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Push Token Defined

A push token typically refers to a unique identifier used in push notification systems. When you install a mobile app and agree to receive push notifications, the app registers a push token with the operating system (such as an iOS PushToken or Android device token). This token is then used by the app server to send notifications to your device.

The push token is essential for targeting specific devices with notifications. It allows the app server to communicate with the correct device without knowing its exact location or IP address, ensuring that notifications are delivered reliably to the intended recipients.

How to Use it in a Sentence

After installing the mobile app and agreeing to receive push notifications, the user's device generates a unique push token, allowing the app server to send targeted messages directly to their device.

Common FAQs

An Android device token for push notifications, often referred to as a "registration token," is a unique identifier assigned to each instance of an Android app that registers for push notifications. When an Android app is installed on a device and requests to receive push notifications, the app generates a registration token. This token is then provided to the app server, which uses it to send push notifications to that specific device.

The registration token allows the app server to target specific devices for push notifications without needing to know their exact details such as IP address or location. It ensures that notifications are delivered reliably to the intended Android devices.

To learn more about push notifications and how they work for mobile apps, check out this article: What is a push notification service and how does it work?

Live Activities can be started, stopped, and ended directly from an app by leveraging Apple's ActivityKit push notifications, which enables apps to receive push tokens. Push tokens can be used to commence or end a Live Activity by sending an ActivityKit push notification from your app server to Apple Push Notification Service (APNS).


Push registration refers to the process by which a mobile app registers with a push notification service to receive push notifications on a device. When a user installs an app and opts in to receive push notifications, the app typically initiates the push registration process.

During push registration:

  1. The app requests permission from the user to send push notifications.
  2. If the user grants permission, the app generates a unique identifier, such as a push token or registration token.
  3. The app sends this identifier to the push notification service provided by the operating system (such as Firebase Cloud Messaging for Android or Apple Push Notification Service for iOS).
  4. The push notification service registers the device and assigns it a unique identifier or token.
  5. The app server stores this token to send push notifications to the device later.

Push registration is essential for enabling communication between the app server and the device, allowing the server to send targeted notifications to specific devices.