# Understanding Shopify's app approval & usage limit

When you install XFlow or subscribe to a paid plan, Shopify may ask you to approve both a **recurring subscription** and **usage charges**. 

These approvals are part of **Shopify's billing system** and are required before the app can begin charging your Shopify account. 

*Learn more about* [*Shopify app charges*](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/your-account/manage-billing/billing-charges/types-of-charges/third-party-charges/app-charges)

***

## What you'll see during approval

When approving your subscription, Shopify displays two types of charges:

### Subscription

This is your recurring app subscription — the fixed subscription fee you'll pay each billing cycle.

Your subscription charge is processed through Shopify Billing and is automatically added to your Shopify invoice.

<Hint type="info">
  Changing to a different plan requires approving a new subscription charge in Shopify. The new subscription replaces your previous one.
</Hint>

### App spending limit

Apps with usage-based billing can set an app spending limit.

The spending limit is the **maximum amount** Shopify allows the app to charge for usage during a billing cycle. It helps prevent usage charges from exceeding the approved amount.

Once the approved limit is reached, Shopify won't allow additional usage charges until:

* The next billing cycle begins, or
* The merchant approves a higher spending limit.

*You can update your app spending limit at any time by following Shopify's guide:* [*Set new app spending limits for usage charges.*](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/apps/managing-apps#increase-app-spending-limits)

<Hint type="info">
  The app spending limit is not an upfront charge. It is only the maximum amount Shopify authorizes for usage-based billing. Your actual charges depend on your app usage during the billing period.
</Hint>

![](https://docs-assets.foxecom.app/xflow-app/a9c4fbbc-f389-44eb-a39b-54cbf4d4dcaf.jpg)

## How fees appear on your Shopify invoice

All XFlow charges are processed through **Shopify Billing**. XFlow never charges your payment method directly.

<Stepper>
  <Step title="XFlow recovers an order">
    When XFlow recovers an order, the recovered revenue is added to your billable recovered revenue for the current billing period.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Your plan allowance is exceeded">
    If your billable recovered revenue exceeds the amount included in your plan, Shopify calculates usage charges based on the additional billable amount.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Charges appear on your Shopify invoice">
    Your subscription fee and any usage charges are added to your Shopify invoice. Usage charges include a description of the billable period or usage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Shopify spending limit applies">
    Shopify will never charge more than your approved **App spending limit**. If the limit is reached, no additional usage charges are created until the next billing cycle or until you approve a higher limit.
  </Step>
</Stepper>

## FAQs

**Why was I charged even though I didn’t use XFlow?**<br />If your free trial has ended and you haven’t cancelled your subscription, Shopify automatically starts the recurring subscription for the plan you selected when approving the app charges.<br />The monthly subscription fee applies whether or not you actively use XFlow during the billing period. This is standard for apps billed through Shopify.<br />To avoid future charges, cancel your subscription or uninstall XFlow before the next billing cycle.

**Where can I view my XFlow charges?**<br />You can review your XFlow subscription, usage fees, and billing history in: **Shopify Admin → Settings → Billing**

**Will uninstalling XFlow stop all future charges?**<br />Uninstalling XFlow stops future monthly subscription fees and usage fees.<br />However, charges generated before the app was uninstalled may still appear on your next Shopify invoice.

***

## Related articles

<PageLink href="https://docs.foxecom.com/xflow-app/account-and-billing/plans-and-pricing">
  Plans & Pricing
</PageLink>

<PageLink href="https://docs.foxecom.com/xflow-app/account-and-billing/how-xflow-tracks-and-attributes-recovered-revenue">
  How XFlow tracks and attributes recovered revenue
</PageLink>

<PageLink href="https://docs.foxecom.com/xflow-app/account-and-billing/how-usage-fees-are-calculated">
  How usage fees are calculated
</PageLink>