Devices without GMS
Devices without Google Services can receive alerts. Tested on an AOSP emulator without Google Services, including screen-off delivery and recovery of queued events after a restart.
Architecture
Alerts without Google Services
The app connects directly to your server. Google Services and a messenger are optional. The phone needs HTTPS access to the installation; a private network may require a VPN.
How a notification arrives
A common Android push notification path goes through Google’s infrastructure: the app registers with FCM, your server sends Google a message, and Google wakes the phone. That path depends on Google Services availability and device settings.
Acktide uses a different path. The Android app runs a foreground service and keeps a WebSocket connection directly to your installation. The server that receives the Alertmanager event delivers it to the device itself. There is no push delivery intermediary between your server and the phone.
FCM is still available as an optional addition. If you have a Firebase configuration and want to use it, enable it in the settings. Acktide does not require it.
What this changes
Private networks
With monitoring and Acktide inside your network and the phone connected directly, you control the data path. Leave optional FCM and external integrations disabled if they do not meet your network requirements.
Direct connection
Acktide handles delivery and acknowledgments. Your team operates the server, database and network access to the installation.
What still needs to work
Background delivery requires Android permissions and network access. Check both on the phones your team uses.
- The phone needs access to your server. If Acktide is only reachable inside a private network, external access requires a VPN.
- Manufacturers may restrict background apps aggressively. Allow auto-start, indirect launch and background operation in the phone’s settings; the app includes permission and connection diagnostics.
- After a force stop, Android blocks the app’s background operation. Open Acktide again to resume delivery.
- Test on-call phones after several hours in the background with normal power-saving settings. An AOSP emulator result does not replace testing your phone model and firmware.