Why Push Notifications Matter for Adalo Apps
Push notifications have a 7–10% engagement rate - compared to email's 2% and SMS's 4–5%. For Adalo apps, push notifications are often the primary way to re-engage users, send updates, and drive retention. Without them, your app becomes a "build it and forget it" experience for most users.
Setting up push notifications in Adalo isn't difficult, but there are several configuration steps that must be done precisely. This guide walks you through the complete setup for both iOS and Android.
Prerequisites
- An Adalo Pro plan or higher - push notifications require the ability to publish native apps
- A OneSignal account (free tier supports up to 10,000 subscribers)
- An Apple Developer account ($99/year) for iOS notifications
- A Google Firebase project for Android notifications
- Your app must be published as a native app - push notifications don't work in web preview
Step-by-Step Setup
Step 1: Create a OneSignal Account
Go to OneSignal.com and create a free account. Create a new app in OneSignal's dashboard. You'll receive an App ID and REST API Key - you'll need both for Adalo.
Step 2: Configure iOS (Apple Push Notification Service)
- Log into your Apple Developer account
- Go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles → Keys
- Create a new key with Apple Push Notifications service (APNs) enabled
- Download the .p8 key file and note the Key ID and Team ID
- In OneSignal → Settings → Apple iOS → Upload your .p8 file, Key ID, Team ID, and Bundle ID
Step 3: Configure Android (Firebase Cloud Messaging)
- Go to the Firebase Console
- Create a project (or use an existing one)
- Go to Project Settings → Cloud Messaging tab
- Generate a Server Key (or use the Cloud Messaging API v1 credentials)
- In OneSignal → Settings → Google Android → Enter your Firebase Server Key
Step 4: Connect OneSignal to Adalo
- In Adalo, go to Settings → App Access → Native App Settings
- Under Push Notifications, enter your OneSignal App ID and REST API Key
- This connects your Adalo app to OneSignal's notification delivery infrastructure
Step 5: Publish Your App
Push notifications only work on published native apps. Submit your app to the App Store and Google Play through Adalo's publishing workflow. You must be on at least the Pro plan.
Step 6: Test on a Real Device
Install the published app on a real device (not simulator). Grant notification permissions when prompted. Send a test notification from OneSignal's dashboard. If it arrives, you're properly configured.
Sending Notifications from Adalo
Method 1: Adalo's Built-in Notification Actions
Some Adalo plans include a "Send Push Notification" action you can trigger from button clicks or record creation. This is the simplest approach but offers limited customization.
Method 2: OneSignal API (Custom Actions)
For more control, use a custom action to call OneSignal's REST API directly:
- Endpoint:
https://onesignal.com/api/v1/notifications - Method: POST
- Headers:
Authorization: Basic YOUR_REST_API_KEY,Content-Type: application/json - Body: Include
app_id,contents(message text), and targeting (e.g.,included_segments: ["All"]orinclude_external_user_ids)
This method lets you send targeted notifications to specific users or segments based on any trigger in your app.
Notification Best Practices
- Frequency: Max 3–5 notifications per week. More than that causes uninstalls.
- Timing: Send between 10am–8pm local time. Never send between midnight and 7am.
- Content: Be specific and valuable - "Your order is ready" beats "Check out our app!"
- Personalization: Use the user's name or reference their activity when possible.
- Deep linking: Link notifications to the relevant screen in your app, not just the home screen.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| iOS notifications not arriving | APNs key not configured correctly | Re-upload .p8 key, verify Key ID and Team ID match |
| Android notifications not arriving | Firebase Server Key expired or wrong | Generate a new key in Firebase Console |
| Notifications work on Android, not iOS | Missing or wrong Bundle ID in OneSignal | make sure Bundle ID matches your Adalo app exactly |
| Test notification works, scheduled doesn't | OneSignal segment or scheduling misconfigured | Verify segment filters and timezone settings |
| User doesn't receive any notifications | User didn't grant permission | Can't fix after denial - prompt permission strategically |
For more Adalo troubleshooting, see our full help guide. Need expert help? Rehost is a certified Adalo Expert agency - get a free scope estimate.
FAQ
Do Adalo push notifications work on web apps?
No. Push notifications in Adalo require a published native app (iOS or Android). Web apps (Progressive Web Apps) have limited push notification support that Adalo doesn't currently implement.
Is OneSignal free for Adalo push notifications?
Yes, OneSignal's free tier supports up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited notifications. For most Adalo apps, this is more than sufficient. Paid plans start at $9/month for additional features like A/B testing and advanced analytics.
How do I send push notifications to specific users in Adalo?
Use OneSignal's external user ID feature. When a user signs up in your Adalo app, map their Adalo user ID to OneSignal via a custom action. Then target specific users by their external user ID when sending notifications through the API.