Notifications

Overview

The push notification feature enables the sending of notifications to Store App users when certain events occur, such as the availability of new claimable orders. These notifications will appear as pop-ups on the user's device.

This feature is built upon Google Firebase, and therefore, its functionality and limitations are tied to it. Currently, push notifications are supported on Mac and Windows computers, as well as Android devices.

For Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, etc), Push notifications are available since iOS 16 as an experimental feature.

The bellow steps were taken from this article : How to enable Safari push notifications on iPhone or iPad

  1. Go to Settings / Safari / Advanced / Experimental Features and activate the Push API (Step needed only for IOS versions under 17.0. For versions starting from 17.0, this feature is natively activated)

     

  2. Go to the store app on safari and add the store app to the home screen

     

  3. Open the store app from the new webapp on your home screen

     

  4. Uncheck / Check the notification again to be prompted with the Notification permission

     

  5. Now you will receive notifications as long as the webapp stays on the home page.

In order to utilize this feature, a compatible web browser must be used. You can refer to the list of compatible software at Push API - Web APIs | MDN .

It's important to note that users must manually set up their devices to receive push notifications. There is no way to override this policy. Users must grant permission for push notifications from the Store App, and this only needs to be done once per device.

Push notifications can be received on Android devices even if the web browser or Store App tab is closed. However, on Windows and Mac computers, it is mandatory to have the Store App webpage opened in order to receive push notifications.

The management of push notifications involves three main components: Notifier, Notification Push Manager (NPM), and the Store App. Push notifications serve as a medium for Notifier notifications, similar to emails, and are managed in a similar fashion. Users are associated with "groups of interest," referred to as subscriptionables. When an event occurs, Notifier generates notifications, which are then enhanced by NPM to create messages targeted at the appropriate audience (subscriptionables). Finally, the Store App interprets and handles these notifications. A script is required to construct the notification message. All users associated with the subscriptionable will receive the notifications.

It's important to note that there is no default notification for new claimable orders, and there is currently no way to define a default template for push notifications.

Notification experience

When users connect to their Store App, the Notification Push Manager (NPM) automatically registers them to their subscriptions. If users are not registered with the NPM, their accounts are created and they are automatically subscribed to all default subscriptionables.

For devices that have never been connected to the Store App before, a pop-up will appear, asking users if they allow the reception of push notifications from the Store App. It is mandatory for users to accept receiving push notifications. If users decline or wish to cancel the reception of push notifications, they must change the preferences of their web browser.

Please note the following:

  • The acceptance of push notifications is specific to each site. If users are using multiple Store Apps, each app must be granted permission to send push notifications.

  • Users can manage their subscriptions by accessing their preference webpage. All created subscriptions are visible, and users can add or remove themselves from these subscriptions.

  • It is not possible to define specific preferences per device. All devices associated with the user's account will receive the same notifications.

Notification generation and aggregation depend on the configuration settings.

  • For Windows and Mac users, it is necessary to have the Store App opened on a compatible device and web browser in order to receive push notifications.

  • Android users will receive push notifications even if the Store App is not opened or the browser tab is closed. However, this assumes that the user did not log out.

Display troubleshooting

Operating System may block push notifications (example on Windows 11 if App notifications are NOT allowed).
Please refer to Operating System documentation in case of non-displayed push notifications - process depends on Operating System, version, and devices.

For example on Windows 11:

  • Go to Windows Menu

  • Open App Settings and go to Notifications page

  • Activate App Notification

  • Activate Notifications of the web-browser and display them on Desktop NOT on Notification Center

  • Go back to Notifications page and go to Focus Assistant

  • Deactivate Focus Assistant.

Browsers may not display push notifications correctly

Chrome

  • Use use regular mode, and not icognito mode, to avoid any display issues.

  • Reset page notifications settings if encountering issues

Firefox

  • Push notifications must be authorized manually by clicking on the notifications icon and then on authorize

Push notification appearance depends on the web browser and operating system.
Some device may display push notification on their locked screen.
Sounds may be generated at push notification reception depending on Operating System / web-browser settings.

Push notifications content will be translated based on translation config of the Store app

Push notifications do NOT considered opening hours of store locations, or other properties like claiming allowance.

Push notifications will be send to devices for 15 days, except if users log out.