[cocoto]

I’m now an iOS user but the problem is actually the same here : apps not respecting communication channels to push ads (mostly to their own app or service). I usually fully block notifications from most apps but for some apps the notifications are really convenient (carpooling, transport or delivery app). Yes I want to know if the train I booked is delayed. No I don’t want to be notified that you are now partnering with another transport company and that you are sharing 5% off coupons to try it… I systematically give a 1 star review explaining the issue and mail the devs if possible. I even think that Apple Store and Play Store ToSs are against this practice but they are not enforcing it sadly…

[radlad]

Worse even because iOS doesn't offer notification groups/channels like Android does (ignoring the fact that market leaders like Uber, DoorDash, etc. eschew them in favor of "General" channels they can pump both delivery/ride info and ads through.)

IMO this needs to be an app guideline enforced by the iOS App Store and Play Store. I remember back in the day, iOS used to be known for having less spammy notifications.

[plagiarist]

I remember when I first started seeing obvious ads in notifications and assumed Apple would come down hard. I wish I had been right.

If any app abuses the notifications at all I turn them all off, that's the only way to stop it. If the notifications are required for the app's operation, well, then I have to delete the app.

Society has fucked itself over allowing these to exist.

[wincy]

My United Healthcare app told me I had 43 notifications. I just turned it off. There’s literally never a time they need to notify me via a push notification on my phone.

[_carbyau_]

Society has fucked itself over allowing everyone to be dependant on software entirely from two american companies.

20 years ago the idea that I'd have to have an account with an american company so as to be able to interact with so much of my on-another-continent society would be ridiculous!

Now it is the default. It is sad.

[dewey]

Apple doesn’t even follow that guideline (It exists) themselves and is happily using push notifications for ads.

[oblio]

> IMO this needs to be an app guideline enforced by the iOS App Store and Play Store.

Yeah, but... money.

[radlad]

Maybe this matters at the bottom end of the market, but it's mainly the top players I see take this approach to notifications. DoorDash, Uber, and the social media platforms all have incentive to stay on the official app stores.

I expect the bottom end of the market is also dependent on the official app stores to make money. What real alternatives do users have, especially with sideloading on Android now requiring Google bless your APK anyway? (edit: Looks like Google has started to walk this back slightly. Even still. https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-de...)

[benterix]

I chose the hard way and disabled them anyway. If I want to know if a train is delayed, I check. If I wait for a driver, I check. Actually the latter is better as I'm not surprised by the guy arriving but can synchronize well. And frankly, I don't complain.

And every evening or so I sit down on my computer and check WhatsApp notifications on web.whatsapp.com to catch up with what's going on in groups people added me to. I find this quite good for my well-being.