I’m encountering an issue with background notification handling in my React Native app using React Native Firebase on iOS.
Problem Description:
Scenario: When my app is killed and another app is in the foreground, setBackgroundMessageHandler doesn’t execute for FCM notifications.
Expected Behavior: I expect setBackgroundMessageHandler to trigger even when the app is killed, enabling background tasks.
Actual Behavior: The handler only functions when no other app is in the foreground.
Environment:
React Native: 0.71.8
React Native Firebase Messaging: ~15.4.0
iOS Version: 16.3.1
Notifee: 7.7.1
Device Model: iPhone 10 (physical device)
Configuration:
FCM Setup: All good, please believe me;
Background Modes: “Remote notifications” enabled in Xcode;
// payload for fcm server
{
"to": "---this-is-correct-believe-me---",
"content_available":true,
"priority":"high",
"apns": {
"payload": {
"aps": {
"alert": {
"title": "Test Push",
"body": "Success! Push notification ! 🎉",
"sound": "default"
}
}
},
"headers": {
"apns-push-type": "background",
"apns-priority": "10",
"apns-topic": "---this-is-also-correct-believe-me---"
}
},
"notification": {
"title": "Test Push",
"body": "Success! Push notification! 🎉",
"sound": "default"
},
"data": {
"movieName": "",
}
}
Troubleshooting Attempts:
Adjusted apns-priority: Tried setting it to 10, but no change.
Reviewed Payload: Verified notification and data fields are present.
Also, I’m using the setBackgroundMessageHandler and onMessage methods as mentioned in the rnfirebase doc.
Seeking guidance on:
Potential causes for this behavior.
Troubleshooting steps to ensure reliable background handling in all scenarios.
Best practices for managing background tasks in React Native Firebase on iOS.




