Does firebase handle push notifications?

Question

I am investigating whether firebase and angularfire are a good fit for my upcoming project.

One of the requirements are for users to be notified when the app is closed on new private messages sent to user, ie. push notifications.

Does firebase handle this?

Solution 1

Yes. This was not the case until recently, though.

Thanks to @libik for providing relevant documentation link:

https://firebase.google.com/docs/cloud-messaging/server#http-request

Update 5/2016 :

on Google io 16 , Google announced FCM - Firebase cloud messaging service.

With the announced expansion of Firebase at Google I/O recently, we also introduced Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) and Firebase Notifications (FN). As a developer, there are lots of updates that you might be able to take advantage of.

see more at : https://developers.googleblog.com/2016/05/google-cloud-messaging-and-firebase.html

documentation : https://firebase.google.com/docs/cloud-messaging/#key_functions

Solution 2

As of today, the Google I/O has announced the new Firebase Cloud Messaging Service does now support sending push notifications. It integrates with Google Cloud Messaging to deliver messages upstream and downstream!

You can read more about it here:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging

And the Firebase Cloud Messaging reference is here:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging reference

Solution 3

firebase is a storage. You wouldn't expect storage to do any actions.

For local notification generated by app when it is in the background you can constantly listen to changes in firebase and when the change occurs you can generate your push notification. In order to save the connection time since you are charged by concurrent connections, you can go offline and go online every 5 min for 20s. During this time firebase sdk connects to server, collects all the changes and runs all callbacks. You decide within your app what to do.

If you would like to enjoy remote push notification. You would need to setup a server listening to changes on firebase and talking to APNS which will push the notification to client's device.

Solution 4

Batch.com is offering a Push Notification service for Firebase

https://batch.com/parse-replacement-with-firebase

Solution 5

Actually, today (May 19, 2016) Google rebranded GCM to Firebase Cloud Messaging and it now offers this cross platform service. Firebase also offers notifications.

These are the differences between these two services:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging provides a complete set of messaging capabilities through its client SDKs and HTTP and XMPP server protocols. For deployments with more complex messaging requirements, FCM is the right choice.
• Firebase Notifications is a lightweight, serverless messaging solution built on Firebase Cloud Messaging. With a user-friendly graphical console and reduced coding requirements, Firebase Notifications lets users easily send messages to reengage and retain users, foster app growth, and support marketing campaigns.

If you want a more detailed comparison. Read this.

View more solutions

Comments

[BillyMedia]

Thanks. I went with parse and so far so good. Only issue is with intermittent 503 unavailable errors. Not filling with with confidence.

[sarat]

parse is really unstable we have faced lot of production issues.

[Bill Mote]

Parse started out as "storage" but has continued to add features. I actually fully expected Firebase to handle push notifications as a competitor to Parse. That's what hope and expectations will get you I guess :)

[Bill Mote]

Oh, also, as of the Summer of 2015 Google can handle push notifications to both Apple and Android platforms.

[guilherme.minglini]

Parse will be deactivated :(

[simo]

Hello, Isn't Firebase supports listening for data changes on specific location? firebase.com/docs/web/api/query/on.html So, why not to have clients listening for data change, then we can use the callback to show a notification at clients? isn't that what push notifications all about?

[andykkt]

@simo Unfortunately, that is not true. Push notification is something that able to notify without having your app running actively or foreground but what you just describe is local notification which can't be done without app running.

[Trần Trung Hiếu]

Parse is dead, so I hope firebase will support push notification like parse does.

[Aniket Tiwari]

how does it send push notification because i can't find device id

[Aniket Tiwari]

i need to provide a device id so then only i can send push notification

[Aniket Tiwari]

but I have still doubt i want to send push notification to my android phone using firebase + batch but there is not mention how to add the device id to send notification??

[Aniket Tiwari]

still unclear there is not told in documentation where device id is added in firebase ..

[libik]

@astletron - Have you seen some documentation, how to send Firebase Push Notifications without firebase GUI console? REST API or Server SDK...?

[libik]

@TannerHallman - Have you seen some documentation, how to send Firebase Push Notifications without firebase GUI console? REST API or Server SDK...?

[ThisGuy]

@asletron - documentation on server send api: firebase.google.com/docs/cloud-messaging/server#http-request

[Sagar Mody]

@libik Can you pls help with the exact link for the doc?