Uninstalling the Archive app from your Shopify store starts a deletion process for your Archive workspace. This article explains what happens, what the recovery window looks like, and what to do if you need to act quickly.
What Happens When You Uninstall
When you remove the Archive app from Shopify, Archive does not immediately delete your workspace or data. Instead, the following two-stage process takes place:
Immediately after uninstall — Archive resets your app's access permissions. Your workspace data (content, campaigns, labels, views, settings) remains fully intact in Archive's database.
~48 hours later — Shopify sends a mandatory data deletion request to Archive (required for all apps on the Shopify App Store). At that point, Archive permanently deletes your workspace and all associated data.
This means you have approximately 48 hours after an uninstall before any data is lost.
⚠️ Caution: Shopify displays a warning about data redaction during the uninstall process. If you see that warning and proceed, the 48-hour countdown begins.
Recovering Within the 48-Hour Window
If you uninstalled the app by mistake — or changed your mind — and it has been fewer than 48 hours, your data is still intact. To recover:
Reinstall the Archive app from the Shopify App Store.
Contact Archive Support immediately via the in-app chat and let us know the reinstall was to recover an accidentally deleted workspace.
Because your data is still in Archive's database during this window, the support team can reconnect your workspace to the reinstalled app — with all your content, campaigns, labels, views, and settings fully preserved.
🚨 Important: Do not wait. Once the 48-hour window has passed, the workspace is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through this process. Contact Archive Support as soon as possible after reinstalling.
What Happens After the 48-Hour Window
If the 48-hour window has passed and the deletion has already occurred, a reinstall will create a new, empty workspace. Your previous data is not restored automatically.
In this case, contact your Customer Success Manager to discuss billing and the best path forward for rebuilding your workspace.
Captured content may be partially recoverable by the Archive team in some cases, but user-generated data — including labels, views, magic fields, and collections — is extremely difficult to restore and cannot be guaranteed.
Removing Website Code Is Not the Same as Uninstalling the App
If you were previously using Archive's Shoppable UGC Feeds and were asked to remove the embed code from your website, that action has no effect on your Archive workspace or Shopify integration. Cleaning up your website code only removes the widget from your storefront — it does not uninstall the Archive app from Shopify.
Your Archive workspace, content, and settings remain fully intact when you remove embed code from your site. The only action that starts the deletion process is uninstalling the Archive app directly from your Shopify admin.
Migrating to a Standalone Archive Account
If you want to continue using Archive but no longer need the Shopify integration — for example, because Shoppable UGC Feeds is no longer part of your workflow — you do not need to uninstall the app to make that change.
Archive Support can migrate your account to a standalone workspace that is not tied to your Shopify store. Your content, campaigns, labels, and settings are preserved through the migration. You keep everything.
🚨 Important: Never uninstall the Archive app from Shopify without contacting Archive Support first. If you want to move off the Shopify integration, reach out and we will handle the migration safely — with no data loss and no 48-hour countdown.
To request a migration, contact Archive Support through the in-app chat.
What Data Is Lost After the Window Closes
Once the 48-hour window has passed and the deletion has run, the following are permanently removed:
All captured content (UGC, posts, reels, videos)
Campaigns and campaign settings
Labels and label assignments
Saved views and filters
Magic Fields and their configurations
Collections
All workspace settings and social account connections
Common Questions
I just uninstalled the app by accident. What should I do?
Reinstall the Archive app from the Shopify App Store immediately, then contact Archive Support via the in-app chat. As long as it has been fewer than 48 hours, your workspace data is still intact and we can recover it.
I no longer use Shoppable Feeds. Do I need to uninstall the Archive app?
No. You can continue using Archive without the Shoppable Feeds feature. If you want to move to a standalone account not tied to Shopify, contact Archive Support and we will migrate your account safely, with no data loss.
I removed the Shoppable UGC widget from my website. Did that delete my workspace?
No. Removing embed code from your website only affects your storefront — it has no impact on your Archive workspace or Shopify integration.
Does this affect workspaces that are not connected to Shopify?
No. This only applies to workspaces created through the Shopify app installation. Standalone Archive workspaces are not affected by Shopify app changes.