Flutter Push notification to iOS & Android without firebase?

Question

I wonder how to push notifications to my Flutter app users in both Android and iOS devices Without using any external service like Firebase or OneSignal?

I want to implement a code in PHP which can send push real time notifications to all/spesific users in my Flutter app which works in both Android and iOS.

I found some solutions like flutter_local_notifications with workmanger which can fetch the API in the background only minimum 15 minuts. Workmanger is Not good solution because its work only during 15 min and it will consume the battery and internet.

I need an efficient solution to my flutter app for both Android & iOS devices, which can listen on real time to the coming messages from the server even when the app is closed.

How to fix that? thanks

Answer 1

iOS

You will always need to integrate with Apple's Push Notification Server (APNS) if your app needs make API calls in the background. The reason is that once an app is put into the background, iOS will often put the app to sleep soon afterwards.

The correct approach to this is to use a silent push notification to wake up the app. When received, no message is shown on device but the app get's about 30 seconds in order to make API calls.

In your case, the app can make the API call and then schedule a local push notification to display your message.

Background updates via push notifications

Scheduling local push notifications

Android

It looks like WorkManager is your best bet. I don't see how it can affect battery.

FYI

You don't need to use Firebase or OneSignal for push notifications, silent or otherwise. They are simply 3rd party services that interact with the official Apple or Google Push Notification Servers.