app_badger 3.0.0

A Flutter plugin to update app badge count on Android, iOS, and macOS. Supports launcher-specific badge APIs on Android, native badge handling on iOS, and Dock tile badges on macOS.

app_badger Flutter Plugin

A Flutter plugin to manage app badge counts on Android, iOS, and macOS. It supports launcher-specific badge APIs on Android devices such as Xiaomi, Samsung, HTC, Sony, Huawei, and OPPO, native badge handling on iOS, and Dock tile badges on macOS.

Version 3.0.0 Highlights

Latest Release

• ✅ Current stable version: 3.0.0
• 🖥️ macOS support added: Dock tile badge management via NSApplication.shared.dockTile
• 🔢 New APIs: getBadgeCount(), incrementBadge(), decrementBadge(), getDeviceManufacturer(), getDeviceBrand(), getPermissionStatus()
• 🔄 BadgeLifecycleObserver mixin: Auto-clears badge on app foreground
• 📊 BadgePermissionStatus enum: Fine-grained permission introspection
• ✅ updateBadgeCount / removeBadge now return Future<bool> for success/failure signalling

v2.x Platform Updates

• ✨ Swift Package Manager (SPM): iOS and macOS plugins use SPM layout for modern Flutter compatibility
• 🚀 AGP 9+ ready: Android build uses the built-in Kotlin path
• 📢 Notification-based badge fallback: Improves badge reliability on newer Android devices
• 🔐 Runtime permission handling: AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() supports Android 13+ and iOS

Included Features

• 📱 Badge update and removal API
• 🐛 Improved logging for troubleshooting
• 📚 Platform-specific setup and migration guidance
• ✅ Support for modern Flutter and native platform tooling

Installation

To use the app_badger plugin in your Flutter project, add it to your pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  app_badger: ^3.0.0

Or for local development:

dependencies:
  app_badger:
    path: ../

Then, run the following command in the terminal:

flutter pub get

Required Setup

Android Setup

The plugin now uses a dual-path badge delivery system:

1. ShortcutBadger: Native launcher badge API (primary, fastest)
2. Notification-Based Fallback: System notification with badge count (reliable on modern devices)

1. Add Required Permissions to AndroidManifest.xml

Add the needed permissions inside the <manifest> tag in your android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml file:

<!-- Required on Android 13+ for notification-based badge updates -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS" />

<!-- Optional launcher permissions for device-specific badge support -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.android.launcher.permission.UNINSTALL_SHORTCUT" />

<!-- Permissions for Samsung -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE" />

<!-- Permissions for HTC -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT" />

<!-- Permissions for Sony -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER_INSERT_BADGE" />

<!-- Permissions for Apex -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT" />

<!-- Permissions for Solid -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE" />

<!-- Permissions for Huawei -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.CHANGE_BADGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.huawei.android.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />

<!-- Permissions for ZUK -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_APP_BADGE" />

<!-- Permissions for OPPO -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.oppo.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.oppo.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />

<!-- Permissions for EvMe -->
<uses-permission android:name="me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_READ" />
<uses-permission android:name="me.everything.badger.permission.BADGE_COUNT_WRITE" />

<!-- Permissions for Vivo -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.vivo.notification.permission.BADGE_ICON" />

<!-- Permissions for OnePlus -->
<uses-permission android:name="net.oneplus.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="net.oneplus.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />

<!-- Permissions for LG -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.lge.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.lge.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />

<!-- Permissions for Realme -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.coloros.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.coloros.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />

<!-- Permissions for Nova Launcher -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.teslacoilsw.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.teslacoilsw.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />

2. Request Notification Permission on Startup

Add this to your app's initialization code (e.g., main() or MyApp.initState()):

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

@override
void initState() {
  super.initState();
  // Request permission when app launches
  AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission();
}

This ensures POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission is granted on Android 13+ before any badge updates.

iOS Setup

The plugin uses Apple's UNUserNotificationCenter for badge management. No CocoaPods integration needed (uses Swift Package Manager).

1. Add Notification Description to Info.plist

Add the following to your ios/Runner/Info.plist:

<key>NSUserNotificationUsageDescription</key>
<string>Notifications are required to display app badges</string>

2. Request Permission on Startup

Same as Android - call AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() on app startup:

@override
void initState() {
  super.initState();
  // Request permission when app launches
  AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission();
}

macOS Setup

The plugin uses NSApplication.shared.dockTile.badgeLabel for Dock tile badge management. No notification permission is required — macOS Dock badges are a native OS-level UI feature that works without any entitlements or user permission dialogs.

No special setup required

macOS Dock badges work out of the box in any sandboxed Flutter app. You do not need to:

• Add NSUserNotificationUsageDescription to Info.plist
• Add any special entitlements (avoid com.apple.developer.usernotifications.time-sensitive — it requires a paid Apple Developer certificate and is not needed for badges)
• Call requestNotificationPermission() for Dock badge functionality

Simply call:

await AppBadger.updateBadgeCount(5); // Shows "5" on the Dock icon immediately

Note: If you also want to send macOS notification banners (separate from Dock badges), you may optionally call AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() to request UNUserNotificationCenter authorization.

Additional Requirement: Notifications

Badge count updates should be triggered by local or push notifications. Call AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() on app startup to ensure permissions are granted.

Usage

Complete Initialization Example

Here's how to initialize badges properly on app startup:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(const MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatefulWidget {
  const MyApp({super.key});

  @override
  State<MyApp> createState() => _MyAppState();
}

class _MyAppState extends State<MyApp> {
  @override
  void initState() {
    super.initState();
    _initializeBadges();
  }

  Future<void> _initializeBadges() async {
    // Request notification permission on app startup
    bool granted = await AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission();
    print("Notification permission granted: $granted");
    
    // Check if badge is supported
    bool isSupported = await AppBadger.isBadgeSupported();
    print("Badge supported: $isSupported");
  }

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        appBar: AppBar(title: const Text('App Badger Example')),
        body: Center(
          child: Column(
            mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.center,
            children: [
              ElevatedButton(
                onPressed: () => AppBadger.updateBadgeCount(5),
                child: const Text('Set Badge to 5'),
              ),
              ElevatedButton(
                onPressed: () => AppBadger.removeBadge(),
                child: const Text('Remove Badge'),
              ),
            ],
          ),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

Update Badge Count

To update the badge count on supported devices:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _updateBadge() async {
  bool success = await AppBadger.updateBadgeCount(5); // Set badge count to 5
  print("Badge updated: $success");
}

Remove Badge

To remove the badge count:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _removeBadge() async {
  bool success = await AppBadger.removeBadge(); // Remove badge
  print("Badge removed: $success");
}

Get Current Badge Count

Retrieve the current persisted badge count (returns 0 if unknown):

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _getBadgeCount() async {
  int count = await AppBadger.getBadgeCount();
  print("Current badge count: $count");
}

Increment / Decrement Badge

Convenience helpers to increment or decrement the badge by one:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _handleNewNotification() async {
  int newCount = await AppBadger.incrementBadge();
  print("Badge incremented to: $newCount");
}

void _handleReadNotification() async {
  int newCount = await AppBadger.decrementBadge();
  print("Badge decremented to: $newCount");
}

Get Device Manufacturer / Brand

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _getDeviceInfo() async {
  String manufacturer = await AppBadger.getDeviceManufacturer();
  String brand = await AppBadger.getDeviceBrand();
  print("Device: $manufacturer / $brand");
  // Android example: "samsung" / "samsung"
  // iOS / macOS: "Apple" / "Apple"
}

Get Detailed Permission Status

Query the fine-grained BadgePermissionStatus enum:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _checkPermissionStatus() async {
  final status = await AppBadger.getPermissionStatus();
  switch (status) {
    case BadgePermissionStatus.granted:
      print("Permission granted — badges will work.");
      break;
    case BadgePermissionStatus.denied:
      print("Permission denied — prompt user to open settings.");
      AppBadger.openNotificationSettings();
      break;
    case BadgePermissionStatus.notDetermined:
      print("Permission not yet requested — call requestNotificationPermission().");
      await AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission();
      break;
    case BadgePermissionStatus.restricted:
      print("Permission restricted by system (iOS).");
      break;
    case BadgePermissionStatus.provisional:
      print("Provisional permission (iOS) — limited delivery.");
      break;
  }
}

Auto-Clear Badge on App Resume (BadgeLifecycleObserver)

Add the BadgeLifecycleObserver mixin to any State to automatically clear the badge when the app comes to the foreground:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

class _HomePageState extends State<HomePage> with BadgeLifecycleObserver {
  @override
  void initState() {
    super.initState();
    initBadgeLifecycle(); // register lifecycle observer
  }

  @override
  void dispose() {
    disposeBadgeLifecycle(); // unregister lifecycle observer
    super.dispose();
  }

  // Set to false to disable auto-clear on resume
  // clearBadgeOnResume = false;

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) => Scaffold(
    appBar: AppBar(title: const Text('Home')),
    body: const Center(child: Text('Badge clears when you return to this screen')),
  );
}

Firebase Push Integration Example

Integrate with Firebase Cloud Messaging to update the badge from a push notification:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';
import 'package:firebase_messaging/firebase_messaging.dart';

// Background message handler (top-level function)
@pragma('vm:entry-point')
Future<void> _firebaseMessagingBackgroundHandler(RemoteMessage message) async {
  final badgeData = message.data['badge'];
  if (badgeData != null) {
    final count = int.tryParse(badgeData.toString()) ?? 0;
    await AppBadger.updateBadgeCount(count);
  } else {
    await AppBadger.incrementBadge();
  }
}

// In your app initialization:
void _setupFirebaseMessaging() {
  FirebaseMessaging.onBackgroundMessage(_firebaseMessagingBackgroundHandler);

  FirebaseMessaging.onMessage.listen((RemoteMessage message) async {
    // Foreground message: increment badge
    await AppBadger.incrementBadge();
  });

  FirebaseMessaging.onMessageOpenedApp.listen((RemoteMessage message) async {
    // App opened from notification: clear badge
    await AppBadger.removeBadge();
  });
}

Request Notification Permission

To request POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission (Android 13+) and notification permission (iOS):

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _requestPermission() async {
  bool granted = await AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission();
  print("Permission granted: $granted");
}

This method:

• Android 13+: Requests the POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission at runtime
• Android <13: Returns true (permission not required)
• iOS / macOS: Requests notification permission with badge, sound, and alert options
• Returns true if permission was granted, false otherwise

Recommended: Call this method when your app first launches to ensure badge notifications work properly.

Check Notification Status

To check if the badge functionality is supported on the device:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _checkBadgeSupport() async {
  bool isSupported = await AppBadger.isBadgeSupported();
  print("Badge supported: $isSupported");
}

Check Notification Enabled Status

To check if notifications are currently enabled for your app:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _checkNotificationStatus() async {
  bool isEnabled = await AppBadger.isNotificationEnabled();
  print("Notifications enabled: $isEnabled");
}

Open Notification Settings

To open the app's notification settings (useful if user denies permission):

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

void _openSettings() {
  AppBadger.openNotificationSettings();
}

Glassmorphism Badge (In-App UI)

For using the glassmorphism badge in your app's UI:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

Stack(
  alignment: Alignment.topRight,
  children: [
    Icon(Icons.notifications, size: 48),
    GlassMorphismBadge(count: 7),
  ],
)

Glassmorphism Container (UI Backgrounds)

For using the glassmorphism container in your app's UI:

import 'package:app_badger/app_badger.dart';

GlassMorphismContainer(
  child: Column(
    children: [
      // ...your widgets...
    ],
  ),
)

Platform Requirements

iOS

• Minimum iOS Version: 10.0+
• Swift Package Manager: Required (fully aligned in v3.0.0)
• UIScene Lifecycle: Required for iOS 13+

macOS

• Minimum macOS Version: 10.14 (Mojave)+
• Swift Package Manager: Supported (CocoaPods also supported via macos/app_badger.podspec)
• Badge delivery: Via NSApplication.shared.dockTile.badgeLabel — no permission or entitlements required
• No special entitlements needed: Do not add com.apple.developer.usernotifications.time-sensitive — it requires a paid developer certificate and is not needed for Dock badges

Android

• Minimum Android API: 21 (Android 5.0+)
• Gradle Plugin: AGP 8.11+ (no Kotlin Gradle Plugin needed)
• Kotlin: 2.0+
• Runtime Permissions: POST_NOTIFICATIONS (Android 13+)

Migration Guide: v1.x → v2.x

If you're upgrading from v1.x, here are the key changes:

iOS Changes

1. CocoaPods removed - Delete your ios/Podfile and ios/Pods directory if present
2. Swift Package Manager - Now required (automatically handled by Flutter)
3. No manual plugin registration - Plugin is auto-discovered via SPM

Action Required:

• Run flutter clean and flutter pub get
• Remove Podfile references from git history
• Run flutter build ios --no-codesign to rebuild

Android Changes

1. Plugin no longer applies Kotlin Gradle Plugin - Only needed at app level
2. Notification permission handling - Now done via AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission()
3. XiaomiHomeBadger receiver removed - No longer needed from example

Action Required:

• Update your app's build.gradle.kts (example provided in plugin repo)
• Call AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() on app startup
• Ensure POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission is in AndroidManifest.xml

Flutter/Dart Changes (v3.0.x → v3.0.0)

1. updateBadgeCount and removeBadge now return Future<bool> — update any callers that used await without capturing the result
2. New methods: getBadgeCount(), incrementBadge(), decrementBadge(), getDeviceManufacturer(), getDeviceBrand(), getPermissionStatus()
3. New mixin: BadgeLifecycleObserver for automatic badge clearing on resume
4. New enum: BadgePermissionStatus for detailed permission introspection

Flutter/Dart Changes (v1.x → v2.x)

1. New method: AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() - Call on app startup
2. Improved logging - Use flutter logs | grep AppBadger for debugging
3. Same API - All existing methods (updateBadgeCount, removeBadge, etc.) remain unchanged

Action Required:

• Add permission request to your initState() or main app initialization
• No changes needed to badge update calls

Android Background Badge Disappearance

On Android, app icon badges may disappear when the app enters the background on certain devices/launchers. This is a known platform limitation:

• Root Cause: Many Android launchers only refresh badge visibility when the app process is active (in foreground). When your app backgrounded, the launcher may clear the badge display even though the badge count is internally stored.
• Affected Devices: This behavior is launcher-dependent (Stock Android, Samsung, MIUI, OnePlus, etc. all handle badges differently).
• Workaround: Ensure notifications are enabled:
  1. Check device notification settings for your app
  2. Verify POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission is granted (Android 13+)
  3. Consider using push notifications to "refresh" the badge when needed
  4. Some launchers have badge visibility settings in launcher preferences

Device-Specific Support

Badge functionality varies significantly across Android devices:

• Stock Android Launcher: Full badge support via notification
• Samsung: Requires specific com.sec.android.provider.badge permissions
• Xiaomi MIUI: Requires broadcast integration
• Other devices (HTC, Sony, OPPO, etc.): Requires device-specific permissions and broadcast receivers

Badge State on App Open

app_badger does not automatically clear, decrease, or hide the badge when your app is opened or returns to the foreground.

• Android: The last badge count remains until your app explicitly calls AppBadger.removeBadge() or AppBadger.updateBadgeCount(0).
• iOS: The badge count also remains unchanged until your app explicitly sets a new count or removes it.
• macOS: Same as iOS — explicitly call removeBadge() or use BadgeLifecycleObserver.
• Important: If you want badges cleared when users open the app, use BadgeLifecycleObserver or implement that behavior in your app lifecycle code.

Limitations

These are the remaining limitations in app_badger. Items marked ✅ have been resolved in v3.0.0.

Area	Status
macOS support	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — full Dock tile badge support
Read current badge count	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — getBadgeCount() API
Increment / decrement helpers	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — incrementBadge() / decrementBadge()
Manufacturer / device introspection	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — getDeviceManufacturer() / getDeviceBrand()
Automatic lifecycle sync	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — BadgeLifecycleObserver mixin
Fine-grained permission API	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — getPermissionStatus() + BadgePermissionStatus enum
Return-value detail	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — updateBadgeCount / removeBadge return Future<bool>
Vendor-specific breadth	✅ Improved in v3.0.0 — added Vivo, LG, Nova, OnePlus, Realme permissions
Background push integration examples	✅ Improved in v3.0.0 — Firebase FCM integration example added
Badge persistence API	✅ Improved in v3.0.0 — Android persists via SharedPreferences; iOS reads live icon badge number; getBadgeCount() API added
No-setup Android story	✅ Improved in v3.0.0 — comprehensive AndroidManifest.xml permissions provided; requestNotificationPermission() simplifies setup
Badge is not auto-cleared on app open	✅ Resolved in v3.0.0 — BadgeLifecycleObserver mixin automatically clears badge on resume
Android background badge visibility is launcher-dependent	✅ Improved in v3.0.0 — notification-based fallback significantly improves badge reliability even when app backgrounds
Badge support varies by Android manufacturer	✅ Improved in v3.0.0 — dual ShortcutBadger + notification approach ensures broader manufacturer and launcher support

Debugging Badge Issues

To debug badge issues, check the logcat output after running your app:

# View all app_badger logs
flutter logs | grep AppBadger

# Clear device logs and run
flutter logcat -c
flutter run
# Then in another terminal:
flutter logs | grep AppBadger

You'll see logs like:

AppBadger: applyBadgeCount called with count=5
AppBadger: Attempting ShortcutBadger.applyCount for count=5
AppBadger: ShortcutBadger.applyCount result: true
AppBadger: Notifications enabled: true
AppBadger: Posting badge notification with count=5
AppBadger: Badge notification posted successfully

If you see:

• ShortcutBadger.applyCount result: false - Device/launcher doesn't support badges
• Notifications enabled: false - Notifications are disabled, badge will only use ShortcutBadger broadcast
• Failed to post badge notification - Permission or system issue preventing notification posting

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue	Cause	Solution
MissingPluginException	Plugin not properly registered	Run flutter clean && flutter pub get && flutter run
Badge Not Showing	Notifications disabled or permission not granted	Call AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() on app startup
Badge Stays After Opening App	The plugin does not auto-clear badges on foreground/open	Use BadgeLifecycleObserver mixin or call AppBadger.removeBadge() when your app opens
Badge Disappears in Background	Android launcher limitation (common behavior)	Ensure notifications enabled; some launchers have badge visibility settings
Badge Only Works with Notifications	On some devices, badge needs active notification	Use notification-based badge delivery (automatic in v2.x)
Xiaomi Badge Not Working	Device-specific badge implementation	Ensure MIUI badge permissions are in AndroidManifest.xml
iOS Badge Not Showing	Notification permission not granted	Call AppBadger.requestNotificationPermission() in initState()
macOS Badge Not Showing	Dock tile update called off main thread	Ensure you're on a supported macOS version; try flutter clean && flutter run -d macos
Android Permission Denied	User rejected POST_NOTIFICATIONS request	Call AppBadger.openNotificationSettings() to guide user to enable

Debugging Checklist

1. Verify permissions are granted:

   bool isEnabled = await AppBadger.isNotificationEnabled();
   print("Notifications enabled: $isEnabled");
   

2. Check if badges are supported:

   bool supported = await AppBadger.isBadgeSupported();
   print("Badges supported: $supported");
   

3. View logs for detailed information:

   flutter logs | grep AppBadger
   

4. Verify platform setup:

   • Android: Check AndroidManifest.xml has POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission
   • iOS: Check Info.plist has NSUserNotificationUsageDescription
   • macOS: No setup required — Dock badges work without permissions or entitlements

5. Test on physical device:

   • Simulators/emulators may not fully support badge functionality
   • Test on real Android and iOS devices when possible

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to migrate from v1.x? A: Yes. The current v3.0.0 release requires iOS 10+ and Android AGP 8.11+. CocoaPods is no longer supported on iOS. See Migration Guide above.

Q: Why did the badge disappear when my app backgrounded? A: This is a known Android launcher limitation. Many launchers only show badges when the app is in foreground or actively receiving notifications. Ensure notifications are enabled in device settings.

Q: Does the plugin clear the badge automatically when the app opens? A: Not by default. Use BadgeLifecycleObserver mixin in your State class to automatically clear the badge when the app resumes. Otherwise call AppBadger.removeBadge() manually.

Q: Can I use the plugin without requesting permission? A: Permission is not strictly required to call badge methods, but badges work more reliably when permission is granted. Calling requestNotificationPermission() on startup is strongly recommended.

Q: Which Android devices/launchers are supported? A: The plugin supports most Android launchers including Stock Android, Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, Sony, Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, OnePlus, LG, Realme, Nova Launcher, and many others. Device-specific permissions are included in the example manifest.

Q: What's the difference between ShortcutBadger and notification-based badges? A: v2.x uses both: ShortcutBadger for native launcher badges (fastest) + notification-based fallback (most reliable on modern Android). The plugin automatically uses both for maximum compatibility.

Q: Do I need to use push notifications? A: Not required, but recommended for badges to persist. Use local notifications if needed to "refresh" the badge when your app backgrounds.

Q: Is iOS badge support different from Android? A: Yes, iOS uses UNUserNotificationCenter directly, while Android uses ShortcutBadger + notifications. The plugin abstracts these differences behind a unified API.

Q: Does macOS badge support require notifications or special entitlements? A: No. macOS Dock badges use NSApplication.shared.dockTile.badgeLabel, which is a native Dock UI API that works without any notification permission, Info.plist entries, or entitlements. Do not add com.apple.developer.usernotifications.time-sensitive — it requires a paid Apple Developer certificate and will cause build failures in development.

Contributing

Feel free to open issues or pull requests for any features or bug fixes. Please ensure:

• Code follows Dart/Swift/Kotlin best practices
• Contributions are tested on real iOS and Android devices
• New features include documentation updates