Overview
Push notifications are typically delivered within 20–30 seconds of being sent. Under optimal conditions, most customers receive them in under 5 seconds. However, delivery speed depends on several factors outside of Perkstar's control, including the customer's network connection, device state, and how Apple and Google handle notification delivery.
What affects delivery speed
Network connectivity
If a customer's device is online with a strong connection, notifications arrive almost instantly. If the device is on a weak connection, in airplane mode, or connected to a Wi-Fi network that blocks notification services, delivery may be delayed or missed entirely.
Device state
If a customer has their card open or is actively using their phone, the notification may not trigger a visible alert immediately. This is controlled by Apple and Google's notification systems and is beyond Perkstar's control.
Device powered off
If a customer's device is turned off, the notification system will attempt to deliver the most recent message when the device comes back online. This retry is only available for a limited time — if it times out, the notification is lost.
How to check if a message was delivered
If you're unsure whether a customer received a push notification, check the Latest Updates section on the customer's card. If the phone has received and processed the message, it will appear there.
Important: Card previews do not receive push updates. Preview passes are only for testing how your card design looks on a device — they will not show incoming push notifications.
FAQs
How fast are push notifications delivered?
Most notifications arrive within a few seconds. The typical range is under 5 seconds for devices with a good connection, though in some cases delivery may take up to 30 seconds or longer.
Can a push notification fail to deliver?
Yes. Notifications can fail if the customer's device is off, has no internet connection, or is on a network that blocks notification services. Apple and Google operate push delivery on a "best effort" basis — delivery is not guaranteed in every scenario.
Why didn't my test card receive a push notification?
Card previews do not receive push updates. If you want to test push notifications, install a real card on your device (up to 10 test cards can be installed before activation).
A customer says they didn't get the notification — what should I do?
Check the Latest Updates section on their card to confirm whether it was delivered. If it wasn't, ask the customer to check their network connection, notification permissions, and whether Automatic Updates is enabled in their card settings.