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Create Mobile Push Notification Templates

DriveMetaData (DMD) allows mobile marketing teams to build rich, platform-aware mobile push notification templates for iOS (APNs) and Android (FCM).

Before you start​

Confirm the following prerequisites before building mobile push templates:

  • Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or Apple Push Notification service (APNs) credentials are configured in workspace settings.
  • The DMD Mobile SDK is integrated into your Android and iOS apps.
  • Custom deep link schemes (e.g., myapp://product/123 or Universal Links https://myapp.com/product/123) are registered in your mobile app codebase.

Creation Workflow​

create push notification

  1. Navigate to templates and select the Push Notification tab.
  2. Click Create Push Template to open the editor at /templates/push-notification/create.
  3. Enter template metadata:
    • Template Name: Internal reference identifier.
    • Target Platforms: Toggle Android, iOS, or Both.

Message Copy and Character Limits​

  • Notification Title: Keep title concise and engaging (Maximum 65 characters).
  • Notification Body: Main message copy (Maximum 240 characters).
  • Dynamic Variables: Insert personalization attributes such as {{first_name}} or {{cart_value}}.

Rich Media Attachments​

Add visual banners to increase tap-through rates:

  • Image URL: Enter a public HTTPS URL or select an image from the Media Library.
    • Android: Displayed as an expanded BigPictureStyle notification.
    • iOS: Displayed as a rich notification attachment (iOS 10+ UNNotificationAttachment).

Platform-Specific Settings​

Android Configuration​

  • Android Category: Select from system categories (Promo, Reminder, Message, Event, Social, Service, System, None).
  • Channel ID: Specify the target Android Notification Channel ID registered in your app (e.g., promotional_channel). Required for Android 8.0 (API level 26) and above.

iOS Configuration​

  • Sound: Play default system sound or custom bundled sound file (e.g., chime.caf).
  • Badge Count: Set specific badge count increment or reset behavior.
  • Category ID: Specify the iOS Notification Action Category ID for custom action buttons.

Direct users to specific screens inside your mobile app upon tapping the notification:

  • Deep Link URL: Enter custom URL scheme or HTTPS Universal Link (e.g., app://checkout?promo=SUMMER2026).

Custom Key-Value Pairs (JSON Data Payload)​

Pass arbitrary key-value pairs to your app developers and analytics handlers:

{
  "screen_target": "product_details",
  "product_id": "84920",
  "campaign_id": "cmp_9201"
}

Preview and Testing​

  • Live Device Preview: Use the interactive preview toggle on the right panel to switch between Android Notification Shade and iOS Lock Screen views.
  • Send Test Push: Dispatch a test notification payload to a registered test device token.

QA Checklist​

  • Notification title is under 65 characters to prevent truncation.
  • Notification body is under 240 characters.
  • Deep link URI scheme matches the registered URI handler in the app manifest.
  • Image attachment URL uses HTTPS protocol and correct aspect ratio (2:1 recommended).
  • Custom JSON key-value pairs are valid JSON objects.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting​

IssueCauseFix
Notification not delivered on Android 8+Invalid or missing Android Channel IDSpecify exact Channel ID configured in Android app code
Rich image missing on iOSImage URL non-HTTPS or file size > 10MBUse HTTPS URL and keep image file size below 5MB
Deep link opens app root screen instead of target pageDeep link URL handler not implemented in appVerify URI router in mobile app codebase