Having push notifications enabled on your phone or device simply means allowing apps and services to send you alerts and updates even when you are not actively using the app. Push notifications allow apps to notify you about new messages, events, deals, breaking news stories, and more in real-time.
How Do Push Notifications Work?
Push notifications work by using a persistent connection between an app on your device and the app’s server. Here is a quick overview of how push notifications get delivered:
- When you install an app, it asks your permission to send push notifications. If you agree, it gets a unique push token from the operating system of your device.
- The app sends this push token to its server to register your device. This links your device to the app server.
- When the app server has an update for you, it sends a notification payload to the push notification gateway of the operating system (like Apple or Google).
- The gateway uses the push token to identify your device and route the notification to your device.
- The operating system receives the notification payload and triggers an alert on your device. This displays the push notification to you.
So in summary, with push enabled, apps can send notifications remotely to your device using a persistent connection to their server. The operating system handles the final delivery to your device.
Why Are Push Notifications Useful?
Here are some of the key benefits of enabling push notifications:
- Timely alerts and updates – Get notified about new messages, emails, deals, events, and other updates as they occur in real-time rather than having to manually check the app.
- Re-engagement – Push reminders can prompt you to re-open an app you haven’t used in a while.
- Convenience – Updates right on your home screen keeps you informed without having to constantly check apps.
- Customization – You can choose to enable notifications for certain apps and disable for others.
- Rich media – Push can include images, videos, gifs, and expanded text to convey more information.
Overall, push notifications deliver timely, convenient, and relevant updates from apps you care about directly to your device. They keep you in the loop while also reducing the need to constantly check and open apps.
Common Types of Push Notifications
Apps leverage push notifications in diverse ways. Some common notification types include:
- New messages – Chat, dating, social apps send alerts for new messages or comments.
- Promotional offers – Retailers send alerts on sales, coupons, or product updates.
- Appointment reminders – Calendars, doctor apps send appointment reminders.
- News alerts – News apps send breaking news notifications.
- Sports updates – Get score updates from your favorite teams.
- Task reminders – Productivity apps remind you about upcoming tasks.
- Check-in prompts – Rideshare or delivery apps request check-ins upon arrival.
- Activity notifications – Social media apps alert you when people interact with your content.
Apps leverage push notifications in many diverse ways to keep users informed, engaged, and connected. The notifications are context-specific based on the purpose of the app.
How to Manage Push Notification Settings
Since enabling push provides apps permission to send you notifications, it’s important to manage your settings to ensure notifications are relevant and not overwhelming. Here are some tips:
- Carefully check notification settings when installing new apps. Disable types you don’t need.
- Configure apps to only get notifications that are useful for you.
- Disable notifications for low priority apps completely.
- Take advantage of notification settings like disabling sounds and vibrations.
- Use ‘do not disturb’ settings to pause notifications during certain times.
- Adjust notification frequency and volume on operating system settings.
- Delete apps that send too many irrelevant or annoying notifications.
Getting useful alerts while avoiding notification overload may require checking settings periodically as app needs change. Take advantage of flexibility in notification settings for each app and device to achieve the right balance.
Best Practices for Apps Sending Notifications
For apps leveraging push notifications, following some best practices can help ensure an effective strategy that users value:
- Always ask for user permission before enabling push notifications.
- Allow granular control over types of notifications.
- Provide valeurather than becoming a nuisance.
- Keep frequency reasonable to avoid overwhelming users.
- Give users visibility into notification settings.
- Provide options to easily disable notifications.
- Customize based on user preferences and behavior.
- Keep notifications relevant and in context.
- Avoid using notifications for promotional spam.
Developing a notification approach tailored to actual user needs and preferences is important for driving ongoing re-engagement without annoyance.
Conclusion
Enabling push notifications allows apps to send timely updates and alerts to your device even when you are not directly using the app. Notifications keep you informed on messages, deals, events, and other changes you care about in real-time. But overload can become annoying, so leveraging notification settings to find the right balance is important. Both users and apps benefit when notifications provide relevant value rather than unwanted spam.