Channel setup
Setup your message channels.
Messaging channels are the different communication pathways you can use to reach your audience. Each channel has its own benefits and setup steps depending on your use case and platforms. You can use a single channel or combine them to create a seamless, multi-channel experience.
- Push Notifications: Alert-style messages that appear on a user's device even when they're not actively using your app or website.
- In-App Messages: Rich, interactive messages that display while users are actively engaging with your app.
- Email: Traditional messages delivered to a user's inbox with support for detailed content and rich media.
- SMS: Text messages sent directly to a user's phone number, ideal for urgent communications.
- Live Activities: Dynamic, real-time updates that appear on the iOS Lock Screen.
Before you begin
Some setup may require a developer or someone with access to your push, email, and/or sms credentials.
If you have other team members that need access to your OneSignal apps, see our Account Management page to invite them!
Channel setup overview
Consider which channels align with your audience's preferences and behaviors, then follow these guides to set them up.
Technical requirements by channel
OneSignal is designed to be easy to setup and shouldn't require a developer if you have access to your codebase. However, everyone's setup is different and depending on the complexity and use cases, additional setup time may be required. For basic setup from start to sending a message for that channel, these are the estimated technical requirements and setup times.
| Channel | Technical Complexity | Developer Required? | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Push | Moderate | Yes | 15-45 min |
| Mobile Push | High | Yes | 30-60 min |
| Low | Optional | 15-60 min | |
| SMS | Low | Optional | 15-60 min |
| In-App Messages | High | Yes | 30-45 min |
| Live Activities | High | Yes | 45-60 min |
Best practices
- Start with one channel (like push or email) before moving on to others.
- Use different OneSignal apps for test/staging/production environments
- Send a test message to confirm setup.
- Combine channels into a single OneSignal app for seamless user experience and automation with Journeys.
Need help?
Contact our Support team via [email protected] or use the red button in the bottom right of your screen. We're happy to help!
Updated 2 days ago