Hi there! Happy to help with this one — it's more common than it should be.
Summary: Android users stop receiving push notifications even though everything appears configured correctly in FieldPulse.
Symptoms
- Push notifications were working previously, then stopped
- Notifications work on iOS for the same user account
- No errors appear in the FieldPulse app
- Technician may miss job assignments or customer updates
Affected Versions
Android 12+, FieldPulse mobile app 3.1.0 and later. Most reports from Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus devices.
Root Cause
Android's battery optimization features (particularly "Adaptive Battery" and "Doze" mode) aggressively restrict background activity for apps that aren't actively in use. FieldPulse uses Firebase Cloud Messaging for push delivery, and these system-level restrictions prevent Firebase from waking the app to display notifications.
Resolution
Have your technician complete these steps on their device:
- Open Settings > Apps > FieldPulse
- Tap Battery or Battery usage
- Select Unrestricted or Don't optimize (exact wording varies by manufacturer)
- Return to the app info screen, tap Notifications, and ensure they're Allowed
- Launch FieldPulse, go to Settings > Notifications, and tap Test push notification
Team tip: Samsung devices also have a separate "Sleeping apps" list in Device Care. If FieldPulse appears there, remove it.
For IT Administrators
If you're managing devices via MDM, you can whitelist FieldPulse from battery optimization using the Android Enterprise application_restrictions schema. Contact your account manager for the specific package name and policy details.
Let me know if the test notification doesn't come through after these steps — we'll dig deeper!
