Does FireBase Cloud Messeging requires Play Services?

Question

Does FCM requires. that the user must have Play Services installed on his phone in order to receive notifications?

You see GCM do but now Im planning to move to FCM hoping it does not...how could I know before testing?

Answer 1

Yes.

See: https://developers.google.com/cloud-messaging/android/android-migrate-fcm#switch_to_fcm_in_the_app-level_buildgradle

https://firebase.google.com/docs/cloud-messaging/android/client

FCM clients require devices running Android 2.3 or higher that also have the
Google Play Store app installed, or an emulator running Android 2.3 with Google APIs.