iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Betas Add Support for Web Push Notifications

The iOS and iPadOS 16.4 betas that were seeded to developers today add support for web push notifications, a feature that Apple promised would be coming to iOS 16 back in June.

ios 16 4 web push notifications
Websites that are saved as web apps to the Home Screen can send iPhone and iPad users Web Push notifications through the Push API, Notifications API, and Service Workers. A web app added to the ‌Home Screen‌ can ask the user permission to send push notifications, as described by Apple's WebKit team.

A web app that has been added to the Home Screen can request permission to receive push notifications as long as that request is in response to direct user interaction -- such as tapping on a 'subscribe' button provided by the web app. iOS or iPadOS will prompt the user to give the web app permission to send notifications. The user can then manage those permissions per web app in Notifications Settings -- just like any other app on iPhone and iPad.

Notifications from websites are designed to work exactly like notifications from other apps, showing up on the Lock Screen in Notification Center and on a paired Apple Watch.

Other new Safari 16.4 features include support for Focus for managing Safari Push Notifications, badge counts for website push notifications, third-party browser support for Add to ‌Home Screen‌, and more.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

mastercheif91 Avatar
39 months ago
Never have I ever wanted a notification from a website.

Hopefully Apple makes it easy and obvious on how to fully disable web notification requests.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
39 months ago
If anyone wants to know why, it’s not because it was a highly requested feature.
It’s because a part of the investigations under Apple for anti-trust involving the App Store are the claims that they treat web apps worse, and don’t give them the same functionalitie as AppStore apps.
This would include functionality like… Oh, I don’t know… Push notifications maybe?
“Third-party app stores should be permitted and users should not be prevented from sideloading apps outside a gatekeeper’s own app store. Legislative and regulatory measures should prohibit restrictions on sideloading, alternative app stores, and web apps.
Requirements that ban developers from using alternative in-app payment systems should be banned.
Third-party web browser apps should be able to offer full functionality and not face browser engine restrictions .
Pre-installed apps, default options, and anticompetitive self-preferencing should be limited, including in search results.
Users should be able to choose their own apps as defaults and delete or hide pre-installed apps.
App store review processes should be more transparent.”
From:
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/03/biden-report-recommends-apple-ecosystem-changes/
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antibolo Avatar
39 months ago
So now Safari on iOS will have the same annoying "do you want notifications for this website" popups as you get on desktop browsers?

No thanks.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
39 months ago

Macrumors notifications when?
I'm not sure if you are ready for those. Are you? ??



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jakexb Avatar
39 months ago
WOW!

I never thought they would do this. Seriously it's one of the only reason most apps are apps. Almost everything else an app does, a mobile website can do... except get notifications.

Now there is literally no reason to have a Twitter app or a Facebook app or any messaging app. You can just save the mobile website to the homescreen and still get your notifs.

My assumption was that Apple was dragging their feet on this because they knew they would lose App Store revenue if a website could do all the things a native app could do.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redbeard331 Avatar
39 months ago
Macrumors notifications when?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)