Declarative Web Push

How it works

Standard Web Push

Web push notifications use service workers as background listeners. The service worker subscribes to a Push API endpoint, and when the server sends a message through the Web Push Protocol, it intercepts the push event and triggers the Notifications API to display the notification.

Declarative Web Push

With Declarative Web Push, the operating system handles displaying notifications automatically, without a service worker or custom JavaScript.

Benefits

Declarative Web Push simplifies implementation, improves reliability, and saves device resources by removing the need for a background service worker, letting the browser manage notifications directly even when the site's code isn't running.

Support

Declarative Web Push is only currently supported in installed PWAs (Apple calls them "Home Screen Web Apps") on any iPhone or iPad running 18.4 or later. Apple added support for Declarative Web Push in March 2025, with the public release of iOS 18.4. Progressier is fully compatible with Declarative Web Push on compatible devices.

Demo

1. Install the demo app on your iPhone (iOS 18.4 or later).
   Install app
2. Launch the app from your home screen, and enable notifications.
   Allow notifications
3. Send yourself a test notification.
   Send test notification

Links & Documentation

• Declarative Web Push on WebKit
• Declarative Web Push on W3C