Augmented reality (AR) apps overlay computer-generated images or information onto the real-world environment, creating an interactive blended experience. AR is used across many industries, including gaming, navigation, education, and especially retail.
Shopify is launching a new feature named the AR tool. This tool is integrated with a Shopify store that’s helping to enhance the visibility of the products via overlay images, 3D image models, and videos of the products. Users can view those products on desktops and mobile devices. These images and videos can be added directly to the product pages or can be used by meta fields.
Notable brands that use Shopify AR include Allbirds, Pure Cycles, Arthaus, and Instant Pot.
Example:
Pure Cycles uses 360 views of bikes in AR, so customers can view their bikes from every angle and even place them in their real-world space.
Arhaus (furniture) uses AR for room visualization, so shoppers can virtually “place” furniture in their rooms.
Product images are used to display products across all Shopify channels, such as the online store and Shopify pos. File types PNG and JPG are used as product images. Other supported formats are PSD, TIFF, BMP, GIF, SVG, HEIC, and WebP. Images of GIF and WebP can be used to display animated versions. Those animated images are treated like a 3D model.
3D models are digital representations of objects in three dimensions, allowing customers to view products from every angle. Shoppers can explore the product’s size, scale, proposition, and finer details that help to make more confident and informed purchase decisions.
3D model files must meet the following requirements before you add them to your Shopify online store.
- File size must support up to 500 MB
- File must support those formats like: GLB, USDZ
- The file should be optimized.
- Objects must be accurately scaled with correct dimensions to represent the real product
- The file should be tested for both the desktop and mobile screens
| Model Size | Optimization | Conversion |
| Below 15 MB | The file is kept in its original form. No optimization is applied to geometry or materials, ensuring the model’s visual details remain unchanged. | Automatically converted into.USDZ and GLB formats for full compatibility with both Android and iOS devices. |
| Above 15 MB | The model is optimized to improve loading and performance. Geometry and textures are adjusted while maintaining the overall appearance and quality of the original asset. | Automatically converted into.USDZ and .GLB formats for full compatibility with both Android and iOS devices. |
Those Shopify themes are supported for 3D models or videos like Craft, Crave, Dawn, sense, and all Horizon themes.
I am sharing some Shopify apps that are used for AR features:
Advantages of AR and 3D Shopping
- Customer engagement and experiential retail: Interactive 3D and AR experiences, customers can engage more with the product page for a longer period, which helps to increase sales like during the journey. The customer bought the Starbucks coffee and knows the journey of coffee beans with the help ofa 3D version Customer will love the process of the bean transforming into the Starbucks coffee.
- Enhanced Product Visualization: Customers can see the products from every angle.
- Sales and conversion lifts: AR can boost the sales of the store. Customers can use the virtual try-on feature, which helps them make faster purchase decisions and can improve overall revenue.
- Reduced Product Returns: When customers can evaluate the product from every angle, it helps reduce the number of product returns.
- Virtual fitting rooms: Customers can see the true height and width of a table using a 3D model.
- Seamless Mobile Shopping Experience: When a shopper taps the AR button, they can instantly preview the product in their own space.
Disadvantages:
- Support Limited File Format: Shopify only supports GLB and USDZ file formats for 3D/AR experiences.
- Limitation on File Size: Shopify allows a maximum file size of up to 500 MB for 3D/AR files.
- Device Compatibility Issue: Older devices may not support AR/3D features. Some customers use older phone models, and these devices often don’t support AR or 3D functionality.
- Additional Work Required for Product Setup: Extra effort is required to test and optimize 3D/AR files across multiple devices and browsers.
- Limited Customization for Product Page: Shopify’s built-in AR viewer is not fully customizable.
- Increase Product Cost: Creating 3D models usually requires designers or specialized tools, which can be costly for small Shopify businesses.
Conclusion:
Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D shopping are transforming the online shopping experience by allowing customers to explore products from every angle and even visualize how they look in their own space. This immersive interaction helps shoppers make confident purchase decisions, ultimately increasing conversions and boosting overall sales revenue.
However, adopting AR and 3D features also comes with challenges like device compatibility issues, file size limits, and strict file format requirements. These technical barriers can affect how efficiently your models load and how smoothly your customers can experience the product.
This is where Startbit IT Solutions becomes your trusted technology partner.
We provide complete support in implementing AR and 3D shopping – from optimizing 3D assets and ensuring perfect compatibility across Android and iOS devices, to integrating AR experiences seamlessly into your Shopify store. Our team makes sure your online store is modern, fast, and future-ready, helping you deliver a standout shopping experience that drives real business growth.
With Startbit IT Solutions, you don’t just enable AR – you unlock a smarter, more engaging eCommerce experience designed for higher sales and long-term success.