Before your Unity game can display push notifications, players must grant permission on their device. Understanding when and how to request notification permissions is essential for improving opt-in rates while maintaining a positive user experience.
This guide explains how notification permissions work on Android and iOS, along with best practices for requesting them.
Notification permissions give players control over whether your game can send alerts.
Without permission:
- Push notifications cannot be displayed.
- Player re-engagement becomes more difficult.
- Daily reminders and live event notifications will not reach the user.
Always respect the player's decision and avoid repeatedly asking for permission after it has been denied.
Recent versions of Android require users to explicitly allow notifications.
Typical workflow:
Install Game
│
▼
Launch Game
│
▼
Request Notification Permission
│
▼
Player Chooses
│
├── Allow
│ │
│ ▼
│ Receive Notifications
│
└── Deny
│
▼
No Notifications
Older Android versions may grant notification access automatically, but your app should still handle permission checks gracefully.
On iOS, notification permission has always required user approval.
The workflow is:
Launch Game
│
▼
Request Permission
│
▼
iOS Permission Dialog
│
├── Allow
│
└── Don't Allow
If the player denies permission, they must manually re-enable notifications in the device's Settings app.
Timing has a significant impact on whether players accept notification requests.
Good moments include:
- After completing the tutorial
- After finishing the first level
- Before unlocking daily rewards
- When introducing a feature that benefits from reminders
Avoid requesting permission immediately after the game launches.
Before displaying the system permission dialog, explain why notifications are useful.
For example:
Enable notifications to receive daily rewards, event reminders, and important game updates.
Providing context helps players make an informed decision.
If a player declines notification permission:
- Do not repeatedly show the system dialog.
- Continue providing a great gameplay experience.
- Offer a settings screen where players can learn how to enable notifications later.
Respecting user preferences builds trust.
To improve notification opt-in rates:
- Ask at the right moment.
- Explain the value before requesting permission.
- Keep notification messages relevant.
- Avoid sending excessive notifications.
- Allow players to manage notification preferences in-game.
A thoughtful permission strategy often leads to better long-term engagement.
Avoid these common issues:
- Asking for permission immediately on launch
- Requesting permission multiple times
- Sending too many notifications
- Using vague or misleading messages
- Ignoring the player's choice
- Failing to provide notification settings
Poor permission handling can reduce trust and lower engagement.
When testing your implementation, verify that:
- Permission requests appear correctly.
- The game behaves properly if permission is denied.
- Notifications are delivered after permission is granted.
- Permission status persists between sessions.
- Settings changes are handled correctly.
Always test on physical Android and iOS devices.
Notification permissions are a key part of any push notification strategy. Requesting permission at the right time, clearly explaining the benefits, and respecting player choices can improve opt-in rates while creating a better overall experience.
➡ Testing & Debugging
Learn how to test push notifications, troubleshoot common issues, and verify your Unity implementation before releasing your game.