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Push notifications

Push notifications are messages that an app or online service sends directly to a user's device to appear as alerts, even when the app is not open.

In plain English

These are alert-style messages sent straight to a person's device by an app or online service. They are meant to appear on the device itself, including while the app is closed.

In context

Here, "Push notifications" identifies the delivery channel for alert messages that an app or online service sends directly to the device, including when the app is not open.

Situation
Notification, privacy, data-export, and account-deletion settings
What it communicates
labels a mobile notification delivery channel setting

Meaning limits

The term alone does not say which alerts will appear or whether this channel is currently turned on.

Examples

“Even with the travel app closed, its push notifications appeared on her phone as gate-change alerts.”

Core meaning

“The weather service delivers severe storm warnings through push notifications.”

In context