How can I use push notifications without using Telerik's backend?

[Wenjiang]

We are developing hybrid apps for the corporate and would like to use push notifications to business users. However, since we have already subscribe services from Azure, we would like to use Azure for push notifications. The question is how can I get PNS Id with telerik's hybrid platform without using telerik backend?

[Martin]

Hi Wenjiang,

For your hybrid app you have to add the native functionality for registering for push notifications with a Cordova plugin like phonegap-plugin-push.

Here is an article from Microsoft on using phonegap-plugin-push for handling Azure push notifications from a Cordova application. You can follow the procedure in the Microsoft article to setup the Azure integration and the client side code.

The notable differences when you come to integrate this in your Telerik Platform app are:

• Install the push plugin - refer to Import Custom Plugins procedure, which requires that you manually download the plugin from its repository and import the plugin's source inside your project.
• Configure and run on iOS - follow the guidelines to code-sign your Telerik Platform app for iOS from here  when you are ready to deploy and test the app on actual devices.

Please note that push notifications will not work on AppBuilder simulators or AppBuilder companion app.

If using Azure is not a mandatory requirement for your app, you should, as well, be able to use the Telerik Push Notifications plugin from the Verified Marketplace with the integrated push notifications service in Telerik Platform. You can follow the quick start guide from here. 

Regards,
Martin
Telerik by Progress