How do iOS Push Notifications work?

IosPush NotificationApple Push-Notifications

Ios Problem Overview

How do iOS "push" notifications get delivered to a particular device without that device needing to poll a server?

For example, let's say I have received a new message on Facebook. Facebook notifies Apple that my device should receive a notification as such. But how does Apple know which device/IP to push the message to?

Ios Solutions

Solution 1 - Ios

Each device can be updated with data using their own unique device tokens. This picture explains everything . .

enter image description here

Solution 2 - Ios

It was too much for me to put in a comment so.

From the documentation.

Apple Push Notification service (APNs) propagates push notifications to devices having applications registered to receive those notifications. Each device establishes an accredited and encrypted IP connection with the service and receives notifications over this persistent connection. Providers connect with APNs through a persistent and secure channel while monitoring incoming data intended for their client applications. When new data for an application arrives, the provider prepares and sends a notification through the channel to APNs, which pushes the notification to the target device..

I suggest reading the documentation for more information and how to use and configure. It's all there.

Push Notifications

Solution 3 - Ios

I created an infographic to explain the workflow of push notifications. Hope this is helpful.

enter image description here

Solution 4 - Ios

Device does not keep polling the server for the push notifications.

To keep it simple, consider an iPhone is connected to internet. On connecting to internet iPhone establishes connection to Apple Push Notifications server this connection is open connection which means data can be thrown to iPhone from server the moment data arrives to server.

Apple does not use HTTP protocol for Push notifications but if you understand HTTP Protocol its almost a similar methodology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_technology#HTTP_server_push

Solution 5 - Ios

There is a really nice exaplanation of push notifications in this article.

>In iOS, apps can’t do a lot in the background. Apps are only allowed to do limited set of activities so battery life is conserved. > >But what if something interesting happens and you wish to let the user know about this, even if they’re not currently using your app?

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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
QuestionAndy HinView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - IosKaran AlangatView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - IosPanama JackView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - IosUdit AgarwalView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - Iosuser4248688View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 5 - IosTarekView Answer on Stackoverflow