Wix Mobile Apps: FAQs About Building Your Own Native App

Start by designing your app using the Mobile App Builder in your site's dashboard. Customize the name, logo, and appearance to match your brand. 

You can preview the app for free on your mobile device to test its design and functionality. When you're ready to publish, purchase a Mobile App Premium plan, and follow the steps to submit your app to the Google Play Store and the App Store.

Learn more about getting started building your app.

The Mobile App Builder is in your site's dashboard on desktop. 

Note: The first time you build your app, click the Start Now button to begin building your app. 

Yes, you have full control over the design elements of your app. Choose from various templates and customize colors, fonts, and layouts to align with your brand identity.

You can add features such as Wix Stores, Wix Bookings, blog, chat, push notifications, and more. If you have a Wix site, you can integrate existing features to create a seamless experience for your app users.

Yes. During the app creation process, you can select elements from your existing Wix website to include in your mobile app. This ensures that your app reflects your website content, providing a cohesive experience for your app users. 

For example, you can add a product gallery element to show all the products from your site in your app. Learn how to add elements to your apps.

Yes, your app updates automatically when you make changes in your site's dashboard, as long as the relevant widget is added. For example, if you publish a blog post, it will appear in the app if the blog widget is included.

Note: Changes made directly in the site's editor won't affect your app's design unless the appropriate widgets are added.

After designing your app in the Mobile App Builder in your site's dashboard, follow the steps to create and connect an Apple and Google developer account. This process is managed by Apple and Google and approval can take a few business days. 

Once approved, finish registering the app from your app overview in the Mobile App dashboard. Then submit your app to Wix for approval. After submission, we will send it to the relevant app stores.

No, your own mobile app will be available in addition to the mobile version of your website. Your own mobile app is a fully native mobile app that can be downloaded from app stores. Site visitors accessing your site from a mobile browser can still view the mobile version.

You can change the default language of your mobile app. App users can select their preferred language from their user profiles.

Note: Choosing an app language updates all Wix app content (Wix Stores, Wix Bookings, Wix Blog, etc.). Content you create, such as adding a new text section, appears in the selected language. Currently, your native app does not support multilingual functionality 

If you're using an existing Wix member app (Spaces by Wix, Fit by Wix), no migration is required. Your app users will get a notification in their app asking them to download your new mobile app. Learn how to switch your preferred member app.

Yes, you can choose to publish your app in just one app store, such as the App Store or Google Play. You have the flexibility to publish in either store or in both, depending on your preference.

Your own native mobile app is available in the following languages:

Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Ukrainian. 

No, a native mobile app requires an online connection. Currently, it is not possible to use the app offline and then have the content sync once the device is online again.

You can test your branded app by previewing it as your app users will see it. This lets you review the design, navigation, and functionality before it's approved and published.

All Mobile App Premium plans include these features:

Check out the features included in the different plans. 

No, the plan does not include the registration fees and you must pay those separately. Apple's App Store membership fees start at $99 USD a year, and Google Play is a $25 USD one-time fee.

After your app is live, if you decide to cancel your subscription Wix automatically removes your app from the app stores. If your app users try to use the app they will be notified that the app is no longer available for use.

You can get a full refund within the first 30 days of purchasing a subscription.

Yes, you can assign your Premium plan to a different site in your Wix account. 

Wix reviews your app to ensure compliance with Apple and Google's guidelines. If any issues are found, we will notify you to make the necessary changes. Once your app passes our review, we will submit it to Apple and/or Google on your behalf. The upload process may take a few days.

Note: Your mobile app is subject to Apple and Google's approval. Wix has no control over whether it will be approved or rejected. Google requires an additional 14-day closed testing review after submission. Learn more about the submission process.

The review process timeframe varies. Once you submit your app through Wix, we submit it to Apple and Google on your behalf. Their approval times differ, depending on each store’s review process. We keep you informed along the way and let you know as soon as your app gets approved. Read more about submitting your app.

To submit your app in the App Store and Google Play, you need to create developer accounts with Apple and Google. There are annual fees associated with these accounts.

Currently, when submitting your own app to the App Store and Google Play, it is not possible to upload your own screenshots to your listing.

As a workaround you can upload your own screenshots to the Wix Chatbot. Once you submit them, the native app submissions team in Wix will get notified and upload the screenshots to your store listing on your behalf.

The approval process varies from platform to platform and Wix has no control over the timeline.

As part of the Mobile App Premium plan, Wix takes care of your app's submission to the stores as well as the app's maintenance and compliance with any new policies. During this process you, may receive emails from Apple and Google. These emails require no action from you.

Learn more about the emails you receive from Apple and Google.

If your app doesn’t pass Apple or Google’s review, Wix gets notified. You then get a notification on your site's dashboard to let you know your app was not approved and what changes are needed.

Once you make the necessary changes, you’ll need to resubmit your app to Wix for approval, and then again to Apple and Google. Learn how to resubmit your app.

Once your app is live, we make sure it stays current by updating it when necessary.

Yes, you can make updates to your app at any time. Changes you make in the Wix Mobile App Builder go live automatically. App users will receive the updates right away.

However, design changes require approval from Apple and Google before they appear in the app.

When you cancel your subscription after your app goes live, your app is automatically removed from the app store listings.

App users will be notified that the app is no longer available when they attempt to use it.

You can get a full refund within the first 30 days of purchasing a subscription. To request a refund, cancel your plan from Premium Subscriptions in your Wix account. Learn more about the Wix refund policy.

Your Apple Developer Account or Google Developer Account information will be saved in case you want to relist your native mobile app in the future. You can re-purchase a Mobile App Premium plan to get it back in the app stores. 

If you change your mind about canceling your mobile app, or canceled it by mistake, contact Customer Care for support. We're happy to help get your native mobile app back into the app stores. 

Note: Mobile apps remain listed for 2-3 days after cancellation.