---
title: "Switch to STOQ from another app"
description: "Move from another preorder or back in stock app to STOQ without losing your waitlist or downtime."
url: https://help.stoqapp.com/general/switch-to-stoq/
product: "General"
section: "Setup and themes"
last_updated: 2026-10-28
---

# Switch to STOQ from another app

> Move from another preorder or back in stock app to STOQ without losing your waitlist or downtime.

STOQ handles both back in stock alerts and preorders in one app, so you can replace a separate preorder or waitlist app with it. You can run both apps side by side during the switch, then import your existing signups so alerts continue uninterrupted.

## Before you begin

- You need **admin access** to your Shopify store.
- Export your data from your current app first (usually a CSV).
- STOQ has a free plan and free trials on paid plans, so you can test before committing.
- You don't have to uninstall the old app immediately. Keep both for a few days to confirm STOQ works.

## Make the switch

1. **Install STOQ**

   Install STOQ from the [Shopify App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/). It opens in your Shopify admin after installing.

2. **Choose a plan**

   In STOQ, open the **Plans** page, review the options (all plans include both back in stock alerts and preorders with 0% transaction fees), and subscribe to the one you want. Paid plans include a free trial.

3. **Enable the app embed**

   From the Home onboarding checklist, enable the STOQ app embed on your live theme so the buttons appear. See [Enable STOQ on your theme](https://help.stoqapp.com/general/enable-stoq-on-your-theme/). If you're running both apps, disable the old app's embed to avoid duplicate buttons.

4. **Complete onboarding**

   Follow the Home onboarding checklist to set up the "Notify me" button, your branding, and a test alert. It covers both products.

5. **Import your signups**

   Export your waitlist from the old app as a CSV. In STOQ, open **Back in stock alerts** from the left menu, go to **Settings** > **Integrations**, and expand the **Import data** card. STOQ walks you through mapping your CSV columns. See [Import a waitlist](https://help.stoqapp.com/back-in-stock/import-waitlist/).

6. **Disable the old app**

   Once STOQ is confirmed working and your data is imported, uninstall the old app (or disable its embed) from **Settings** > **Apps and sales channels** in Shopify. Check the STOQ button still appears on your storefront.

## What transfers and what doesn't

| Transfers | Doesn't transfer |
|---|---|
| Waitlist signups (via CSV import) | Past notification logs and analytics from the old app |
| Your product catalog (it's Shopify's, not the app's) | Preorder selling plans from the old app (they're app-specific, so recreate offers in STOQ) |

## Troubleshooting

### Duplicate 'Notify me' buttons appear

Both apps' widgets are active. Disable or uninstall the old app, or turn off its theme embed. Only one back in stock widget should be live at a time.

### The STOQ button doesn't appear after enabling the embed

Confirm the old app's widget is off and STOQ's app embed is toggled on in **Online Store** > **Themes** > **Customize** > **App embeds**. See [Enable STOQ on your theme](https://help.stoqapp.com/general/enable-stoq-on-your-theme/).

### Imported signups don't appear yet

Imports process in the background. Wait a few minutes and refresh. Large files take longer.

### The old app's preorder selling plans still show on products

Selling plans are app-specific. Remove the old app's selling plans from the product in Shopify, then attach STOQ's through a STOQ preorder offer.

## FAQ

### Can I run STOQ alongside my current app?

Yes. Set STOQ up while the old app is still active, and keep both for a few days. Just make sure only one widget is live on the storefront to avoid duplicate buttons.

### Will I lose my signups?

No, as long as you export them from the old app and import the CSV into STOQ before uninstalling.

### Does STOQ charge transaction fees?

No. All plans have 0% transaction fees.

## Related guides

- [Import a waitlist](https://help.stoqapp.com/back-in-stock/import-waitlist/): Prepare and upload your CSV of existing signups.
- [Enable STOQ on your theme](https://help.stoqapp.com/general/enable-stoq-on-your-theme/): Turn on the app embed on your live theme.
- [Switch to STOQ for back in stock](https://help.stoqapp.com/back-in-stock/switch-to-stoq-for-back-in-stock/): The back-in-stock-specific migration details.
- [Test your STOQ setup](https://help.stoqapp.com/general/test-your-stoq-setup/): Confirm everything works end to end.