How do you handle Firebase push notifications in Spring Boot?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Setting Up Firebase for Push Notifications
  • Prerequisites
• Sending Push Notifications in Spring Boot
  • Implementing FCM Notification Service
• Practical Example: Targeted Notifications
  • Example Use Case
• Conclusion

Introduction

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) allows developers to send push notifications to client applications across multiple platforms. In a Spring Boot application, you can integrate FCM to handle notification sending efficiently. This guide explains how to configure and implement Firebase push notifications in a Spring Boot application, including practical examples.

Setting Up Firebase for Push Notifications

Prerequisites

1. Firebase Project Setup:
   Create a project in the Firebase Console.
   Enable Cloud Messaging under the project settings.

2. Download Service Account Key:
   Obtain the Firebase service account key JSON file and add it to your src/main/resources directory.

3. Add Firebase Admin SDK Dependency:
   Include the Firebase Admin SDK in your pom.xml file.

4. Initialize Firebase in Spring Boot:
   Configure Firebase in your application as shown below:

Sending Push Notifications in Spring Boot

Implementing FCM Notification Service

1. Service Class for Sending Notifications:

2. Controller Endpoint to Send Notifications:

Practical Example: Targeted Notifications

Example Use Case

• Client App: A mobile application sends its unique FCM token to the backend during user registration.
• Backend: The Spring Boot application stores the token and uses it to send targeted push notifications.

1. Frontend Workflow:

   • Retrieve the device's FCM token using Firebase SDK.
   • Send the token to the Spring Boot backend.

2. Backend Notification Sending:

   • Call the /notifications/send endpoint with a title, body, and the target token.

   Example Request:

Conclusion

Integrating Firebase push notifications into a Spring Boot application is straightforward with the Firebase Admin SDK. By sending push notifications programmatically, you can deliver real-time updates to your users, enhancing engagement and communication. Whether for marketing or system alerts, handling FCM in Spring Boot is efficient and scalable.