Overview and answers to your most common questions concerning web push notifications.
What browsers are supported?
The following table shows which browsers support web push notifications on which devices.
Browsers |
Windows PC |
macOS |
Android |
iOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | ✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
| Firefox (non-ESR) | ✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
| Safari | ❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
| Microsoft Edge | ✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
| Opera | ✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
| Internet Explorer | ❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
| Mobile webviews | ❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
Why can't I see my subscription prompt for web push notifications on iOS?
To be compatible with webpush on iOS, a website has to be able to appear as a native app on the home screen. You need to add the "display": "standalone" attribute to your website's manifest.json. If you don't have one setup, then Brevo Push will add one for you and there's nothing you need to do to support iOS web push.
➡️ To learn more about manifests, check the dedicated web.dev article Add a web app manifest.
Since iOS 16.4, web push is available for iOS devices, but you need to add the website to your home screen first:
- On your iPhone, go to the Safari app.
- Go to your website where you've installed web push notifications.
- Tap the three-dot icon, then tap Share.
If you Tabs layout is Bottom or Top, tap the Share icon. - Tap Add to Home Screen.
You can now click the home screen icon of your website and allow push notifications to start receiving them.
How to test web push as a new user?
We recommend you create a dedicated profile to test web push in Google Chrome. With this new profile, you should clear browsing data every time you want to test subscribing to push notifications:
- Click Chrome > Delete browsing data....
- Select All time.
- Check Cookies and other site data and Site settings.
- Click Delete data.
Why are web push notifications not working?
There are a few reasons your web push notifications may not be working. Expand the following accordions to learn more about each reason and how to solve them:
❌ Your browser is not supported
Make sure you are using a supported browser.
🕵️ You are on a private (incognito) window
Web push does not work in a private (incognito) window because this mode hides your user's profile.
🔕 Web push notifications are deactivated on your browser
Make sure notifications are activated on your website:
- Click the lock icon on your website's URL address bar.
- Check if notifications are activated on your website.
🎧 The "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus" features are activated on your device
The Do Not Disturb (on Mac) and Focus (on Windows) features block notifications on your device so that you can stay focused. Make sure these features are deactivated on your device to receive web push notifications.
- Click the time and date in the bottom right corner of your screen.
- Click End session to deactivate the Focus.
- Click the moon icon in the top bar.
- Click Do Not Disturb to deactivate it.
🖼️ Other notifications are already displayed
In some cases, only a few notifications can be shown at a time. You may need to close previous notifications to make room for the new one.
🖥️ You are in fullscreen mode
Notifications are not show on fullscreen mode. Once you exit fullscreen mode, the notification will appear.
Why is Chrome not showing web push notifications?
If you don't receive web push notifications on Google Chrome, this might be because Google Chrome notifications are deactivated on your device's system.
- From Google Chrome, use a tool, such as Pushpad, to check that you receive web push notifications.
- If it doesn't work, try your web push notifications with another browser (Edge, Firefox, Safari etc.)
If you managed to receive web push notifications on another browser, but not on Chrome, check if Google Chrome notifications are activated:
- Go to your Settings > System.
- Click Notifications.
- Scroll down and toggle on notifications for Google Chrome.
- Go to the System Settings.
- Click Notifications > Google Chrome. You may have to scroll down.
- Toggle on Allow notifications.
- Make sure Banners or Alerts is selected.
The changes I made from the dashboard are not applied immediately
The configuration you manage in the dashboard is affected by two layers of caching:
-
Server-side edge cache
This ensures fast delivery of the configuration to each client. Its duration is 1 hour. -
Client-side cache
This reduces the number of requests made by the client to save battery and data. It's duration is 12 hours.
As a result, changes made in the dashboard will be visible to new visitors within one hour, and to returning visitors within 12 hours. To verify a configuration update, wait up to 1 hour and test as a new user.
🤔 Have a question?
If you have a question, feel free to contact our support team by creating a ticket from your account. If you don't have an account yet, you can contact us here.
If you’re looking for help with a project using Brevo, we can match you with the right certified Brevo Agency partner.