Implement a fallback strategy with OneSignal to ensure critical messages are delivered via email or SMS when push notifications fail. Learn how to set up cross-channel messaging using Journeys, APIs, and segmentation for reliable user engagement.
Push notifications are powerful, but theyβre not guaranteed to reach every user. Common reasons for push delivery failures include:
To make sure your message still gets delivered, OneSignal supports fallback messaging across other channels:
With a smart fallback strategy, you ensure critical communications still reach usersβeven when push doesnβt.
Send primary push notification
This is your initial attempt to notify users through a standard push message.
Check for delivery or open
Monitor delivery and user interaction to determine if fallback is needed.
Trigger fallback via another channel
If thereβs no engagement or delivery, send the same message via email or SMS.
Use OneSignal Journeys to visually automate fallback logic:
Fallback logic in Journeys builder
Send push notification
Use the Create Notification API to send a push message to your users. You can target specific users based on their External ID or custom Aliases.
Check status & trigger fallback
After sending, use the View Message API to check if the notification was delivered.
If: "received" = 0
, or status is "failed"
or "errored"
, it means the push notification didnβt go through.
At this point, you can send an SMS fallback using your own provider (e.g., Twilio or SendGrid), using the mapped phone number.
Detect push subscription status
Use the SDK method: addPermissionObserver()
.
It allows your app to track and respond to changes in the deviceβs notification permission status while the app is running. If the permission status changes while the app is not running, the observer will trigger the next time the app is opened.
Tag devices unsubscribed from push
You can add a tag to the users. The tag you apply (e.g.,
unsubscribed_from_push: true
) is shared across all channels for that
userβpush, email, and SMS. This makes it easy to later target users whoβve
opted out of push notifications.
Create a segment for fallback users
In the OneSignal dashboard:
unsubscribed_from_push = true
Youβre sending a security alert. If the user doesnβt receive the push within 5 minutes, they get the same message via SMS.
A package is out for delivery. You send a push with tracking info. If the user doesnβt receive or open it, they get an SMS with the same update and a direct link.
A payment fails during checkout. A push is sent to notify the user. If it isnβt delivered, follow up with an SMS urging them to retry the payment.
You remind users about an upcoming event (e.g., webinar, appointment). If push isnβt received, you send an SMS with the date, time, and join link or location.
Youβre notifying users of unexpected downtime. If the push fails, fallback to SMS ensures users are informed in real time.
A bill is due soon. You send a push reminder. If not received within 24 hours, send an SMS as a secondary notice.
A limited-time promotion starts. A push alerts the user immediately. If the push isnβt delivered, you send an SMS with the promo details and link to shop.
Tailor fallback logic to the messageβs urgency. Not all notifications need an SMS, but critical ones benefit from multi-channel delivery.
Need help?
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