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Setting up Vortex Backup is a Shopify App Store install, plus a short subscription confirmation, plus allowing the initial backup to complete. After install, Vortex Backup begins backing up the four real-time entities automatically; the rest you trigger manually. This page covers both the install and the post-install walkthrough.

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Part 1. Setup

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Install from the Shopify App Store

Install the app from the Shopify App Store at apps.shopify.com/vortexiq-backup. When you click Install in the App Store, Shopify shows the standard permission and pricing screen. Approve the requested API scopes (which cover read across products, collections, customers, orders, themes, files, locations, markets, delivery profiles, metaobjects, and store policies, plus the webhook subscriptions for the real-time entities).

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Accept the subscription

Vortex Backup is plan-based; choose the tier that matches your store size and approve the subscription in Shopify.

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Initial backup runs automatically

Once the app is installed and subscribed, it automatically begins backing up all the real-time data entities. Allow some time for this initial backup to complete before starting to use the app. Data entities with real-time (webhook) support, namely Products, Collections, Customers, and Orders, are backed up automatically. All other entities require manual backup from the Settings page. You will notice that the sync status is set to Active, and the status of all real-time entities will display as Active.

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Part 2. Onboarding

Welcome aboard. The following walkthrough helps you get familiar with Vortex Backup and make the most of the features available under your selected licence plan.

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Understanding the app interfaces

The four primary screens are:
  • Dashboard, the home view with store info and the snapshot grid.
  • Restore Centre, where you search, compare, and restore.
  • Change Logs, the audit trail of restores and settings changes.
  • Settings, the real-time vs manual backup controls.

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Time taken for data backups

This depends on many factors such as the data volume in your tenant, data dependencies, Shopify API throttling, and connection speeds. Initial backups can range from a few seconds for simple stores to several hours for data-intensive stores.

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Run a first manual backup of non-realtime entities

After the initial real-time backup completes, run a manual backup of the 17 non-realtime entities so you have a complete baseline. From the Settings tab, click Backup next to each entity (or work down the list one at a time):
  • Discount Codes
  • Discount Automatic
  • Blogs
  • Pages
  • Files
  • Themes
  • Gift Cards
  • Navigation Menus
  • URL Redirects
  • Markets
  • Delivery Profiles
  • Locations
  • Price Lists
  • Catalogs
  • Metafield Definitions
  • Metaobject Definitions
  • Metaobjects
This is the moment your store has full coverage. From now on, real-time entities update automatically; the other 17 update each time you run a manual backup.

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FAQs and known issues

For quick reference, see FAQs and known issues. Highlights to know up front:
  • Customer passwords cannot be backed up or restored (Shopify platform constraint).
  • Gift card codes cannot be restored to the original code (Shopify generates new codes for security).
  • Orders are backed up for reference but not restorable.
  • Archived orders are not currently included in backups.

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Product releases and roadmap

See FAQs and known issues for the historical release notes and the upcoming roadmap.

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Support

When logging a support ticket by email to helpdesk@vortexiq.ai, please provide:
  • Source store URL (your-store.myshopify.com).
  • IDs such as Restore ID or Data Entity ID from the app’s Change Logs.
  • Full error messages and screenshots clearly describing the issue requiring assistance.
Alternatively, submit a support ticket via the Helpdesk portal. For troubleshooting purposes, our technical team may require access to your store. Prior to granting access, please disclose any specific information, restrictions, or requirements that we should be aware of.

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FAQ

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Does install affect the live storefront?

No. Installing Vortex Backup adds API access scopes and webhook subscriptions but does not change any storefront content, theme, or configuration.

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How long does the initial backup take?

For most stores it completes in a few minutes to a couple of hours. Stores with very large catalogues or extensive content libraries can take longer; the Dashboard shows progress per entity.

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Can I trial Vortex Backup on a development store first?

Yes. Many merchants install it on a Shopify development store first, run a small test rollback, and confirm the workflow before adding it to Production.