Hi,
We are using Firebase to configure APNs (Apple Push Notification Service) for sending push notifications. During local testing, the push notifications are received properly when the app is in the foreground or background. After TestFlight testing and passing review, we found that when the app is installed using the developer's Apple ID, push notifications are received correctly whether the app is in the foreground or background.
However, when the app is provided to other testers (using non-developer Apple IDs), notifications are only received when the app is in the foreground, and they are not triggered when the app is in the background or inactive state.
Request for Assistance:
Why, after TestFlight testing and passing review, does the app receive push notifications properly in the background when installed using the developer's Apple ID, but on other testers' devices, notifications are not received when the app is in the background?
Are there any differences in Apple ID types or device configurations (developer ID vs. regular tester ID) that could affect the behavior of push notifications in the background mode?
Do we need to apply any additional settings or permissions, particularly for handling background push notifications?
Are there any iOS version or device-specific limitations that could impact the proper delivery of background push notifications?
Additional Information:
The app is properly configured for APNs, and push notifications are being sent via Firebase.
In the developer's Apple ID test environment, the app receives push notifications properly whether it is in the foreground or background.
On other testers' devices, push notifications are only received when the app is in the foreground, and they are not received when the app is in the background.
All test devices have been verified to have notification permissions enabled, and Firebase configuration is correct.
Notifications
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I am trying to add voip call functionality to my app.
It works as expected while the app is in the foreground. But in the background it does not.
I have registered the app as requiring background voip permissions.
My implementation doesn't fit into one of these posts, so here is a gist:
https://gist.github.com/BrentMifsud/4be43c022c1279f04ecb56250a86b3f1
Only iOS devices stop receiving notifications after a few days of the app being installed. To resolve this, you need to reinstall the app again.
I'm using Firebase to send messages.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
Hello, I'm using 'App Store Server Notifications V2'.
I have a question about 'CONSUMPTION_REQUEST' notification in 'notificationType'.
I was wondering if there would be any impact on refunds if I received this notification and didn't respond. (Always refund etc..)
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
Tags:
App Store
In-App Purchase
App Store Server Notifications
Version: iOS 18.1 and later (works as expected on iOS 18.0 and earlier)
Area: SpringBoard / Notification Center / App Icon Rendering
Description: When changing the app's alternate icon using UIApplication.setAlternateIconName(_:completionHandler:), the icon is updated correctly on the Home Screen and App Switcher. However, in Notification Center, the old app icon is still shown for notifications, even after the change has completed. This issue only occurs on iOS 18.1 and later. In iOS 18.0 and earlier, Notification Center correctly reflects the updated icon.
- Steps to reproduce:
Create an iOS app with alternate app icons configured in the Info.plist.
Use UIApplication.shared.setAlternateIconName("IconName") to change the icon at runtime.
Send a notification.
Pull down Notification Center and observe the icon shown beside the notification.
- Expected Behavior:
Notification Center should reflect the updated (alternate) app icon immediately after the change.
- Actual Behavior:
Notification Center continues to display the old (primary) app icon. The new icon appears correctly on the Home Screen and App Switcher. Restarting the device does cause Notification Center to update and reflect the correct icon, which suggests a cache or refresh issue in SpringBoard or Notification Center.
- Notes:
Issue introduced in iOS 18.1; not present in 18.0.
Reproduces on both physical devices and simulators.
Occurs with both scheduled local notifications and remote notifications.
Restarting the device updates the Notification Center icon, but this is not a viable user-facing workaround.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
Tags:
Swift
APNS
User Notifications
Notification Center
We are facing an issue: push notifications are not being received. We are using the Marketing Cloud SDK for push notifications.
On install, the app correctly registers for push notifications. We pass the required information to Marketing Cloud — for example, contact key, token, etc. Marketing Cloud also confirms that the configuration is set up, and we have tried sending push notifications with proper delivery settings.
The issue is that after some time, the device gets automatically opted out in the Marketing Cloud portal. When we consulted their team, they said this is caused by the “DeviceTokenNotForTopic” error received from APNs. I have verified the certificates and bundle ID from my end — everything looks correct.
Device: iPhone 15, iPhone 17
iOS: 18.7.2, 26.1
everytime i get my devicetoken from mdm certification,send to apns (api.push.apple.com 443),always return 400,please help me confirm if the devicetoken is expired or somethine wrong else
here is the request and response
device_token:79c3aec2b2c2b672c3b756c3910977c3a936c3aae280985ac380e280a6091cc2bfc3a132192b14c392c2be7a2ee280a229c3aa
push_magic:AAFDAB81-0E63-4B72-A60A-1F8085325870
status_code: 400
headers: {'apns-id': '14BDD477-7D76-A2FB-582C-140BBD95A420'} resp: {'reason': 'BadDeviceToken'}
We are implementing a camera intercom calling feature using VoIP Push notifications (PushKit) and LiveCommunicationKit (iOS 17.4+). The app works correctly when running in foreground or background, but fails when the app is completely terminated (killed by user or system). After accepting the call from the system call UI, the app launches but gets stuck on the launch screen and cannot navigate to our custom intercom interface.
Environment
iOS Version: iOS 17.4+ (testing on latest iOS versions)
Xcode Version: Latest version
Device: iPhone (tested on multiple devices)
Programming Languages: Objective-C + Swift (mixed project)
Frameworks Used: PushKit, LiveCommunicationKit (iOS 17.4+)
App State When Issue Occurs: Completely terminated/killed
Problem Description
Expected vs Actual Behavior
App State Behavior
Foreground ✅ VoIP push → System call UI → User accepts → Navigate to intercom → Works
Background ✅ VoIP push → System call UI → User accepts → Navigate to intercom → Works
Terminated ❌ VoIP push → System call UI → User accepts → App launches but stuck on splash screen → Cannot navigate
Root Issues
When app is terminated and user accepts the call:
Data Loss: pendingNotificationData stored in memory is lost when app is killed and relaunched
Timing Issue: conversationManager(_:perform:) delegate method is called before homeViewController is initialized
Lifecycle Confusion: App initialization sequence when launched from terminated state via VoIP push is unclear
Code Flow
VoIP Push Received (app terminated):
func pushRegistry(_ registry: PKPushRegistry,
didReceiveIncomingPushWith payload: PKPushPayload,
for type: PKPushType,
completion: @escaping () -> Void) {
let notificationDict = NotificationDataDecode.dataDecode(payloadDict) as? [AnyHashable: Any]
let isAppActive = UIApplication.shared.applicationState == .active
// Store in memory (PROBLEM: lost when app is killed)
pendingNotificationData = isAppActive ? nil : notificationDict
if !isAppActive {
// Report to LCK
try await conversationManager.reportNewIncomingConversation(uuid: uuid, update: update)
}
completion()
}
User Accepts Call:
func conversationManager(_ manager: ConversationManager, perform action: ConversationAction) {
if let joinAction = action as? JoinConversationAction {
// PROBLEM: pendingNotificationData is nil (lost)
// PROBLEM: homeViewController might not be initialized yet
if let pendingData = pendingNotificationData {
ModelManager.share().homeViewController.gotoCallNotificationView(pendingData)
}
joinAction.fulfill(dateConnected: Date())
}
}
Note: When user taps "Accept" on system UI, LiveCommunicationKit calls conversationManager(_:perform:) delegate method, NOT a manual acceptCall method.
Questions for Apple Support
App Lifecycle: When VoIP push is received and app is terminated, what is the exact lifecycle? Does app launch in background first, then transition to foreground when user accepts? What is the timing of application:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: vs pushRegistry:didReceiveIncomingPushWith: vs conversationManager(_:perform:)?
State Persistence: What is the recommended way to persist VoIP push data when app is terminated? Should we use UserDefaults, NSKeyedArchiver, or another mechanism? Is there a recommended pattern for this scenario?
Initialization Timing: When conversationManager(_:perform:) is called with JoinConversationAction after app launch from terminated state, what is the timing relative to app initialization? Is homeViewController guaranteed to be ready, or should we implement a waiting/retry mechanism?
Navigation Pattern: What is the recommended way to navigate to a specific view controller when app is launched from terminated state? Should we:
Handle it in application:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: with launch options?
Handle it in conversationManager(_:perform:) delegate method?
Use a notification/observer pattern to wait for initialization?
Completion Handler: In pushRegistry:didReceiveIncomingPushWith, we call completion() immediately after starting async reportNewIncomingConversation task. Is this correct, or should we wait for the task to complete when app is terminated?
Best Practices: Is there a recommended pattern or sample code for integrating LiveCommunicationKit with VoIP push when app is terminated? What are the best practices for handling app state persistence and navigation in this scenario?
Attempted Solutions
Storing pendingNotificationData in memory → Failed: Data lost when app is killed
Checking UIApplication.shared.applicationState → Failed: Doesn't reflect true state during launch
Calling gotoCallNotificationView in conversationManager(_:perform:) → Failed: homeViewController not ready
Additional Information
Singleton pattern: LCKCallManagerSwift, ModelManager
homeViewController accessed via ModelManager.share().homeViewController
Mixed Objective-C and Swift architecture
conversationManager(_:perform:) is called synchronously and must call joinAction.fulfill() or joinAction.fail()
Requested Help
We need guidance on:
Correct app lifecycle handling when VoIP push is received in terminated state
How to persist VoIP push data across app launches
How to ensure app initialization is complete before navigating
Best practices for integrating LiveCommunicationKit with VoIP push when app is terminated
Thank you for your assistance!
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
After my membership was renewed (auto-payment was rejected, and my account was manually paid), my app stopped receiving notifications I thought was an invalidation by membership but after some days, my app kept not receiving notifications.
I just recreated a new key for my app, (I hope it solves the problem)
My question is, do I need to make another change to my account to reenable services?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
We are currently planning the development of an iOS healthcare application that will require the use of Critical Alerts. I understand that these notifications bypass Do Not Disturb and Silent mode, and therefore require special entitlement from Apple.
We understand that Critical Alerts require a special entitlement from Apple. Could you please clarify:
Do we need to request and obtain Apple’s approval for Critical Alerts before we begin development of the app?
Or can we apply for this entitlement after we have a working build or prototype ready?
We want to ensure compliance and streamline our development process, so any guidance on the appropriate timing for the entitlement request would be greatly appreciated.
We're building a taxi driver app. Our goal is simple:
Play a notification sound when a new ride request arrives — even if the iPhone is connected to CarPlay.
We use Firebase push with "sound": "default" and "interruption-level": "time-sensitive". The app requests .carPlay and uses a category with .allowInCarPlay.
Everything works when CarPlay is disconnected — we get sound and banner. But when connected to CarPlay:
the push is delivered silently,
no sound is played (even on the phone),
Siri Announce is enabled, but nothing is spoken.
Questions:
Is notification sound blocked when CarPlay is active, unless the app has CarPlay entitlement?
Is Siri Announce the only way to notify the driver audibly in this case?
Would getting a CarPlay entitlement (e.g. CarPlay.communication) fix this without building a full CarPlay UI?
Thanks — all we need is a reliable sound alert when a new ride comes in.
I wanted to know if Apple ever supported displaying a red dot on notificationswith no indication number.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
Hi Apple Support team,
I would like to inform you that we were receiving push notifications to all regions. Recently we were facing push notifications are not receiving to brazil region. For all other regions we are receiving. We are using same APSN certificate. Any region specific permissions do we need to add. Please let me know. Thanks.
I've built an iOS & Watch OS app using Sign in with Apple & CloudKit exclusively.
I'm now wanting to implement Push Notifications. I understand that I need a server to trigger the push notifications (I guess I could spool up a Node server somewhere or use Firebase), but I'd really like to not use any non-Apple backend services.
Am I correct in understanding that I can do this with Push Notifications Console, or do I still need a separate backend?
Is there a way to configure the APNS notification sound volume to be louder?
I am implementing some custom sounds(narrative sentences) for APNS, it does play the custom sound, but the volume of the custom sound is not loud enough even though I had set the device's volume and "RingTone and Alerts" volume to max.
I tried to amplify the custom sound file, it does play louder but the result is minimum if I want to maintain the quality of the sound without it been distorted.
I tried to use Notification Service Extension, AVAudioPlayer and AVAudioSession to play the sound, it does play louder in max volume compare with relying on default sound payload in APNS, but the problem is AVAudioPlayer and AVAudioSession do not seems to be usable when the application is in background or killed state, is there any other alternative I could use?
Hi everyone,
I'm developing a custom Apple Wallet pass using a Django backend and exposing my local server through ngrok during development. For the first ~30 minutes, everything works exactly as expected: the pass registers correctly, silent push notifications trigger instant updates, Wallet immediately performs the GET request to fetch the new .pkpass, and the changeMessage displays almost instantly on the lock screen.
At some point, however, the pass stops updating entirely. Apple APNs continues to return 200 OK for every silent push I send, but the device never performs the required GET /v1/passes// call to download the updated pass. As a result, even the internal content of the pass (ex: points/balance fields) no longer updates, which confirms that Wallet is not fetching the new .pkpass at all. No changeMessage appears either.
This behavior has been described informally by other developers as Apple Wallet Pass Update Throttling, where the Wallet daemon begins ignoring silent pushes after repeated updates or certain internal conditions. I’m trying to confirm whether this is indeed throttling, what triggers it, and how to avoid it during development.
If a notification: ONE_TIME_CHARGE is used to ship the IAP content, it involves a point where the client might not finish the transaction, yet the item is shipped. Will an unfinished purchase affect refunds?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
I’m testing remote push notifications on macOS, and although notifications are received and displayed correctly, my Notification Service Extension (NSE) never gets invoked.
The extension is properly added as a target in the same app, uses the UNNotificationServiceExtension class, and implements both didReceive(_:withContentHandler:) and serviceExtensionTimeWillExpire(). I’ve also set "mutable-content": 1 in the APNS payload, similar to how it works on iOS — where the same code correctly triggers the NSE. On macOS, however, there’s no sign that the extension process starts or the delegate methods are called.
import UserNotifications
class NotificationService: UNNotificationServiceExtension {
override func didReceive(_ request: UNNotificationRequest,
withContentHandler contentHandler: @escaping (UNNotificationContent) -> Void) {
let modified = (request.content.mutableCopy() as? UNMutableNotificationContent)
modified?.title = "[Modified] " + (modified?.title ?? "")
contentHandler(modified ?? request.content)
}
override func serviceExtensionTimeWillExpire() {
// Called if the extension times out before finishing
}
}
And the payload used for testing:
{
"aps": {
"alert": {
"title": "Meeting Reminder",
"body": "Join the weekly sync call"
},
"mutable-content": 1
},
"MEETING_ORGANIZER": "Alex Johnson"
}
Despite all correct setup steps, the NSE never triggers on macOS (while working fine on iOS).
Can anyone confirm whether UNNotificationServiceExtension is fully supported for remote notifications on macOS, or if additional configuration or entitlement is needed?
When performing the P12 certificate sending test, there was an error stating that authentication failed due to the remote party closing the transport stream. May I ask how to solve this?
Hi Team,
We are building oru subscrption app and want to rely on server side purchase / subscription related notifications. We went through
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appstoreservernotifications/enabling-app-store-server-notifications
We wanted to understand the reliability and latency for server side notifciations provided by Appstore.