Glossary
Push notification
Also called: Push alert, Web push
A push notification is a message that an app or website sends to your device through the operating system's or browser's push service, so it can appear even when the app isn't open.
Reviewed
How a push notification reaches you
- 1
You grant permission
The app or site asks to send notifications. If you allow it, your device registers with its push service and hands the app a token — an address for your device.
- 2
Something happens
Someone messages you, say. The app's server sends a short payload to the push service for your token: Firebase Cloud Messaging for Android, Apple's push service for iPhones, or the browser vendor's service for web push.
- 3
The push service delivers it
Your device keeps one efficient connection to its push service, so hundreds of apps don't each need their own. The notification arrives even when the app is closed.
- 4
Your device shows it
The operating system or browser decides how: banner, lock screen, sound or silent — shaped by your settings.
The push service only carries the message; the app decides what goes in it. Careful apps keep sensitive text out of the payload, and web push payloads are encrypted so that only the receiving browser can read them.
Push vs in-app vs email
| Channel | Reaches you when | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Push | The app is closed | Time-sensitive things: messages, calls, a mention |
| In-app | You open the app | Likes, follows and other things that can wait |
| You check your inbox | Account security, receipts, digests |
- Push
- Reaches you when:The app is closed
- Best for:Time-sensitive things: messages, calls, a mention
- In-app
- Reaches you when:You open the app
- Best for:Likes, follows and other things that can wait
- Reaches you when:You check your inbox
- Best for:Account security, receipts, digests
Getting fewer, better notifications
Notifications are one of the main levers apps use to drive engagement, so defaults tend to be generous. Rather than switching everything off and missing the one message that matters, turn off categories: keep messages and calls, mute likes and suggestions.
On Asyncbit
Asyncbit sends push notifications on Android and on the web (web push in your browser); there is no iOS app. You can switch categories on or off individually — messages, calls, likes, comments, follows, mentions, gamification, community and new content — or use a master switch. Message notifications stay generic (“New message”), so the text doesn't appear on your lock screen. Inside the app, notifications are grouped by category. See messaging for how chats and alerts fit together.
See it for yourself
Asyncbit is free, with no paid tier and no ads. Everything described here is available from the first day.
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Related Asyncbit features
Where this comes up
- GuideHow to keep a group chat useful instead of mutedHow to stop a group chat from turning into noise: give it one job, split side topics, set light house rules, and make decisions that don't get buried.
- GuideEnd-to-end encryption vs encryption at rest: who can actually read your messagesWhat end-to-end encryption, encryption at rest and TLS each protect, who can read your messages under each, and the trade-offs that decide which an app uses.