How do I send iOS and Android push notifications through one API?

Use a single notification service/API that abstracts the platform differences, then route to:

• APNs for iOS
• FCM for Android

The simplest “one API” options are:

1) Use a push provider with one REST API

These services let you send one request and they handle APNs + FCM behind the scenes:

• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) — can deliver to both iOS and Android
• OneSignal
• Amazon SNS
• Airship
• Pusher Beams
• Expo Push Notifications (best for Expo apps)

How it works

1. Your app registers with APNs/FCM and gets a device token.
2. Your app sends that token to your backend.
3. Your backend calls one push API with:
   • target user/device
   • title/body
   • custom data payload
4. The provider sends to the right platform.

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2) Build your own unified API

If you want full control, create your own backend endpoint like:

POST /notifications/send

Your server:

• stores device tokens
• knows each token’s platform (ios or android)
• sends to:
  • APNs for iOS tokens
  • FCM for Android tokens

This is still “one API” for your app, but you manage the platform-specific sending internally.

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Recommended approach

If you want the fastest and easiest route, use FCM or OneSignal.

With FCM

• Android: FCM directly
• iOS: FCM forwards to APNs, but you still must configure APNs in Firebase

You send via the FCM HTTP v1 API and target:

• a device token
• a topic
• a condition

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Minimal architecture

Mobile app

• asks permission
• gets push token
• sends token to your backend

Backend

• endpoint to create/send notification
• decides recipients
• calls push provider

Push provider

• delivers to APNs/FCM

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Example unified payload

{
  "to": "device_token_or_user_id",
  "title": "New message",
  "body": "You have a new chat message",
  "data": {
    "chatId": "123"
  }
}

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Important notes

• iOS uses APNs tokens; Android uses FCM tokens
• Notification payloads differ slightly between platforms
• You should handle:
  • token refresh
  • invalid tokens
  • notification permissions
  • foreground/background behavior

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If you want, I can show you:

1. a backend design for one notification endpoint, or
2. a code example using FCM/OneSignal in Node, Python, or Go.