This week we are happy to release token-based push notifications with enhanced features like the
Control on group notifications
Accept iOS (using CallKit) & android calls directly from the notifications
Threaded message notifications and
Sending custom messages
What are push notifications and why use them?
In its simplest terms, a push notification is a short message or alert that is sent to anyone who has activated the app and has allowed the delivery of these notifications. You can receive these notifications if you have a laptop, an iPhone, an Android, or any other type of smartphone, and so can anyone to whom you want to deliver your business communications.
To provide more accessibility, the app does not have to be open at the time of the notification for the message to be visible. This allows you to reach a wide range of people by “pushing” your message to an entire group at the same time.
Push notifications are an excellent marketing tool for someone who has a mobile app because they allow you to engage with your users.
Advantages of token-based over topic-based push notifications
CometChat supports two versions of push notifications
Topic-based approach (V1)
Token-based approach (V2)
We strongly recommend using token-based approach (V2) for push notifications or migrate to V2, if your still using topic based approach (V1)
Support for push notification providers
We support push notifications with two providers
1. Firebase cloud messaging (FCM)
2. Apple push notification service (APNS)
You have an option to choose a push notification provider depending on your platform and the features you need as PushKit works only with APNS.
Steps to enable token-based push notifications V2
Visit app.cometchat.com
Go to extensions
Enable push notifications
Go to the Installed tab
Select push notifications settings
On the settings page,
Select v2 for token-based push notification
Choose your platform
Select your push notification provider (FCM/APNS)
Update the required keys/certificate for FCM/APNS
Once the push notification provider details are updated
Setup your notification title
Enable/ disable text message, call and media mesage notifications as required
Save the settings
Please go through the push notification documentation to implement in your application. We have provided integration steps and sample apps for different platforms like
Javascript
Android
iOS (using both FCM & APNS)
React Native
Ionic
On completing the steps mentioned and integrating code in your application. You will be able to receive push notifications seamlessly.
Support for push notifications
You may integrate using any CometChat UI Kit or SDKs on enabling push notification extension on CometChat dashboard.
Feature availability
Please note, Push notification is available with all CometChat plans
Sign in to your CometChat dashboard to check out these new features. New to CometChat? Try us out for FREE (no credit card required).
Harsha Patil
CometChat
