s the modern, official way, and it works on every page including checkout.
Troubleshooting
Widget doesn’t appear on the storefront. Customize → App embeds → make sure “Sam Widget” is on. If it’s already on, check that you saved your API token.
Widget appears on storefront but not on checkout. Theme app embed blocks must be enabled per theme. If you switched themes recently, re-enable the embed on the new theme.
“This app isn’t listed in the App Store” warning during install. This is normal — our app is currently in review. The warning will go away once we’re listed.
Uninstall
In your Shopify admin: Settings → Apps and sales channels → Sam Widget → Uninstall. We automatically clear all data tied to your shop on uninstall (per Shopify’s GDPR requirements).
Privacy & data
The app stores your API token as a shop metafield (managed by Shopify). It does not collect or transmit any customer data. The widget itself sends visitor messages to the Sam API for AI responses — see the Sam privacy policy.
Need help?
Email support@viasam.app — include your *.myshopify.com domain.