Getting notifications to work on iOS requires a few specific steps. This guide will walk you through the complete setup process and troubleshoot common issues.
โ ๏ธ Critical Requirement
You MUST install Aiding Migraine to your home screen for notifications to work on iOS. Safari's web browser alone cannot receive push notifications - only installed Progressive Web Apps can.
๐ Prerequisites
Before setting up notifications, make sure you have:
- iOS 16.4 or later (Check: Settings โ General โ About โ Software Version)
- Safari browser (Other browsers like Chrome won't work for PWA installation)
- Sufficient storage space (The app is small, but iOS needs some free space)
- Network connection (Required for initial setup only)
๐ฑ Step 1: Install to Home Screen
-
Open in Safari
Navigate to the Aiding Migraine web app using Safari. Make absolutely sure you're using Safari - not Chrome, not Firefox, not any other browser. -
Tap the Share Button
Look for the Share button at the bottom of the Safari window (it's a square with an arrow pointing upward). -
Select "Add to Home Screen"
Scroll down in the share menu and tap "Add to Home Screen". You may need to scroll down to find this option. -
Confirm the Name
You'll see a preview. The name should be "AidMigraine" or "Aiding Migraine". Tap "Add" in the top right. -
Close Safari
Navigate back to your home screen. You should see the Aiding Migraine icon.
โ How to Tell It's Installed Correctly
When you open Aiding Migraine from your home screen, it should:
- Open in its own window (not Safari)
- Have NO browser address bar at the top
- Have NO Safari navigation buttons at the bottom
- Look like a native app
๐ Step 2: Enable Notifications in App
-
Launch from Home Screen
Tap the Aiding Migraine icon on your home screen (NOT from Safari bookmarks). -
Go to Settings
Tap the โ๏ธ Settings icon in the bottom navigation bar. -
Enable Daily Check-Ins
Toggle on "Daily Check-In" notifications. You should immediately see an iOS permission prompt. -
Allow Notifications
When iOS prompts "Aiding Migraine Would Like to Send You Notifications", tap Allow. -
Set Your Time
Choose what time you want your daily reminder (we recommend 8-9 PM). -
Save Settings
Your preferences are automatically saved.
๐ก Didn't See the Permission Prompt?
If you didn't see the notification permission request:
- You may have previously denied it - see troubleshooting below
- Make sure you opened the app from the home screen icon, not Safari
- Try toggling notifications off and on again in the app settings
โ๏ธ Step 3: Verify iOS System Settings
Double-check that iOS system settings are configured correctly:
-
Open iOS Settings
Go to your iPhone/iPad Settings app (the gray gear icon). -
Navigate to Notifications
Scroll down and tap "Notifications". -
Find Aiding Migraine
Scroll through the app list and find "Aiding Migraine" (or "AidMigraine"). Tap it. -
Verify Settings
Make sure these are enabled:- Allow Notifications: ON
- Lock Screen: ON (to see notifications when locked)
- Notification Center: ON
- Banners: ON (choose Temporary or Persistent)
- Sounds: ON (if you want audio alerts)
๐งช Step 4: Test Your Notifications
The best way to confirm notifications are working:
-
Set a Test Time
In the app Settings, set your daily check-in time to 2-3 minutes from now. -
Close the App
Swipe up from the bottom (or double-click home button) and close Aiding Migraine completely. -
Lock Your Phone
Press the power button to turn off the screen. -
Wait and Check
At the scheduled time, you should receive a notification on your lock screen.
โ Success!
If you received the notification, you're all set! Change your check-in time back to your preferred schedule (we recommend 8-9 PM).
๐ง Troubleshooting
โ "I didn't get the permission prompt"
Most common cause: You previously denied notification permission.
Fix:
- Go to iOS Settings โ Notifications
- Find "Aiding Migraine" in the list
- Toggle "Allow Notifications" ON
- Return to the app and toggle notifications on
โ "I don't see Aiding Migraine in iOS Settings โ Notifications"
Most common cause: The app wasn't properly installed to the home screen.
Fix:
- Delete the current home screen icon (long press โ Remove App)
- Clear Safari cache (Settings โ Safari โ Clear History and Website Data)
- Re-install using Safari's "Add to Home Screen" feature
- Make sure you open it from the home screen icon (not Safari)
โ "Notifications were working, but stopped"
Possible causes:
- Focus Mode/Do Not Disturb: Check if you have Focus mode enabled (Settings โ Focus)
- Low Power Mode: Can delay notifications (Settings โ Battery)
- App needs update: Check if an update notification appears in the app
- Notification settings changed: Verify iOS Settings โ Notifications โ Aiding Migraine
โ "Notifications arrive late or inconsistently"
iOS manages background tasks aggressively to save battery. This is normal behavior. Notifications might arrive a few minutes late, especially if:
- Your device is in Low Power Mode
- You have many apps sending notifications
- Your internet connection is weak
This is an iOS limitation, not an app bug. Notifications will arrive, just potentially a few minutes after the scheduled time.
โ "I'm getting notifications at the wrong time"
Check your timezone settings:
- Go to iOS Settings โ General โ Date & Time
- Make sure "Set Automatically" is ON
- Verify the displayed time zone is correct
- In Aiding Migraine Settings, toggle notifications off and on to resync
โ "Notifications work in Test, but not for Daily Check-Ins"
Daily check-in notifications are scheduled server-side. If test notifications work but dailies don't:
- Make sure you have an active internet connection when enabling notifications
- Try toggling Daily Check-Ins off, waiting 10 seconds, then back on
- Check that your set time hasn't already passed today
- Wait until tomorrow's scheduled time to see if they resume
๐ Still Having Issues?
If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and notifications still aren't working:
- Make a note of:
- Your iOS version
- What specific steps you've tried
- Whether test notifications work
- Any error messages you see
- Contact our support team with the details above
- Or report an issue on GitHub
๐ก Quick Reference
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Browser | Safari only (for installation) |
| iOS Version | 16.4 or later |
| Installation | Must install to home screen |
| Launch | Must open from home screen icon |
| Permission | Allow notifications when prompted |
| Test Method | Set time 2-3 min ahead, close app, wait |