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Push Notifications on Android

Learn how to receive and manage loyalty card push notifications on Android. Complete guide to enabling notifications for PWAs, controlling settings, viewing alerts, privacy options, and troubleshooting issues.

Michael Francis avatar
Written by Michael Francis
Updated this week

Push Notifications on Android

Overview

When you install a loyalty card on your Android device, you can receive push notifications from businesses to keep you updated on your rewards, special offers, and important reminders. These notifications appear in your device's notification panel, making it easy to stay connected with your favourite businesses.

What you'll receive:

  • Updates when you earn points, stamps, or rewards

  • Reminders to visit and use your loyalty card

  • Birthday wishes and special offers

  • Notifications about balance changes or reward availability

  • Exclusive member-only promotions

Push notifications help you get the most value from your loyalty cards without having to constantly check them manually. You're notified at just the right moments—when there's something relevant for you.

Important: Unlike Apple Wallet which automatically enables notifications, on Android you need to manually enable notifications for each loyalty card you want to receive updates from.


Before You Begin

Requirements:

  • Loyalty card installed on your Android device (as a Progressive Web App)

  • Android device with notification permissions enabled

  • Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Note: Android loyalty cards work as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which means they function like apps but are accessed through your browser. Notifications work similarly to regular app notifications.


How Push Notifications Appear on Android

In Your Notification Panel

When a business sends you a notification, it appears in your Android device's notification panel:

What you'll see:

  • The business name or loyalty card name

  • A brief message from the business

  • The time the notification was received

  • The business logo or card icon

Example notifications:

  • "Thanks for your visit! You now have 8 out of 10 stamps ⭐"

  • "You're only 2 stamps away from your free coffee!"

  • "Happy Birthday! We have a special gift waiting for you 🎉"

To access notifications:

  • Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel

  • Tap any notification to open the loyalty card and see details

  • Swipe left or right on a notification to dismiss it

Lock Screen Notifications

If your device is locked when a notification arrives:

The notification appears on your lock screen, allowing you to:

  • See the message without unlocking your device

  • Tap to unlock and open the card directly

  • Swipe to dismiss if not urgent

Lock screen notification appearance depends on your device's security and notification settings.


Enabling Push Notifications

Unlike iOS where notifications are automatically enabled, on Android you must manually enable notifications for each loyalty card. Here's how:

Step 1: Open Your Loyalty Card

  1. Locate the loyalty card on your device:

    • Check your home screen for the card icon

    • Look in your app drawer

    • Open the card from your browser if you saved it

  2. Tap to open the card

Step 2: Access Card Details

  1. Once the card is open, look for the Details button (usually at the bottom of the card)

  2. Tap Details to access the card settings screen

Step 3: Open the Menu

  1. On the details screen, look at the top-right corner

  2. Tap the three-dot icon (⋮) to open the menu

  3. A dropdown menu will appear with notification options

Step 4: Enable Notifications

Check your current notification status:

If notifications are already enabled:

  • The menu will show "Disable Notifications"

  • ✅ You don't need to do anything—you're already set up

  • You'll receive push notifications from this business

If notifications are disabled:

  • The menu will show "Enable Notifications"

  • ❌ Tap "Enable Notifications" to activate them

  • Your device may prompt you to grant permission

Step 5: Grant Android System Permission (If Prompted)

When you enable notifications for the first time, Android may ask for permission:

  1. A system popup appears asking "Allow [Business Name] to send you notifications?"

  2. Tap "Allow" to grant permission

  3. Notifications are now enabled for this card

Important: You only need to grant system permission once per card. After that, you can enable/disable notifications directly from the card's menu without additional prompts.


Managing Notification Settings

Checking Which Cards Have Notifications Enabled

To verify notification status for any card:

  1. Open the card

  2. Tap Details

  3. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top-right

  4. Check the menu option:

    • Shows "Disable Notifications" = Currently enabled ✅

    • Shows "Enable Notifications" = Currently disabled ❌

Disabling Notifications for a Card

If you want to stop receiving notifications from a specific business:

  1. Open the loyalty card

  2. Tap Details

  3. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮)

  4. Tap "Disable Notifications"

  5. Notifications are immediately turned off for this card

Note: You can re-enable notifications anytime by following the same steps and selecting "Enable Notifications."

Android System Notification Settings

You can also manage notifications through your Android device settings:

To access system-level notification controls:

  1. Open Settings on your Android device

  2. Tap Apps or Applications

  3. Find and select your browser app (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, etc.)

  4. Tap Notifications

  5. Manage notification preferences:

    • Toggle notifications on/off entirely

    • Set notification importance (priority)

    • Enable/disable notification sound

    • Show/hide on lock screen

Important: These settings apply to ALL Progressive Web Apps in that browser, not just loyalty cards. For card-specific control, use the in-card menu method described above.


Types of Notifications You Might Receive

Transaction Notifications

Sent immediately or shortly after you make a purchase or earn points:

Examples:

  • "Thanks for your visit! +1 stamp earned"

  • "You've earned 100 points toward your next reward"

  • "Purchase successful: 5 stamps remaining until free item"

What to do: Tap to view your updated balance and see your progress toward your next reward.

Progress and Reminder Notifications

Sent to encourage you to return or remind you about your loyalty status:

Examples:

  • "You're halfway to your free coffee! ☕"

  • "Missing you! Come back and earn 2X points this week"

  • "Don't forget—you have 2 free items ready to redeem!"

What to do: Tap to view your card and plan your next visit to claim rewards or continue earning.

Special Occasion Notifications

Sent for birthdays, anniversaries, or special member events:

Examples:

  • "Happy Birthday Sarah! 🎉 Enjoy a free gift on us"

  • "You've been a member for 1 year! Here's a special thank you"

  • "VIP Early Access: New menu items available now"

What to do: Tap to view your special offer and visit the business to redeem it (check expiration dates).

Promotional Notifications

Sent about limited-time offers, sales, or exclusive deals:

Examples:

  • "Flash Sale! 20% off for loyalty members today only"

  • "Weekend Special: Triple points on all purchases"

  • "New rewards added to your programme!"

What to do: Tap to view details and take advantage of the promotion before it expires.


Viewing and Responding to Notifications

Opening Notifications

From the notification panel:

  1. Swipe down from the top of your screen

  2. Locate the loyalty card notification in the list

  3. Tap the notification to open the card

  4. The card opens showing your current balance and any updates

What to look for when the card opens:

  • Updated point balance or stamp count

  • Highlighted changes (new points, stamps, or rewards)

  • Special offers or promotions mentioned in the notification

  • Expiration dates for time-sensitive offers

Dismissing Notifications

To clear a notification without opening it:

  • Swipe left or right on the notification

  • Or tap "Clear" or "Dismiss" if your device shows that option

  • Or tap "Clear all" at the bottom of the notification panel to remove all notifications at once

Note: Dismissing a notification doesn't delete any information. Your loyalty card balance and details remain unchanged—you just clear the notification alert.

Notification Actions (Quick Actions)

Some Android devices and browsers support notification actions—buttons that appear directly on the notification:

Possible quick actions:

  • "View Card" - Opens the loyalty card immediately

  • "Dismiss" - Clears the notification

  • "Remind Me Later" - Snoozes the notification (if supported)

Availability of quick actions depends on your device, Android version, and browser.


Troubleshooting

"I don't see the three-dot menu in my card details"

Possible causes:

Browser compatibility: Not all browsers display the menu identically

  • Try opening the card in Chrome (most compatible)

  • Update your browser to the latest version

  • Clear browser cache and reload the card

Card version: Older card versions may have different layouts

  • Ask the business for a fresh installation link

  • Reinstall the card to get the latest version

Screen size: On smaller screens, the menu may be in a different location

  • Check for a menu icon elsewhere on the details screen

  • Rotate your device to landscape orientation

  • Look for "Settings" or "Options" instead of three dots

"Notifications option says 'Enable' but I already enabled it"

This happens when system permissions were denied:

To fix:

  1. Open Android Settings

  2. Go to Apps[Your Browser] (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)

  3. Tap Permissions or App permissions

  4. Find Notifications and ensure it's Allowed

  5. Return to the loyalty card and try enabling again

Alternative method:

  1. Open SettingsApps

  2. Find your browser app

  3. Tap Notifications

  4. Toggle notifications ON

  5. Return to card and enable notifications

"I'm not receiving any notifications even though they're enabled"

Check these settings:

1. Card notifications enabled:

  • Open card → Details → Three-dot menu

  • Verify it shows "Disable Notifications" (meaning they're on)

2. Browser notifications allowed:

  • Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Notifications (must be ON)

3. Do Not Disturb is off:

  • Swipe down and check notification panel

  • Look for Do Not Disturb icon (usually a minus sign or crescent moon)

  • Disable if active

4. Battery optimization:

  • Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization

  • Find your browser app and set to "Don't optimize"

  • This prevents Android from blocking notifications to save battery

5. Background data enabled:

  • Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Mobile data & Wi-Fi

  • Enable "Background data" and "Unrestricted data usage"

6. Internet connection:

  • Ensure Wi-Fi or mobile data is active and working

  • Notifications require internet connectivity

"Notifications are delayed or arrive hours late"

Common causes:

Battery Saver Mode: Delays background processes

  • Disable Battery Saver: Settings → Battery → Battery Saver (turn OFF)

Data Saver: Restricts background data

  • Disable Data Saver: Settings → Network & internet → Data Saver (turn OFF)

Aggressive battery optimization:

  • Settings → Battery → Battery optimization

  • Find your browser and select "Don't optimize"

Doze Mode: Android sleeps inactive apps

  • Settings → Battery → Battery optimization

  • Exempt your browser from optimization

Poor connection: Notifications need internet

  • Check your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection

  • Move to an area with better signal

"Card shows 'Disable Notifications' but I never receive any"

The card settings may be correct, but system permissions are blocked:

Check Android system permissions:

  1. Settings → Apps → [Browser]

  2. Tap Permissions or Notifications

  3. Ensure notifications are Allowed

  4. Check notification Importance is set to "High" or at least "Medium"

Check notification channels (Android 8+):

  1. Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Notifications

  2. Look for notification Categories or Channels

  3. Find "Web notifications" or similar

  4. Ensure it's enabled and set to show notifications

"Notification appears but card won't open when I tap it"

Possible issues:

Browser closed or crashed:

  • Manually open your browser

  • Navigate to the card from your home screen or bookmarks

  • The information is still there; the notification just couldn't launch it

Card removed from home screen:

  • Find the card in your browser

  • Re-add it to your home screen for easier access

  • Future notifications should work normally

Outdated card:

  • Ask the business for a fresh installation link

  • Remove the old card and reinstall the new one

  • This ensures you have the latest version with proper linking


Best Practices for Android Users

Keep Cards Organized

Add cards to home screen:

  • Long-press the card while it's open

  • Select "Add to Home screen" from the menu

  • Creates an icon for quick access

  • Makes cards easier to find when you receive notifications

Name cards clearly:

  • When adding to home screen, use recognizable names

  • Example: "Coffee Shop Rewards" instead of generic names

  • Helps you identify which business sent a notification

Manage Notification Preferences

Enable for frequently visited businesses:

  • Turn on notifications for places you visit often

  • These notifications provide the most value

Disable for rarely used cards:

  • Turn off notifications from businesses you rarely visit

  • Reduces notification clutter

  • You can still manually check cards anytime

Review monthly:

  • Check your installed cards once a month

  • Disable notifications from businesses you no longer visit

  • Remove cards you don't use anymore

Optimize Device Settings

Allow background data for browser:

  • Ensures timely notification delivery

  • Prevents delays caused by data restrictions

Exempt browser from battery optimization:

  • Maintains notification reliability

  • Small battery impact for significant benefit

Keep browser updated:

  • Update your browser regularly

  • Newer versions have better PWA and notification support

Maximize Notification Value

Don't ignore notifications:

  • Many contain time-sensitive offers

  • Tap to see what changed

  • Act on rewards before they expire

Respond promptly:

  • Birthday offers often have short validity periods

  • Flash sales may end quickly

  • Points or stamps might have expiration dates

Check details:

  • Read the full notification message

  • Look for expiration dates

  • Note any special conditions or requirements


Privacy and Security

What Businesses Can See

Businesses do NOT have access to:

  • ❌ Whether you opened their notification

  • ❌ When you dismissed their notification

  • ❌ Your notification settings

  • ❌ Other apps on your Android device

  • ❌ Your location (unless separately granted)

Businesses only know:

  • ✅ That the notification was delivered to your device

  • ✅ Your loyalty card balance and transaction history

  • ✅ When you earned points/stamps (from in-store transactions)

Your Control Over Notifications

You have complete control:

  • Enable or disable notifications per card

  • Control system-level notification permissions

  • Clear notification history anytime

  • Remove cards completely if desired

To enhance privacy:

  • Disable lock screen notifications: Settings → Notifications → On lock screen (select "Don't show")

  • Hide notification content: Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Notifications → Show silently

  • Use Do Not Disturb during specific hours


Differences Between Android and iOS

If you've used loyalty cards on iPhone, here are key differences on Android:

Feature

iOS (Apple Wallet)

Android (PWA)

Notification Setup

Automatic (enabled by default)

Manual (must enable per card)

Card Storage

Apple Wallet app

Home screen / Browser

Notification Access

Notification Centre

Notification panel

Settings Location

iPhone Settings → Wallet

In-card menu + System settings

Quick Access

Double-click side button

Home screen icon / Browser

Key takeaway: Android gives you more granular control but requires more manual setup compared to iOS's automatic approach.


FAQ

Q: Do I need to enable notifications for every card separately? A: Yes. Each loyalty card has its own notification setting that you must enable individually. This gives you control over which businesses can send you notifications.

Q: Will enabling notifications drain my battery? A: Push notifications use minimal battery power. Receiving a few notifications per day from loyalty cards has negligible impact on battery life. The main battery consideration is keeping your browser's background data enabled.

Q: Can I get notifications without adding the card to my home screen? A: Yes. Notifications work whether or not the card is on your home screen. However, adding cards to your home screen makes them easier to access when notifications arrive.

Q: What happens if I clear a notification without opening it? A: Nothing is lost. The information is still on your loyalty card. You can open the card at any time to see your current balance and any updates. Clearing the notification just removes the alert.

Q: Why do some cards show notifications and others don't? A: You must enable notifications separately for each card. If you're not receiving notifications from a specific business, check that card's settings (Details → Three-dot menu → Enable Notifications).

Q: Can I schedule quiet hours for notifications? A: Yes, use Do Not Disturb mode. Pull down the notification panel and tap the Do Not Disturb icon to enable it. You can also schedule DND: Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb → Turn on automatically.

Q: Do notifications work when I'm travelling internationally? A: Yes, as long as your device has internet connectivity (Wi-Fi or mobile data with international roaming). Notifications require data, so ensure you have a connection.

Q: If I reinstall a card, do I need to enable notifications again? A: Usually yes. When you reinstall a card, it's treated as a new installation, so you'll need to enable notifications again using the in-card menu.

Q: Can businesses send me notifications at any time? A: Yes, businesses control when notifications are sent. However, most businesses schedule notifications thoughtfully (during business hours). If timing is problematic, you can disable notifications for that card or use Do Not Disturb mode.

Q: What's the difference between disabling in the card menu vs. system settings? A: Disabling in the card menu turns off notifications for that specific card only. Disabling in system settings turns off all PWA notifications in that browser, affecting all your loyalty cards and other web apps.

Q: Will I be notified every time I use my card? A: This depends on how the business configured their notifications. Typically you'll receive confirmation after transactions that add stamps or points, but not necessarily every single scan. Some businesses only notify for milestones (e.g., "Reward earned!").

Q: Can I customize notification sounds for different cards? A: Android's PWA notification system doesn't support per-card notification sounds. All loyalty card notifications use your browser's default notification sound. You can change the browser's notification sound in Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Notifications.


Related Articles

  • Installing Cards on Android - How to add loyalty cards to your Android device

  • Push Notifications - How Automated Messages Work - For business owners (how notifications are configured)

  • Restoring Lost or Deleted Cards - Reinstalling cards if removed

  • Managing Your Loyalty Cards - General guidance on using digital loyalty cards

  • Push Notifications on iPhone (iOS) - Comparison with iOS notification system


Need help with your loyalty card? Contact the business directly using the information on your card, or reach out to your browser's support for Android-specific technical issues.

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