Push notifications not working (Android)

If Android push notifications from Public aren't arriving, work through these checks.

1. Check permission

On Android 13 and newer, Public needs the Notifications permission.

Open Android Settings → Apps → Public → Notifications.
Make sure All Public notifications is on.
Make sure the General channel is on.

If you previously denied the permission, you'll need to enable it here — Public can't ask again.

2. Make sure you're signed in

Push notifications only work when you're signed in in the app. If you signed out, sign back in and reopen the Home tab so the app re-registers your device.

3. Update the app

Older builds may not register their push token correctly. Update Public — see Update the app.

4. Battery and background restrictions

Many phones aggressively limit background activity, which can stop pushes from arriving. Try:

Android Settings → Apps → Public → Battery.
Set the battery setting to Unrestricted (or Don't optimize, depending on your phone).
On phones with extra battery managers (Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Huawei, Samsung's "Sleeping apps"), allow Public to run in the background and exclude it from sleep / hibernation lists.

5. Do Not Disturb

If your phone is in Do Not Disturb, notifications may be silenced even though they arrive. Check Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb.

6. Reinstall as a last resort

If everything above is correct and pushes still don't arrive:

Sign out from inside Public (Menu → Account → Log Out).
Uninstall the app.
Reinstall Public from Google Play.
Sign back in and grant the Notifications permission when asked.

All Public push notifications come in on a single high-importance channel (General). Tapping a push opens the matching screen — for example, a new message opens that conversation. See Notifications.