iOS PWA Push Notification Testing

The Problem

Web Push API does NOT work in Safari's browser tab on iOS. The PushManager object is unavailable in the browser context. Attempting to subscribe in Safari produces:

FAIL: No PushManager

This is NOT a bug in the code. It is an Apple-imposed limitation: PushManager is only exposed when the page runs inside an installed Home Screen PWA.

The error message is misleading — it looks like the browser doesn't support push at all. But iOS PWA mode has full push support via Apple Push Service (APNs).

The Fix

Step 1: Install the PWA

Open shark.iamgmb.com in Safari
Tap Share icon (square with arrow at bottom of Safari)
Scroll down → "Add to Home Screen"
Name it "Shark Game" → Add
Open from Home Screen (launches fullscreen, no URL bar)

Step 2: Enable Notifications

Navigate to Settings tab or the push test page
Tap "Enable Push Notifications"
iOS shows a native permission dialog → Allow
Subscription is created with Apple Push Service at web.push.apple.com/...

Verification

After subscribing, the endpoint URL starts with https://web.push.apple.com/ — this confirms APNs is handling delivery.

Confirmed Working (Jul 9, 2026)

Tested on iPhone with PWA installed from Home Screen:

Service worker registration: ✅
Permission granted: ✅
Push subscribed: ✅ (endpoint: web.push.apple.com)
Subscription saved to server: ✅
Push sent (--sent: 1): ✅
Notification received on device: ✅

Desktop

No special handling needed. Chrome, Firefox, Edge all support Web Push natively in the browser. No PWA install required.

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