# Push notifications

Push notifications are messages sent directly to a user's device from Bird. They appear as alerts or banners on the user's screen, even when the app isn't open, making them a powerful tool for engaging with your audience in real-time.

### How to install push notifications

{% hint style="warning" %}
Unlike our other channels, you'll need help from your engineering team to install push notifications.
{% endhint %}

To [install push notifications](https://docs.bird.com/api/client-sdks/applications) in Bird, you'll need to set up a few things so that Bird can communicate with the services that handle notifications for Android and iOS devices.

### How to use push notifications with other Bird products

You can send push notification [campaigns](https://docs.bird.com/applications/campaigns) or individual messages as part of user [journeys](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/broken-reference). This allows you to tailor your communications based on user behavior or other triggers, ensuring that your messages are both timely and relevant.

{% content-ref url="../../../content/message-templates/how-to/create-push-notifications-message-templates" %}
[create-push-notifications-message-templates](https://docs.bird.com/applications/content/message-templates/how-to/create-push-notifications-message-templates)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="../../../campaigns/push-notifications/how-to/send-a-push-notification-campaign" %}
[send-a-push-notification-campaign](https://docs.bird.com/applications/campaigns/push-notifications/how-to/send-a-push-notification-campaign)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Capabilities and use cases

Let's take a look at why push notifications can work for you.

<details>

<summary>Common use cases</summary>

* New feature notifications
* Promotions
* Important updates
* Order status notifications
* Abandoned cart reminders

</details>