What is Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)?

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is a free Google service that allows developers to send push notifications to Android, iOS, and web applications.

Features We Will Implement

Create Firebase Project

1. Open Firebase Console
2. Click Create Project
3. Enter Project Name
4. Complete Firebase Setup

Install Required Packages

Add the following packages in your pubspec.yaml file.

dependencies:
  firebase_core: ^3.6.0
  firebase_messaging: ^15.1.3
  flutter_local_notifications: ^17.2.3

Install Packages

flutter pub get

Initialize Firebase

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:firebase_core/firebase_core.dart';

void main() async {
  WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();

  await Firebase.initializeApp();

  runApp(const MyApp());
}

Android Setup

Add Android App in Firebase

Download google-services.json and place it inside:

android/app/

Update android/build.gradle

classpath 'com.google.gms:google-services:4.4.2'

Update android/app/build.gradle

apply plugin: 'com.google.gms.google-services'

Set Minimum SDK

minSdkVersion 23

iOS Setup

Download GoogleService-Info.plist and place it inside:

ios/Runner/

Enable the following capabilities in Xcode:

• Push Notifications
• Background Modes
• Remote Notifications

Request Notification Permission

import 'package:firebase_messaging/firebase_messaging.dart';

Future<void> requestPermission() async {

  FirebaseMessaging messaging = FirebaseMessaging.instance;

  NotificationSettings settings =
      await messaging.requestPermission(
    alert: true,
    badge: true,
    sound: true,
  );

  print(settings.authorizationStatus);
}

Get FCM Token

FCM token is required for sending notifications to a specific device.

Future<void> getToken() async {

  String? token =
      await FirebaseMessaging.instance.getToken();

  print(token);
}

Handle Foreground Notifications

FirebaseMessaging.onMessage.listen((RemoteMessage message) {

  print(message.notification?.title);

  print(message.notification?.body);

});

Handle Background Notifications

Future<void> firebaseMessagingBackgroundHandler(
    RemoteMessage message) async {

  await Firebase.initializeApp();

  print(message.messageId);
}

Register Background Handler

FirebaseMessaging.onBackgroundMessage(
  firebaseMessagingBackgroundHandler,
);

Handle Notification Click

FirebaseMessaging.onMessageOpenedApp.listen(
  (RemoteMessage message) {

    print('Notification Clicked');

  },
);

Complete Notification Service Example

class NotificationService {

  FirebaseMessaging messaging =
      FirebaseMessaging.instance;

  Future<void> initialize() async {

    await messaging.requestPermission();

    String? token = await messaging.getToken();

    print(token);

    FirebaseMessaging.onMessage.listen((message) {

      print(message.notification?.title);

    });

    FirebaseMessaging.onMessageOpenedApp.listen((message) {

      print('Notification Clicked');

    });
  }
}

Common Issues & Solutions

Benefits of Push Notifications

• Increase app engagement
• Improve user retention
• Send real-time updates
• Increase sales and conversions
• Improve communication with users

Conclusion

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is one of the best solutions for implementing push notifications in Flutter applications. With proper setup, you can send real-time alerts, marketing notifications, and transactional messages efficiently.

Using Flutter with Firebase helps developers build scalable, high-performance mobile applications for Android and iOS.