When to request permission for notifications?

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I wanted to share a bit of UX here related to when is the best time to ask your app user for permission to show notifications.

What’s bad UX?

It’s very common (unfortunately) that apps would prompt the request as soon as the user opens the app or signs up.

This is bad UX. Why? Because the user has no context. Why are you asking permission now? What is happening in the app that requires notifications to be enabled at this exact moment? Most probably, nothing.

What’s good UX?

Ask permission for notifications when the user is taking an action that will require notifications to be presented.

Simple example with a to-do list app:

  1. The user downloads the app and opens it: Do not request permission for notifications here.
  2. The user signs up to the app: Do not request permission for notifications here.
  3. The user creates a to-do task and does not create a reminder: Do not request permission for notifications here.
  4. The user creates a to-do task and does create a reminder: Here is where you ask for permission for notifications.

From the user’s perspective, it makes total sense because they are taking an action that will require such notification.

I hope this helps.

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