PusharooFirefox push notifications: how they work
Firefox has supported standard web push since 2016 and runs its own push service. It’s also the browser that made “ask only after a click” a hard rule.
- Firefox supports web push on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
- Since Firefox 72, permission requests not triggered by a user action are shown only as an address-bar icon.
- Firefox notifications show title, body and icon — no large images or action buttons.
- Desktop Firefox must be running to receive notifications.
The click-to-ask rule
Firefox 72 (January 2020) stopped showing permission pop-ups that weren’t triggered by a user gesture like a click or key press. Instead a small speech-bubble icon appears in the address bar. Sites that request permission on page load effectively never reach Firefox users. A soft prompt with an “Allow” button — which then asks the browser — satisfies the rule (opt-in guide).
Mozilla’s push service
Firefox subscriptions use endpoints on updates.push.services.mozilla.com, operated by Mozilla (the open-source “autopush” service). Senders use the same standard protocol and VAPID keys as for every other browser, so a Web Push library or service like Pusharoo needs no Firefox-specific setup (protocol details).
Firefox notification settings
| Where | Path |
|---|---|
| Desktop | Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications → Settings… |
| Block all new requests | Same dialog → tick “Block new requests asking to allow notifications” |
| One site | Click the icon left of the address → clear the Notifications permission |
| Android | Firefox menu → Settings → Site permissions → Notifications |
For a full walkthrough in every browser, see turn off website notifications.
What Firefox displays
- Title, body text and your icon, using the operating system’s notification style.
- No large image and no action buttons — write so the text stands alone (length tips).
- Clicking opens the URL you set, handled by your service worker.
Firefox privacy features and push
Firefox’s Enhanced Tracking Protection doesn’t block standard web push on first-party sites, but strict modes and extensions can block third-party scripts that load your prompt. If Firefox users don’t see your prompt, test with protections set to Standard and extensions disabled. Self-contained setups with a small snippet and a service worker on your own domain tend to be the most resilient.
Writing for Firefox
Because Firefox shows text and icon only, it’s the best preview of your “plain” notification. If the message works in Firefox — clear title, useful body, recognisable icon — it’ll work everywhere; images and buttons elsewhere are a bonus (rich push).
Testing in Firefox
- Open
about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefoxto see registered service workers. - Use the Push button next to your worker to fire a test push event.
- Check Firefox is allowed to show notifications at the OS level (macOS System Settings, Windows Notifications).
- Subscribe through your prompt and send yourself a real test (testing guide).
Questions
Why doesn’t Firefox show my site’s notification prompt?
Most likely the request didn’t come from a click. Firefox shows only an address-bar icon in that case. Ask through your own button or soft prompt.
Do Firefox notifications work when Firefox is closed?
On desktop, Firefox must be running. On Android, notifications can arrive while Firefox is in the background.
Does Firefox support push on iPhone?
Firefox on iOS uses Apple’s WebKit, so iPhone push works only for Home Screen web apps on iOS 16.4+, regardless of browser.
Keep reading
Browser push notifications: who supports what
Support table for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Samsung Internet — desktop, Android and iPhone.
Chrome push notifications: a complete guide
How Chrome asks, its quieter permission UI, settings on desktop and Android, background delivery and testing.
The push opt-in prompt, done right
Two-step soft prompts, timing rules, copy that converts, and what never to do on page load.
How to test web push notifications
A live demo, DevTools push buttons, sending to yourself, iPhone checks and a pre-launch checklist.
More in Browsers & devices: Safari push notifications on the Mac · Microsoft Edge push notifications · Web push notifications on Android · PWA push notifications on iOS and Android · Web push notifications not working? Fix it by symptom · How to turn off website notifications · All guides
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