Quickstart guide

This guide walks through four stages to get you up and running with OneSignal. Complete them in order or jump to the section you need. If you haven’t already, create your account to get started.

1. Set up your account and messaging channels — create your app and configure at least one channel
2. Add and organize your Users — understand Users, Subscriptions, tags, and segments
3. Send messages — compose campaigns, personalize content, and build automated Journeys
4. Measure impact with analytics — track delivery, engagement, and conversions

Watch a walkthrough of the platform, or skip ahead to the steps below.

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Set up your account and messaging channels

Your OneSignal App is where User and message data is stored. You can have multiple Apps in a single Organization for different projects, environments, or billing needs.

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OneSignal account

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Messaging channels

OneSignal supports push notifications, in-app messages, email, SMS/MMS/RCS, and Live Activities. Choose your first channel and follow its setup guide — you can add more channels to the same app at any time.

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Add and organize your Users

As users interact with your app, OneSignal assigns each a OneSignal ID (user ID) and Subscription IDs for each device, email address, or phone number. A single User can have multiple Subscriptions across channels. Users remain anonymous until you identify them with an External ID.

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User properties

Store User data as tags (key-value pairs) and custom events (user actions). Tags power message personalization and segmentation. Common tag examples:

• Attributes: first_name, city, subscription_tier
• Behaviors: cart_abandoned, last_login_date, onboarding_complete
• Preferences: notification_frequency, theme_preference

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Segments and integrations

Segments are dynamic groups of Users defined by tags, behavior data, or message interactions. They update automatically as User data changes — for example, “Last session greater than a week” or “Added item to cart.” Connect external platforms to enrich your segments with additional User data.

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Send messages

Design and send single-message campaigns or automated multi-step Journeys from the OneSignal dashboard. Each channel has its own composer with preview, targeting, and scheduling options.

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Personalize your messages

Use tags, custom events, and dynamic data to tailor message content for each recipient. Create reusable templates to maintain consistency across campaigns.

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Journeys

Journeys are automated, multi-step campaigns that respond to User behavior — such as onboarding sequences, abandoned cart reminders, and re-engagement flows.

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Send via API

Send messages programmatically for transactional use cases like order confirmations, OTPs, and billing alerts.

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Measure impact with analytics

Track message performance — including delivery, opens, clicks, and conversions — to understand what drives engagement and refine your strategy.

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FAQ

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Do I need a developer to get started?

Not necessarily. Email and SMS channels can be configured without code. Push notifications and in-app messages require SDK integration, which may need a developer or AI assistant. You can invite team members with different roles at any time.

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Can I add more messaging channels later?

Yes. Add any combination of channels to the same OneSignal App. Each channel has its own setup guide — return to the messaging channels section to add a new one.

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What is the difference between a User and a Subscription?

A User represents one person, identified by an External ID. A Subscription is a specific channel endpoint — such as a device, email address, or phone number. One User can have multiple Subscriptions across different channels and devices.

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How long does initial setup take?

Email setup typically takes under 30 minutes if you have access to your domain DNS settings. SMS requires carrier registration, which can take a few days. Push notification setup depends on your app’s platform and build process — plan for a few hours of developer time.

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