This week at Google I/O, Google announced the broader rollout of its Engage SDK, giving more developers around the world access to powerful tools for deepening user engagement on Android. For OneSignal customers, this expansion unlocks a compelling new way to complement your in-app messaging and push strategies, especially for marketers focused on retention and repeat engagement.
What is the Google Engage SDK?
The Engage SDK is part of Google Play’s growing suite of developer tools, and it enables your app to show personalized content and updates directly to users in key surfaces across Android, such as the Play Store’s For You section. This helps bring lapsed or inactive users back into your app through rich, timely, and contextual touchpoints without requiring you to build your own re-engagement logic from scratch.
It’s built on the Play Core library, and it gives your app the ability to share content metadata with Google. Google then uses this to show personalized cards and recommendations, powered by its on-device intelligence. You stay in control of what gets shared and when.
Why it matters for app marketers
If you’re already using OneSignal to deliver in-app messages, push notifications, SMS, and email, the Engage SDK offers ways to re-engage users in the Play Store and through Google’s collections.
Use cases across app verticals
Here are a few ways different types of apps can use the Engage SDK to drive growth:
eCommerce apps
Surface dynamic product recommendations, price drops, and back-in-stock alerts through auto-generated content cards in the Play Store. Use Engage SDK to highlight abandoned cart items or new arrivals based on past user behavior.
News & Media apps
Re-engage lapsed users with trending stories or breaking news alerts even if they’ve turned off push. The Engage SDK can automatically showcase timely content on the Play Store to pull readers back in and boost daily active usage.
Food Delivery apps
Feature personalized re-order prompts, discounts from favorite restaurants, or time-sensitive deals. Engage SDK can surface this content in contextual moments, like around mealtimes or weekends, to drive conversions without needing to send another push.
What’s next?
If you’re a OneSignal customer, the Engage SDK doesn’t replace your existing engagement strategy - it extends it. We recommend working with your development team to explore how the SDK can complement your OneSignal messaging campaigns. You can learn more from Google’s documentation here.
As the rollout continues across more regions, now is a great time to test and learn. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this new surface can drive additional value for your customer engagement strategies and we’re excited to see what you’ll build.
