Add Onesignal Push

Add OneSignal Push (advanced beyond expo-notifications)

expo-notifications is fine for basic push. OneSignal adds: segmentation, A/B test, scheduled campaigns, automation triggers.

When to use which

Install

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pnpm add onesignal-expo-plugin react-native-onesignal

In app.json:

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{
  "expo": {
    "plugins": [
      [
        "onesignal-expo-plugin",
        {
          "mode": "production",
          "iosNSEFilePath": "./assets/onesignal/NotificationServiceExtension.m"
        }
      ]
    ]
  }
}

Init (App.tsx)

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import { OneSignal } from 'react-native-onesignal';

OneSignal.initialize('YOUR_ONESIGNAL_APP_ID');

// Request permission (use after onboarding, not at app start)
OneSignal.Notifications.requestPermission(true);

// Tag user properties for segmentation
OneSignal.User.addTags({
  plan: 'pro',
  signup_date: '2026-01-15',
  language: 'en',
});

// Set external ID (your backend user ID)
OneSignal.login(user.id);

Segmentation

In OneSignal dashboard, create segments:

• "Trial users (first 7 days)"
• "Paying users"
• "Churned users (no open in 14d)"
• "iOS users on iOS 18+"
• "EN users"

Then send campaigns to specific segments.

Triggered campaigns (the killer feature)

Examples:

• "User completed onboarding but didn't return in 24h" → "Don't forget to log your first meal!"
• "Trial ends in 24h and user hasn't subscribed" → "Last chance — your trial ends tomorrow"
• "User opened app 3+ times this week" → "You're on fire! Try this advanced feature."
• "User hasn't opened in 14 days" → "We miss you. Here's what's new."

Configure in OneSignal -> Messages -> Automation.

A/B testing copy

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Variant A: "Your streak is at 7 days. Keep it going!"
Variant B: "🔥 7-day streak! Tap to extend."

OneSignal sends each to 50%, picks winner after 24h based on open rate.

In-app messages (not push)

For users who are IN the app: overlays, banners, modals.

Use case: announce a new feature when user opens the home screen for the 5th time.

Privacy

• Add OneSignal to your Privacy Manifest (privacy-manifest-rn)
• Mention OneSignal in Privacy Policy
• OneSignal is GDPR-compliant, has DPA in dashboard
• Don't tag PII (no email, phone) — use external ID only

Cost

• Free tier: 10k subscribers, unlimited push
• Pro: $9/mo + usage above thresholds
• Indie apps usually stay free until 10k installs

Common gotchas

• Forgetting NSE (Notification Service Extension) for rich push (images, action buttons)
• Asking for push permission too early = denied 80%+
• Push permission denied = can't ask again unless user goes to Settings
• Best practice: use custom pre-prompt screen explaining VALUE before showing system dialog

Pair with

• add-expo-notifications for basic push (combine: use expo for transactional, OneSignal for marketing)
• add-deep-links so push opens specific screen
• add-posthog-rn to measure push → engagement → conversion