iOS

Messaging Module Integration (CocoaPods)

CocoaPods is the easiest way to add devtodev into your iOS project.

1. Firstly, install CocoaPods using:

sudo gem install cocoapods

2. In the project directory execute the command:

pod init

3. In the created Podfile add the dependency:

platform :ios, '9.0'

target 'TargetName' do
  use_frameworks!
  pod 'DTDAnalytics', '~> 2.0.0'
  pod 'DTDMessaging', '~> 2.0.0'
end

4. Finally, run the command in your Xcode project directory:

pod install

CocoaPods should download and install the devtodev library, and create a new Xcode workspace. Open this workspace in Xcode.

Messaging Module Integration (Manual Installation)

To connect the module for processing push notifications, you need to:

1. Download the latest devtodev SDK from the repository

2. Add DTDAnalytics.xcframework to the project (check Do Not Embed)

The DTDMessaging plugin will not work without the DTDAnalytics main analytics plugin.

3.Add DTDMessaging.xcframework to the project (check Do Not Embed)

4. In the Xcode project settings, open the tab, and add: "Push Notifications" and "Background Modes" respectively

5. In the "Background Modes" section, enable "Remote notifications"

6. Add initialization to didFinishLaunchingWithOptions method:

let config = DTDAnalyticsConfiguration()
config.logLevel = .error
DTDAnalytics.initialize(applicationKey: "App ID", configuration: config)

DTDMessaging.delegate = self
DTDMessaging.pushNotificationsOptions = [.DTDNotificationOptionAlert,
                                         .DTDNotificationOptionSound,
                                         .DTDNotificationOptionBadge]
DTDMessaging.startPushService()

7. To handle SDK delegate methods, you need to add the implementation of the DTDMessagingDelegate protocol

extension AppDelegate: DTDMessagingDelegate {
    func didRegisterForRemoteNotifications(with deviceToken: Data) {
        // your code
    }

    func didFailToRegisterForRemoteNotifications(with error: Error) {
        // your code
    }

    func didReceiveInvisibleNotification(with message: DTDMessage) {
        // your code
    }

    func didReceiveForegroundNotification(with message: DTDMessage) {
        // your code
    }

    func didOpenRemoteNotification(with message: DTDMessage, and buttonClicked: DTDActionButton?) {
        // your code
    }
}

The DTDMessaging module provides support for notifications with attachments. These notifications are available since iOS 10. Attachments support images, animated gifs and videos. To use this function, you will need to create a “Notification Service Extension“, for this create a new target in your application settings:

  • Open Xcode (File -> New -> Target). Select Notification Service Extension.

The next step is to modify the Notification Extension class as follows:

  • Delete all auto-generated code.

  • Inherit Notification Extension class from DTDMediaAttachmentExtension

Example:

import UserNotifications
import DTDMessaging

class NotificationService: DTDMediaAttachmentExtension {

}

External interface of the DTDMessaging module

Object

Type

Description

startPushService

Method responsible for activating push notifications:

  • Requests permission from the user to receive Push Notifications

  • Sends a pushToken and the current state isAllowed

apnsToken

Data?

Getter giving the current pushToken, represented by a Data

apnsTokenString

String?

Getter giving the current pushToken, represented by a String

delegate

DTDMessagingDelegate?

Property for assigning a delegate to handle events from the SDK

pushNotificationsOptions

DTDNotificationOptions

Configuring the display of Push Notifications, is an OptionSet, is set by the developer to select the method for notifying the user. May be changed by the end user.

By default it has the following value: [.DTDNotificationOptionBadge, .DTDNotificationOptionSound, .DTDNotificationOptionAlert]

Optional DTDMessagingDelegate methods

Delegate method

Description

didFailToRegisterForRemoteNotifications(with error: Error)

The method is called when an error occurs at the time of receiving a pushToken, represented by the Error base class.

didOpenRemoteNotification(with message: DTDMessage, and buttonClicked: DTDActionButton?)

The method is called when a remote push notification is opened by an end user. A DTDMessage object and an optional DTDActionButton object are passed.

didReceiveForegroundNotification(with message: DTDMessage)

The method is called when a remote push notification is received when the application is in the Foreground state. The DTDMessage object is passed.

didReceiveInvisibleNotification(with message: DTDMessage)

The method is called when an invisible remote push notification is received. The DTDMessage object is passed.

didRegisterForRemoteNotifications(with deviceToken: Data)

The method is called in case the pushToken successfully arrives; represented by a Data.

Class for receiving Notification data (DTDMessage)

Property

Type

Description

payload

[AnyHashable:Any]

Full information sent using remote push notification.

actionType

DTDActionType

Property returning the enum DTDActionType value. Possible values:

  • App - default value

  • Url - open an external link

  • Share - share content

  • Deeplink - open a link inside the application

actionString

String?

Property returning an optional action identifier.

badge

Int

The value that is passed to display a badge on the application icon.

category

String?

Property returning an optional identifier of a push notification category

Class for handling pressed buttons on a notification (DTDActionButton)

Property

Type

Description

actionType

DTDActionType

Property returning the enum DTDActionType value. Possible values:

  • App - default value

  • Url - open an external link

  • Share - share content

  • Deeplink - open a link inside the application

actionString

String?

Property returning an optional action identifier.

buttonId

String

Property returning the identifier of the pressed button.

text

String

Property returning the text of the pressed button.

Notes

Foreground Notification

Displaying push notifications in Foreground state is available since iOS 10.0.

By default, according to Apple Push Notification Guidelines, the display of push notification in the Foreground state is disabled. In order to set the display method, you must:

  • Assign delegate for UNUserNotificationCenter

  • Or pass a parameter in the push notification constructor (_fg = 1). In this case, the display method will be formed from the Notification settings.

  • Or delegate the system method userNotificationCenter willPresent notification. In this case, the display properties will be taken from the developer.

An example of a delegated method implementation:

func userNotificationCenter(_ center: UNUserNotificationCenter, 
                            willPresent notification: UNNotification, 
                            withCompletionHandler completionHandler: @escaping (UNNotificationPresentationOptions) -> Void) {
  completionHandler([.alert, .sound])
}

DTDNotificationOptions

It is an OptionSet that is used to pass push notification authorization and set up interactions with users.

The user can change the allowed parameters at any time in the notification settings.

Possible values:

Value

Description

DTDNotificationOptionBadge

display a badge on the application icon

DTDNotificationOptionSound

play sound

DTDNotificationOptionAlert

display an alert

DTDNotificationOptionCarPlay

display push notification in CarPlay

DTDNotificationOptionCriticalAlert

play sound for critical notifications regardless of the “Do Not Disturb” setting (Critical alerts require special permission from Apple.) Available since iOS 12.0

DTDNotificationOptionProvidesSettings

an option specifying that the system should display a button for notification settings in the application. Available since iOS 12.0

DTDNotificationOptionProvisional

pre-send notifications to the Action Center without interrupting work. Available since iOS 12.0

DTDNotificationOptionAnnouncement

for Siri to automatically read messages through AirPods. Available since iOS 13.0

DTDNotificationOptionProvisional - Provisional push notifications appear in the user's Notification Center, but not on the lock screen. This type of push notification does not have to be explicitly allowed by the user. Start submitting them as soon as the user installs and runs your application. However, the user can also opt in/opt out of notifications, but they will need to do it explicitly.

This setting is used to prevent receiving push notification permission requests at the start, which is intrusive and most users refuse to receive them.

It is also important that when using the DTDNotificationOptionProvisional setting, the user will be able to subscribe to explicit notifications only from the notification center settings.

DTDMediaAttachmentExtension

To handle the application attitude to displaying push notifications, you need to add a Notifications service Extension. And inherit NotificationService from DTDMediaAttachmentExtension

@available(iOSApplicationExtension 10.0, *)
class NotificationService: DTDMediaAttachmentExtension {
  // nothing
}

Custom sounds

To use custom sounds for push notifications, you need to copy the necessary sound files to the Libraries folder of your Xcode project. You can read more about supported formats here.

When creating a push company, it is important to specify the full name of the sound with file extension (for example, sound.wav).

DTDMessaging integration with swizzling disabled

DTDMessaging automatically swizzles notification tracking and APNS-token usage methods by default. If you want to disable the function, add the flag DTDMessagingSwizzlingEnabled (boolean) in the app’s Info.plist file and set it to NO (0). However, if you disable notification swizzling, you will need additional integration for accurate analytics:

For sending APNS-token to DTDMessaging:

func application(_ application: UIApplication, 
                didRegisterForRemoteNotificationsWithDeviceToken deviceToken: Data) {
  DTDMessaging.apnsToken = deviceToken
}i

For sending information about the application:

func application(_ application: UIApplication,
                didReceiveRemoteNotification userInfo: [AnyHashable: Any]) {
  DTDMessaging.didReceiveMessage(userInfo: userInfo, actionIdentifier: nil)
}

@available(iOS 10.0, *)
extension AppDelegate: UNUserNotificationCenterDelegate {
  func userNotificationCenter(_ center: UNUserNotificationCenter, 
                              didReceive response: UNNotificationResponse, 
                              withCompletionHandler completionHandler: @escaping () -> Void) {
    let userInfo = response.notification.request.content.userInfo
    let actionIdentifier = response.actionIdentifier
    DTDMessaging.didReceiveMessage(userInfo: userInfo, actionIdentifier: actionIdentifier)
  }

  func userNotificationCenter(_ center: UNUserNotificationCenter, 
                              willPresent notification: UNNotification, 
                              withCompletionHandler completionHandler: @escaping (UNNotificationPresentationOptions) -> Void) {
    let userInfo = notification.request.content.userInfo
    DTDMessaging.willPresentMessage(userInfo: userInfo)
  }
}

Note: If you disable automatic notification swizzling, DTDMessagingDelegate methods will not be called.

Last updated

#989: best practices - improved readability

Change request updated