12 Easy Steps to Master Push Notifications on iOS

Introduction

iOS developers like the idea of customers continually utilizing their fantastic app. Customers will,
however, sometimes need to exit the application and do other tasks. Even though consumers aren’t
constantly using an app, push notifications enable developers to reach out to them and do minor
jobs.

Although iOS offers various push notification options, it may be tough to determine which ones to
utilize for your particular app. Although each feature has excellent documentation, attempting to
get your hands on all accessible and helpful may be daunting. Instead, think about how any of these
capabilities could integrate into your application.

What are push notifications, and how do they
work?

They’re notifications delivered to the application via the Apple Push Notification service (APNs),
even though the application isn’t open or the device is sleeping.

What may push notifications be used for?

• Display an alert, a brief text message that attracts attention to anything fresh in the app.

• Alert the user with a sound.

• Place a banner on the app’s logo to alert users about new features.

• Among other things, offer activities that the user may perform without having to launch the
  program.

Keep in mind that both the App Store and the Play Store have push alert policies. So a good position
is to find a programmer who can help you avoid having the application denied when you apply it to
the app stores if you grasp the iOS and Android device notification standards and basic best
business practices for push notifications.

To master iOS push notifications, follow these
12 steps:

1. 1. Push Notifications Shouldn’t Be Paid For

   Push notification monetization is forbidden under the App Store rules. So both directly and
   indirectly, commercialization is affected by this.

   One may anticipate difficulties if you put ads in the alerts or utilize notifications for
   blatant marketing objectives. For example, if you want a mobile app to be authorized for
   download on the App Store, one can’t use this channel for advertising a future product
   launch if it’s a Business – to – consumer application.

2. 2. Add Push Notification Frequency
   Restriction Options

   Allow users to limit how many push notifications and alarms they get from iOS apps, so they
   don’t get much more than they need in a particular period.

   One should allow the user to choose the period and the most significant frequency of
   notifications they want to get within that time frame. This gives users more choice over the
   regularity of iOS notifications, reducing the likelihood that they’ll uninstall their app
   because it is so “bothersome.”

3. 3. Push Notifications Should Not Be
   Used To Send Personal Information

   The App Store forbids transmitting personal or sensitive information through iPhone push
   notifications. Anybody in the area may access critical information if the warning is visible
   once shown on the display screen.

4. 4. Enable Customers To Choose When They
   Want To Get Alerts And For How Long

   People should be able to choose a particular time for receiving notifications and alerts.
   Also, deal with video content since most people don’t want to be distracted when watching or
   listening to video and music. You may opt to stop automatic push notifications depending on
   the type of the application and whether customers are expected to be broadcasting.

5. 5. Don’t Presume That Customers Would
   Like To See Push Notifications

   “Push notifications need not be needed for the application to function,” according to the App
   Store rules, and you may not make push notifications the usual function. Instead, consumers
   should be informed whether they want to get these notifications and if they want to sign up.

   Producers will include a pop-up asking whether the client wants to accept push notifications.
   If the user has selected “Yes,” they will be directed to the settings page, where they may
   adjust the time, rate, and other parameters. If the user chooses “Not Now,” the programmer
   should design the pop-up to display regularly.

6. 6. Provide A Button That Says “Silence All.”
   

   Every push notification should be able to be silenced and stopped with a single movement. One
   should preferably provide a few choices, such as:

   • 1 hour of silence

   • 4 hrs of silence

   • 24 Hours of Silence

   • Unlimited silence

7. 7. Create Default Configuration Based
   On Real-World User Data

   Designers should utilize the information collected from users to help them choose the default
   options for iOS push notifications and alarms.

8. 8. Keep It Simple To Change Your Push
   Notification Preferences

   These settings and controls for app alerts are useless if consumers can’t get to them when
   they need them.

   Customers should be able to access the settings section through a button or a link quickly.
   The initial notification or even the first page that displays when you accept the message
   creates a “hallway” to the preferences. Users may simply fix any issues that occur with the
   warning’s regularity or timeliness this way.

9. 9. Use Push Notifications That Aren’t Audible
   

   Quiet push notifications may bring your app up on the side to conduct certain activities.

   This can be highly efficient with the correct web server. The app won’t have to request data
   regularly. When new data becomes available, you may send it a quiet push notice.

10. 10. Operate With Implementable Notifications
    

    Customized buttons may be added to the notice itself with actionable notifications. You may
    have seen this on email alerts or Tweets that allow you to immediately “comment” or
    “favorite.”

    Once users subscribe for alerts, an app may use subcategories to create actionable
    notifications. Every notification class may have a few predefined custom actions.

11. 11. Badges Should Not Be Used Excessively
    

    Keep your badges to a minimum. Many people train themselves to ignore the red counts on their
    screens, while others choose to remove them regularly. If the app’s unopened count continues
    to rise, but the client seems unconcerned, they may ultimately deactivate notifications or,
    most probably, delete the app altogether.

12. 12. Photos Should Be Attached

    Alerts may also contain attachments, which is a recent addition. The most frequent example is
    a photograph, although music and video may also be used. Besides an alert, they show as
    thumbnails. Users may access the entire picture or listen to or watch audio or video assets
    when they enlarge the warning.

    This is an effective method to make your alerts shine out by enabling consumers to grasp the
    content much more quickly.

Final Thoughts

The majority of applications do not take advantage of all of the notification options. For various
types of alerts, some people utilize different functionalities. Examine several feature subsets to
discover the optimal blend and performance for your consumers.