Send web push notifications from WordPress
Web push on WordPress works through the same InstantPWA snippet you add for install prompts — placed in header.php via Appearance → Theme File Editor → header.php, or a code-injection plugin like WPCode. Once a visitor opts in, you can send push notifications from your InstantPWA dashboard to anyone who granted permission, including installed home-screen users on iOS 16.4+.
Steps
- 1
Open header.php
Go to Appearance → Theme File Editor → header.php, or a code-injection plugin like WPCode.
- 2
Paste the InstantPWA snippet
Drop the one-line async script tag in the WordPress head section — no build step or dependency install.
- 3
Enable push in your dashboard
Turn on Web Push in InstantPWA settings and upload your notification icon and default badge.
- 4
Publish and collect opt-ins
Once live on WordPress, the popup asks for notification permission after install (or standalone, if you enable prompt-first push).
- 5
Send a test push
Send a test notification from the dashboard to your own opted-in browser before sending to all subscribers.
Constraints to know
- Editing header.php directly is wiped out on theme updates — use a child theme or WPCode's header/footer injection to survive updates.
- Works identically across Elementor, Divi, Astra and Kadence since the snippet lives in the theme shell, not the page builder's canvas.
FAQ
Does web push work without the visitor installing the app?+
On Chromium browsers and desktop, yes. On iOS Safari, push requires the visitor to add the site to their home screen first (iOS 16.4+).
Can I segment who receives a push?+
Yes — the InstantPWA dashboard supports targeting by page visited, device type and custom events you send from your site.
Is there anything WordPress-specific I need to configure for push?+
No — push registration is handled entirely by the InstantPWA snippet once it's live on WordPress; there's no separate push API key to manage.