> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vibecodeapp-push-notifications-guide.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Expo Push Notifications

> Cross-platform notification service for iOS and Android

Expo Push Notifications is a cross-platform notification service that works seamlessly with Expo and React Native apps. It enables sending push notifications to iOS and Android devices with a simple API, handling all platform-specific details automatically.

<Card title="Full Setup Guide" icon="book-open" href="/guides/push-notifications">
  Step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots — from building your app to receiving your first push notification.
</Card>

## How It Works

When you ask the AI to add push notifications to your app, Vibecode handles the code automatically. But push notifications also require some **one-time setup** in the Apple Developer portal and Expo dashboard that you'll do yourself.

Here's the high-level flow:

1. **Build your app** in Vibecode with push notification functionality
2. **Submit to the App Store** via Expo Launch (creates a native build)
3. **Create an APNs key** in the Apple Developer portal
4. **Upload the key to Expo** so it can send notifications through Apple
5. **Configure your project** with the Expo Project ID
6. **Test** by sending a notification to your device via TestFlight

## Features

* Cross-platform support (iOS and Android)
* Foreground, background, and lock-screen delivery
* Custom notification titles, messages, and sounds
* Data payloads for deep linking and navigation
* Delivery receipts to verify notifications were received
* Backend integration for server-triggered notifications

## Use Cases

* **Reminders** — task due dates, habit tracking, calendar events
* **Real-time alerts** — new messages, order updates, price changes
* **User engagement** — daily streaks, weekly summaries, new content
* **Social** — friend requests, likes, comments, follows
* **Transactional** — payment confirmations, shipping updates

## Requirements

* **Apple Developer Program** (\$99/year) — required for iOS push notifications
* **Physical device** — push tokens can't be generated on simulators
* **TestFlight build** — push notifications don't work in Vibecode preview or Expo Go

<Note>
  For the complete walkthrough with screenshots, see the [Push Notifications Setup Guide](/guides/push-notifications).
</Note>