Bubble.io Notifications: Email, In-App, Push and SMS Explained

Updated October 2026 · By Athar Ahmad, certified Bubble.io developer and founder of SA Solutions

Notifications keep users coming back: a new message, a task assigned, a booking confirmed, a payment due. Done well, they make your app feel alive and useful; done badly, they become noise that users switch off. This guide covers every notification channel in Bubble.io, how to build each one, and how to give users control so your notifications stay welcome.

Choosing the right channel

Match urgency to channel: in-app for routine activity, email for records, push or SMS only for things that genuinely need attention now.

In-app notifications

1. Create a Notification data type: recipient, type (option set), message, link, related record, read (yes/no)
2. In each relevant workflow, such as a new comment, create a notification for the right recipient
3. Add a bell icon showing the count of the current user’s unread notifications
4. A dropdown or page lists notifications; clicking one marks it read and opens the link
5. Add mark all as read, and protect notifications with privacy rules so users only see their own

Bubble.io refreshes searches in real time, so the unread count updates without a page reload.

Email notifications

Use email for confirmations, receipts and important updates, sent from your own authenticated domain so it reaches the inbox. Our transactional email guide covers providers, templates and SPF, DKIM and DMARC.

Push notifications

Native mobile apps built with Bubble.io can send push notifications to users who grant permission, see Bubble.io native mobile apps. For web apps, a push service such as OneSignal can be connected through a plugin or the API Connector. Ask for permission at a meaningful moment, such as after a first booking, rather than on the first visit.

SMS and WhatsApp

SMS and WhatsApp are powerful for reminders, such as appointments, deliveries and payments. Connect a provider such as Twilio through the API Connector, get clear opt-in, and remember that WhatsApp business messages generally need pre-approved templates. See messaging integrations for setup details.

User preferences and digests

• Add a preferences page where users choose notification types and channels
• Respect those preferences in every workflow with an Only when condition
• Batch low-priority activity into a daily or weekly digest with a scheduled backend workflow
• Include an easy unsubscribe link in non-essential emails

Reliable delivery

• Send notifications from backend workflows so they run even if the user leaves; see backend workflows
• Schedule reminders relative to events, and cancel them if the event changes
• Log what was sent, when and on which channel, for troubleshooting
• Handle provider errors so a failed SMS does not stop the rest of the workflow

Building team features too? See team features in Bubble.io for mentions, assignments and activity feeds.

Frequently asked questions

How do I build in-app notifications in Bubble.io?

Create a Notification data type with a recipient, message, link and read flag. Workflows create notifications when events happen, a bell icon shows the unread count, and opening a notification marks it as read. Bubble.io updates searches in real time, so new notifications appear without refreshing.

Can Bubble.io send push notifications?

Yes. Native mobile apps built with Bubble.io can send push notifications, and web apps can use a push service such as OneSignal through a plugin or the API Connector. Users must give permission before receiving push notifications.

How do I send SMS or WhatsApp notifications from Bubble.io?

Use a messaging provider such as Twilio through the API Connector. WhatsApp business messages generally require approved message templates and user opt-in.

How do I stop users getting too many notifications?

Let users choose which notifications they receive and on which channels, batch low-priority updates into a daily or weekly digest, and avoid sending the same alert on every channel at once.

Should notifications be sent from frontend or backend workflows?

Backend workflows are better for notifications, especially scheduled ones such as reminders and digests, because they run reliably on the server even after the user who triggered them has left.