Setting Up iPadOS & iOS Web Push Notifications with Alertwise

iOS Web Push Notifications: Apple has finally unlocked web push notifications feature on iPhone and iPad devices with its newly released iOS and iPad 16.4. Earlier versions of apple did not officially support web push notifications feature. But now keeping in view the market need they have finally enabled web push notifications support. This is a great opportunity for business firms to reach out to apple users. Any business can now send web push notifications to iPhone and iPad users, reaching them directly on their lock screen, in the notification center, and through banners, just like a native app.

With Alertwise’s simple setup, you can easily convert your website to iOS-compatible push notifications. This setup is a one-time process, after which you can easily deliver your notifications to iOS users.

iOS Web Push Notifications

Web push notifications have been supported for a long time in Android or other operating systems and devices. But it was not supported in iOS/iPad earlier. When Apple launched the new update iOS 16.4+, then it started supporting iOS Web Push Notifications. The versions before this are quite old and their users are also very few but even now Apple does not provide the facility of web push notifications on those versions.

But since Apple launched 16.4+ version, it has started supporting iOS Web Push Notifications on apple OS/Device in which you can receive notifications on Safari, Chrome, Edge and all other latest browsers.

iOS Push Notification Requirements

Before you can send web push notifications to iOS and iPadOS users, there are a few technical and user requirements that must be in place. And this is not just alertwise specific, the process will be the same for all types of web push notifications because it’s related to how iOS handles web push notifications globally on mobile devices.

After fulfilling this requirement you can easily receive iOS Web Push Notifications on any iPhone or iPad smoothly.

1. A Web App Manifest File

• Your website must include a Web Application Manifest file (manifest.json).
• This file tells iOS how your web app should behave when installed on a device.
• In particular, the display property must be set to either:
  • "standalone" – launches your web app without browser UI, making it feel like a native app.
  • "fullscreen" – launches your web app in full-screen mode, hiding browser controls entirely.
• Without this manifest file, iOS will treat your site as a normal webpage, and push notifications will not work.

2. iOS or iPadOS Version 16.4 or Later

• Web push notifications are only supported starting from iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4.
• Devices running earlier versions will not be able to subscribe or receive push notifications.
• Always confirm that your test devices are updated to the latest version.

3. App Installed on the Home Screen

• Push notifications on iOS only work for websites that are installed as Web Apps.
• Users must add your website to their Home Screen by:
• Opening your site in Safari.
• Tapping the Share button (square with an arrow).
• Selecting “Add to Home Screen” from the menu.
• Once installed, your site will run as a Progressive Web App (PWA) instead of just a browser shortcut.

4. User Interaction Required for Permission Prompt

• Unlike desktop browsers, iOS requires an explicit user gesture (such as tapping a button or link) before showing the native push notification permission prompt.
• This means you cannot auto-trigger the permission dialog when the app opens.
• A good practice is to display a “Subscribe to Notifications” button or banner that the user taps to initiate the subscription flow.

5. Progressive Web App (PWA) Compatibility

• If your website is already a PWA, you may not need to make additional updates.
• Unsure if your website qualifies as a PWA?
• Ask your development team.
• Or run a quick audit using Google Lighthouse in Chrome DevTools, which will check for PWA compliance.
• Alertwise will also help ensure your site meets all requirements.

How to Set Up iOS & iPadOS Web Push Notifications for Your Website

If you have fulfilled all the requirements or if you can, then by following the steps given below you can easily Set Up iOS & iPadOS Web Push Notifications for Your Website.

Step 1: Add a Web App Manifest File

You have to prepare the manifest file of your app which should contain all the details related to your app. You can refer to the example file given below and create the manifest file of your app. The manifest file contains details related to the app such as name, styles, icons.

{
  "name": "Alertwise",
  "short_name": "Alertwise",
  "start_url": "/",
  "display": "standalone",
  "theme_color": "#3b43ff",
  "background_color": "#ffffff",
  "icons": [
    {
      "src": "icon/icon-128x128.png",
      "sizes": "128x128",
      "type": "image/png"
    },
    {
      "src": "img/icon-192x192.png",
      "sizes": "192x192",
      "type": "image/png"
    },
    {
      "src": "img/icon-512x512.png",
      "sizes": "512x512",
      "type": "image/png"
    }
  ]
}

Note: The display value must be standalone or fullscreen.

Reference it in your HTML <head>:

<link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json">

Step 2: Install Alertwise on Your Website

If you have not yet completed the AlertWise installation on your website, then you can easily do it by watching the video given below or check installation step by clicking on “Check Installation Details” button.

If you are WordPress User Then Install WordPress plugin – Best free push notification plugin for WordPress- AlertWise

If you are not a WordPress user then follow below setup instructions –

Tip: If you have more doubts or you are finding alertwise tutorials then check our youtube video playlist – AlertWise Tutorial Video

Step 3: Deploy & Test Your Web App

Now that your setup is complete, you can test your app for which you have to follow the steps given below.

1. Open your site in Safari on iOS 16.4 or later.
2. Tap Share → Add to Home Screen.
3. Launch your site from the Home Screen app icon.
4. Confirm that it opens like a standalone app, not a Safari tab.

Pro Tip: Use a banner or popup inside your app encouraging users to “Add to Home Screen” to enable notifications.

Step 4: Trigger the Subscription Permission

User interaction is required for push notifications on iOS. For this, you will need to show either a subscription button or a popup to trigger a permission request.

Steps to test:

1. Open your web app from the Home Screen.
2. Tap the Subscribe button.
3. Alertwise’s dialog will appear → Tap Allow.
4. The iOS system prompt will appear → Tap Allow again.

After completing all these steps properly, your website will be able to receive web push notifications.

Apple Web Push Notifications Compatibility

Device	Supported From	Not Supported On	Notes
iPhone (iOS)	iOS 16.4+	iOS 16.3 and below	Works only when the site is added to Home Screen.
iPad (iPadOS)	iPadOS 16.4+	iPadOS 16.3 and below	Same rules as iPhone – requires Home Screen install.
Mac (macOS, Safari)	macOS 13 (Ventura) with Safari 16.0+	macOS 12 (Monterey) and below	Push works directly from Safari, no Home Screen requirement.
Apple Watch	Not supported	All versions	Notifications from web apps do not sync to WatchOS.

FAQ