push-notification-best-practices

# Push Notification Best Practices

## Overview

Comprehensive guide for implementing and troubleshooting push notifications in mobile applications. Covers iOS (APNS), Android (FCM), React Native, Expo, and Flutter platforms with platform-specific configurations, token management, message handling, and deep linking patterns.

## Platform Support Matrix

| Platform | Offline Push | Notification Bar | Click Navigation | In-App Toast | Background Handler |
|----------|--------------|------------------|------------------|--------------|-------------------|
| iOS | APNS | System | Deep Link | Custom | data-only payload |
| Android | FCM | System | Intent | Custom | data-only payload |
| React Native | APNS/FCM | System | React Navigation | Custom | setBackgroundMessageHandler |
| Expo | Expo Push | System | Linking | Custom | TaskManager |
| Flutter | APNS/FCM | System | Navigator | Custom | onBackgroundMessage |

## Decision Trees

### Permission Request Timing

**When to request notification permission?**

```
User installing app
        |
        v
  [First launch?] ──Yes──> [Show value proposition first]
        |                          |
        No                         v
        |                  [User action triggers need?]
        v                          |
  [Already granted?]              Yes
        |                          |
       Yes                         v
        |                  [Request permission] ──> 70-80% acceptance rate
        v
  [Notifications ready]
```

| Timing | Acceptance Rate | Use Case |
|--------|-----------------|----------|
| Immediate (app launch) | 15-20% | Low engagement apps |
| After onboarding | 40-50% | Standard apps |
| User-initiated action | 70-80% | High engagement apps |

**Recommendation:** Request after explaining value or when user enables a related feature.

### Silent vs Visible Notification

**Which payload type should I use?**

```
[What's the purpose?]
        |
        +──> Time-sensitive user alert ──