Auto starting Chrome / Edge to get Push Notifications

In this blog, we focus on two actions - push notifications and enabling the option to auto start your PWA app upon sign in, across two different browsers - Chrome or - if you’re using Windows, then Edge. Read on to learn more about what you can expect when using your PWA app with either browser as well as the steps you need to take to never miss a call notification again. Read on to learn more.

What is a Progressive Web App (PWA)?

First off, let’s take a look at what we mean when we talk about a PWA app. PWA is short for Progressive Web Applications. They’ve become increasingly popular as a way to provide users with an app-like experience whilst still being accessible through a web browser. However, there are some differences in how PWAs behave in different browsers, especially when it comes to push notifications. We’ll take a look at the Chrome browser first and then Microsoft Edge.

Auto Starting Google Chrome

To receive push notifications on Chrome, you must have at least one Chrome window open or the Chrome PWA app. If one or the other is not open, push notifications will not work.

To ensure you always get your call notifications, auto start the PWA app on sign-in. Here’s how:

  1. Click on 3 vertical dots in PWA and select “App info”
  2. Then click on "Settings" and enable the option to “Start App when you sign in”
  3. Next time you sign into your Windows machine the 3CX PWA app will be automatically started.
  4. Chrome options > System node > Enable the option “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed”

Unfortunately, even though you have to enable the option "Continue running background app..." if you close all browser windows and the PWA app too, you will not receive any call notifications.

Auto Starting Microsoft Edge

If you’re using Windows we recommend using Edge too. Push notifications in MS Edge work differently from Chrome. MS Edge is started on Windows sign-in and keeps running as a background process. This is the case even when you close all Edge / PWA windows if the option "Startup Boost", in Edge settings > System and Performance is enabled.

Edge is always running background processes. This explains why - even if you close all Edge browser windows or the Edge PWA window - you still receive push notifications via Edge. As a User, you can enable the option in PWA to “Start app when you sign in” by doing the following:

  1. Once you click to install the PWA app in Edge and it launches you will see the following options:
    1. To enable “Auto- Start on device login”. Next time you sign into your Windows machine the 3CX Edge PWA app will be automatically started.
    2. To continue running background apps when the browser is closed - make sure this option is set to ON. "Edge options > System and Performance > Enable the option “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed”.

Push Notifications on macOS

On macOS you don’t get the option to “Enable Startup Boost for Edge”. However, if you close the PWA app and the browser windows using the X in macOS, you’ll see underneath your browser icon a small dot. This is the case whether you’re using Edge or Chrome.

browser logos on macOS

The small dot means the browser processes are still running so you’ll continue to receive push notifications. If you open Edge and select "Microsoft Edge > Quit Microsoft Edge" or you do the same for Chrome, all browser processes are terminated and you will no longer Push notifications.

Check out our user manual and find out how easy it is to use the 3CX PWA!