Customizing the iOS permission dialog for push notifications

Question

When an iOS app attempts to register for push notifications for the first time, the system pops up a permissions dialog asking the user for permission to receive push notifications. Is it possible to customize the text of this dialog, to explain why these permissions are being sought?

Most permission dialog messages can be customized by putting in an NS*UsageDescription Info.plist key. For example the NSCameraUsageDescription key controls what dialog text to display when requesting access to the user's camera. But there does not appear to be such a key for push notifications.

I'd like to re-open this question. I remember reading somewhere that in iOS 7 you can customize the permission dialog, I can't remember where I read this now though. Can someone help? — Daniel T., Nov 18 '13 at 21:47
I think the customization for permission dialogs (since iOS 6) only applies to other permission types, but for more details, you can read this question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/14158871/ios-custom-permission-alert-view-text/14161372#14161372 — Arkaaito, May 06 '14 at 23:04
@DanielT. yes we can only for subtitle please see this think https://developer.apple.com/library/IOs/documentation/General/Reference/InfoPlistKeyReference/Articles/CocoaKeys.html — user100, Nov 20 '14 at 12:23
This is surprising, it would be relatively easy for Apple to allow the key in `InfoPlist.strings`. Or if there's no customization point for policy reasons, then Apple should localize it themselves like the other automatic dialogs and buttons (like "OK", "done", "cancel", etc). — TruMan1, Jun 26 '17 at 17:20

score 54 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 09 '12 at 18:58

54

No, this is a system dialog which cannot be customized.

answered Jun 09 '12 at 18:58

melsam

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As a workaround, a separate dialog can be displayed prior to taking action that would show the system permissions dialog. – David Foster Jun 12 '12 at 02:47
@David Foster is it possible to change the permission dilog box (camera persmission) text to chineese ? how to do it have any idea? – Ramesh.G Aug 10 '17 at 06:10
@Ramesh 1. Yes, you can add whatever text you want as permission text in plist file, but for location service you can't, its system dialogue. 2. If app supports internalisation, follow this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/25736700/how-to-localise-a-string-inside-the-ios-info-plist-file – Suresh Durishetti Aug 31 '17 at 06:34

score 12 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 21 '13 at 02:30

12

One workaround that I have seen involves an app bringing up its own custom dialog explaining why it needs a permission. Then immediately afterwards the app requests the permission, bringing up the system dialog.

This may be suitable for convincing a user to accept the permission request in order to gain access to a feature, or to reject the request with the knowledge that the feature will not be available.

answered Nov 21 '13 at 02:30

David Foster

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Yep, like in this example: https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/04/the-right-way-to-ask-users-for-ios-permissions/ – Ferran Maylinch May 23 '17 at 14:37

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 09 '12 at 19:01

5

Not possible, since you dont have any control on it whatsoever

answered Jun 09 '12 at 19:01

Omar Abdelhafith

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score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 29 '12 at 09:02

4

No you cant change system in built message.because you dont have any control to it.

answered Aug 29 '12 at 09:02

wasim

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Roger Lee · Answer 5 · 2022-07-19T03:10:50.010

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I don't know if you mean the text under title like this image

If yes, modify your info.plist file. Adding a new key Privacy - User Notifications Usage Description, this is also a Xcode inbuilt option, you can select from menu. Then type what ever text in value.

Here's request code in AppDelegate didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:

if UserDefaults.shared.isFirstLaunch {
    UNUserNotificationCenter.current().requestAuthorization(options: [.alert, .badge, .sound]) { success, error in
        if success {
            print("All set!")
        } else if let error = error {
            print(error.localizedDescription)
        }
    }
    UserDefaults.shared.isFirstLaunch = false
}

edited Jul 19 '22 at 03:10

answered Apr 14 '22 at 15:47

Roger Lee

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Doesn't work for me. – pors Jul 17 '22 at 11:16
@pors Hi, which iOS version are you using? – Roger Lee Jul 18 '22 at 05:12
iOS 15.5 @Roger – pors Jul 18 '22 at 08:40
@pors I've added my code sample in answer and set custom description to 'Hello pors', it seems working fine on iOS 15.5, could you show me more about your code? Screenshot: https://imgur.com/X9VAwlM – Roger Lee Jul 19 '22 at 03:17
I work with Expo (React Native), but I'm able to add entries to info.plist – pors Jul 19 '22 at 11:32
1

@pors Sorry, this answer is for native iOS app – Roger Lee Jul 19 '22 at 12:34
Maybe add the Info.plist key so people trying to add this outside of Xcode can easily follow. It is `NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription`. – jabbink Jan 23 '23 at 10:27

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Feb 17 '23 at 11:37

As Septronic pointed out, at least as of macOS 12.3 / iOS 15.4, the body of the prompt to allow notifications can be customized using the not-really-documented NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription Info.plist key.

You can add a value for the key Privacy - User Notifications Usage Description to your app's Info.plist with the desired string. If you edit the XML Plist directly, use this

<key>NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription</key>
<string>Your description goes here.</string>

score -1 · Answer 7 · edited Jun 15 '22 at 08:10

-1

System dialog title cannot be customized. But you can customize description message underneath.

edited Jun 15 '22 at 08:10

Septronic

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answered Jun 09 '22 at 14:56

musabsengul

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> But you can customize description -- How? – David Foster Jun 10 '22 at 17:40
1

@DavidFoster I can't edit my post, but you can either add a value for this key `Privacy - User Notifications Usage Description` (if you open as property list), or this (if as source code): ``` NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription ``` – Septronic Jul 11 '22 at 21:01

Customizing the iOS permission dialog for push notifications

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