Plan push notifications as a complete journey: a permitted event generates a message, the device may receive it, and the user opens an authorised destination. Keep important work visible inside the app even when notifications are disabled or delayed. A provider accepting a message does not prove that a person saw it or completed the task.
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Choose the events worth interrupting someone for
Separate security notices, time-sensitive operational updates and optional engagement messages. Define the audience, purpose and expiry for each event. A delivery update that arrives after the order is complete should not invite the user to act on an obsolete state.
Explain the benefit before requesting permission in a relevant context. Android's notification permission guidance documents the runtime permission for non-exempt notifications on Android 13 and later. Check platform behaviour against the app's actual supported versions.
Specify a notification lifecycle
| Stage | Product decision | Failure to test |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Which event and user qualify? | Wrong account or duplicate event |
| Preference | Is this message category enabled? | Permission or preference withdrawn |
| Dispatch | When does the message expire? | Delayed queue sends stale information |
| Device receipt | What information appears on screen? | Sensitive preview on a shared device |
| Open | Which destination and account are required? | Expired session or removed record |
| Completion | What confirms the task was done? | Open counted as successful action |
Record technical delivery states separately from product outcomes. Avoid reporting a provider acknowledgement as a read receipt where the platform does not establish that fact.
Make opening the message safe
A hypothetical approval app may send an update about a pending request. Opening it should retrieve the current record, check access and show whether approval is still available. The notification itself must not grant permission or freeze an old decision as current.
For multiple accounts on one device, define which account receives the event and what happens when another account is active. Remove obsolete device associations on sign-out according to the access design. Verify that one user's updates cannot appear in another user's session.
Keep a useful fallback
Provide an in-app task list or notification history for important events. Choose retry and escalation rules from the business deadline rather than assuming push is guaranteed. If an additional channel is needed, define its permission, content and duplicate-handling rules separately.
Measure useful completion and unwanted-message feedback alongside opens. A growing send count can mean more noise rather than a better product.
Push notification questions
Should permission be requested on the first screen?
Choose the point where users understand the benefit and can make an informed choice. Include the denied-permission path in the design.
Can notifications replace an in-app inbox?
For important persistent work, usually not. Users need an authoritative place to inspect current tasks independently of delivery.
Connect the message destination to the deep-link acceptance plan. Discuss events and fallback requirements with Drema's mobile app team.
This article explains what to build, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm against the current official text before relying on it.
