iOS 12 Rich Push Notifications: Engaging Users Effectively

In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, the power of captivating notifications cannot be underestimated.

Enter iOS 12’s game-changing feature: rich push notifications.

These innovative little pop-ups not only catch your eye with mesmerizing media attachments, but they also have the potential to boost reaction rates by a whopping 25%.

Sounds intriguing, right?

Yet, shockingly, only a mere 8% of marketers have tapped into this untapped potential.

Join us as we explore the wonders of iOS 12’s rich push notifications, and why you should be jumping on this bandwagon ASAP.

ios 12 rich push notifications

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Introduction To iOS 12 Rich Push Notifications

iOS 10 introduced rich push notifications, which greatly improved the functionality of push notifications. With rich push notifications, app developers can now include image, video, audio, or GIF attachments in their push notifications, making them more engaging and interactive for users.

To implement rich push notifications on iOS 12, two extensions are required: the Notification Service extension and the Notification Content extension. The Notification Service extension is responsible for modifying the payload of the push notification, allowing for the addition of media attachments.

Enabling rich push notifications in an app involves two steps:
1. First, push notifications need to be enabled for the app.
2. Then, a notification service extension needs to be created in Xcode to handle the rich media attachments.

To simplify this process, the CTNotificationService library can be installed using CocoaPods, Carthage, or manually.

• The Notification Service extension modifies the payload of the push notification before it is displayed.
• The CTNotificationService library can be installed via CocoaPods, Carthage, or manually.

“Rich push notifications allow app developers to include captivating media attachments in their push notifications, improving user engagement.”

Implementing Rich Push Notifications With Notification Service Extension

To implement rich push notifications using the Notification Service extension, developers need to:

1. Create a new target in Xcode for the notification service extension of their app.
2. The notification service extension will be responsible for modifying the payload and adding media attachments to the push notification.

To handle rich push notifications effectively, developers can utilize the CTNotificationService library within the notification service extension target. This library provides the necessary classes and methods to:

• Easily manipulate media attachments within the push notification.

Note: The CTNotificationServiceExtension class is particularly useful for this purpose.

Installing CTNotificationService for Rich Push Notifications

To utilize the CTNotificationService library, developers have two options:

1. Dependency Managers: One way is to install the library through popular dependency managers like CocoaPods or Carthage. This allows for seamless integration and easy updates.

2. Manual Download: Alternatively, developers can choose to manually download the library and add it directly to their Xcode project.

CTNotificationService serves the purpose of simplifying the handling of media attachments in rich push notifications. It provides developers with the following conveniences:

• Retrieving media URLs and types from the push notification payload using simple and straightforward methods.
• Downloading and caching media content for convenient display.

In summary, CTNotificationService optimizes the process of managing media attachments in rich push notifications, making it easier for developers to handle and display media within their apps.

“CTNotificationService simplifies the process of handling media attachments in rich push notifications.“

Handling Media Attachments with CTNotificationServiceExtension

The CTNotificationServiceExtension class is crucial for handling media attachments in the Notification Service extension. It provides developers with the ability to process various media attachments, including images, videos, audios, or GIFs, and prepare them for display within push notifications.

Developers have the option to use the default key names for media URL (ct_mediaUrl) and media type (ct_mediaType), or they can assign custom key names that align with their app’s requirements. This flexibility empowers developers to customize the handling of media attachments to suit their app’s specific needs.

• Bullet points:
• The CTNotificationServiceExtension class is responsible for handling media attachments in the Notification Service extension.
• It allows developers to process images, videos, audios, or GIFs within push notifications.
• Default key names for media URL (ct_mediaUrl) and media type (ct_mediaType) can be used.
• Custom key names can also be assigned to cater to the specific needs of the app.

Blockquote:
“The CTNotificationServiceExtension class plays a crucial role in efficiently managing media attachments in the Notification Service extension. By leveraging this class, developers can effortlessly process various media formats, including images, videos, audios, or GIFs, and seamlessly integrate them into push notifications.”

Customizing Media Key Names for Rich Push Notifications

Developers have the option to use the default key names (ct_mediaUrl and ct_mediaType) for media URL and media type respectively, or they can choose their own key names.

The media URL specifies the location of the media attachment, while the media type defines the type of media, such as image, video, audio, or GIF.

Customizing media key names can be useful when integrating rich push notifications into existing codebases or when aligning with internal naming conventions. It provides flexibility in how media attachments are identified and processed within the push notification payload.

• Developers can use default key names (ct_mediaUrl and ct_mediaType) or choose their own.
• Media URL indicates the location of the attachment.
• Media type defines the type of media (image, video, audio, GIF).
• Customizing key names is useful for existing codebases or internal conventions.
• It allows for flexibility in identifying and processing media attachments in push notifications.

Including the Mutable-Content Flag in the Payload

To enable the processing of media attachments in the Notification Service extension, the mutable-content flag must be included in the payload’s aps entry. This flag signals to the system that additional processing is required and prompts the system to call the app extension responsible for handling rich push notifications.

Including the mutable-content flag allows developers to modify the push notification payload and add media attachments before the notification is displayed to the user. Without this flag, the app extension would not be invoked, and the push notification would be shown without any modifications.

Improved Text:

To enable the processing of media attachments in the Notification Service extension, the mutable-content flag must be included in the payload’s aps entry. This flag signals to the system that additional processing is required and prompts the system to call the app extension responsible for handling rich push notifications.

Including the mutable-content flag allows developers to modify the push notification payload and add media attachments before the notification is displayed to the user. Without this flag, the app extension would not be invoked, and the push notification would be shown without any modifications.

• The mutable-content flag is necessary for processing media attachments in the Notification Service extension.
• Adding the flag prompts the system to call the app extension responsible for handling rich push notifications.
• Developers can modify the push notification payload and add media attachments when the flag is included.
• Without the flag, the app extension would not be invoked, and the push notification would be shown without any modifications.

Note: The mutable-content flag plays a crucial role in enabling media attachment processing.

Adding Media URL and Media Type to the Payload

To properly handle media attachments in a push notification, developers should add the media URL and media type key-values to the payload. These key-value pairs should be placed outside of the aps entry. By doing so, the Notification Service extension can retrieve and process the media attachments effectively.

Including the media URL and media type in the payload ensures that the Notification Service extension can access the required resources and prepare the media attachments for display within the push notification. This way, the push notification will be able to properly present the media content to the users.

Displaying Image Captions and Carousel Media with CTNotificationContent

To enhance the visual experience of rich push notifications, developers can utilize the CTNotificationContent class in the Notification Content extension. This class provides additional functionality for displaying image captions, sub-captions, and carousel media within the push notification.

By adding the CTNotificationContent class to the Notification Content extension, developers can take advantage of the customizable features it offers. This allows for the creation of dynamic and visually appealing push notifications that can showcase multiple images or multimedia elements.

• Key Points:
• CTNotificationContent class enhances visual experience of rich push notifications
• Provides functionality for image captions, sub-captions, and carousel media
• Customizable features for dynamic and visually appealing notifications
• Showcases multiple images or multimedia elements

Step-By-Step Instructions for Implementing Rich Push Notifications in iOS 12

To implement rich push notifications in iOS 12, developers can follow a series of steps outlined in this article. These steps include:

• Creating a Notification Content extension
• Registering category and actions
• Configuring the Info.plist file
• Sending rich push notifications using the CleverTap Dashboard or Server API

The article provides detailed instructions and code snippets to guide developers through the implementation process. By following these steps, developers can successfully integrate rich push notifications into their iOS 12 apps and take advantage of the enhanced engagement and interactivity they offer.

Benefits and Strategies for Personalized Rich Push Notifications

Personalization plays a crucial role in effectively engaging users with rich push notifications. By tailoring push notifications to individual users, marketers can significantly improve open rates and click-through rates.

The article highlights several strategies for personalized rich push notifications, such as:

• Creating a sense of urgency
• Offering birthday bonuses
• Upselling related products
• Asking questions
• Gamifying the notification
• Using enticing images

These strategies aim to capture user attention and motivate them to take action.

Statistics show that incorporating rich media formats in push notifications can lead to a 25% improvement in reaction rates. However, only 8% of marketers currently utilize rich media in their push notifications. By embracing this technology and combining it with personalization and segmentation, marketers can unlock the full potential of rich push notifications and maximize their impact.

In conclusion, iOS 12 rich push notifications provide a powerful tool for app developers and marketers to engage users effectively. By implementing the necessary extensions, utilizing libraries like CTNotificationService, and applying personalized strategies, brands can create memorable and interactive push notifications that enhance the overall user experience.

“By leveraging rich push notifications in their marketing efforts, brands can create memorable and interactive push notifications that enhance the overall user experience.”

To learn more, readers are encouraged to reach out to the CleverTap team or schedule a demo, where they can gain further insights and guidance on leveraging rich push notifications in their marketing efforts.

FAQ

How to implement rich notification iOS?

To implement rich notifications in iOS, first, you need to make sure push notifications are enabled for your app. Then, create a notification service extension in your project. This can be done by selecting File > New > Target in Xcode and choosing the Notification Service Extension template. This extension will enable you to modify the content of your notifications before they are displayed to the user, allowing you to add rich media such as images, videos, or interactive buttons to enhance the user experience.

What is rich push notification in iOS?

Rich push notifications in iOS are enhanced notifications that include rich media attachments such as animated GIFs, videos, or audio. These notifications provide a more engaging and interactive way for businesses and app developers to communicate with their users. By adding visually appealing elements to the notifications, companies can grab the attention of their customers and deliver more compelling messages, even when the users are not actively using the app or visiting the website. With rich push notifications, businesses can create an inviting and immersive experience for their users, helping to increase user engagement and improve overall user experience.

What is the difference between rich notifications and push notifications?

While both rich notifications and push notifications serve the purpose of delivering updates or information to users, the main difference lies in the level of interactivity and media content they offer. Push notifications are typically text-based and allow for brief messages to be delivered directly to a user’s device. On the other hand, rich notifications go beyond text and enable the inclusion of various forms of rich media, such as images, videos, GIFs, and even interactive buttons or deep links. This additional functionality of rich notifications allows for more engaging and visually appealing content to be delivered to users, enhancing their overall experience.

How can iOS 12 rich push notifications enhance user engagement in mobile apps?

iOS 12 rich push notifications offer several features that can enhance user engagement in mobile apps. Firstly, with the introduction of interactive push notifications, users can perform actions directly from the notification without even opening the app. This can save time and make it easier for users to engage with the app without fully launching it.

Secondly, rich push notifications allow for the inclusion of images, GIFs, videos, and audio files. By utilizing multimedia within notifications, app developers can capture users’ attention and deliver more captivating content. This can help in promoting new features, products, or updates and encourage users to open the app for further engagement.

Overall, iOS 12 rich push notifications provide more interactive and visually appealing experiences, increasing the chances of users engaging with mobile apps without the need to open them entirely.