Apple Deprecating Legacy Binaries for Push Notification Service on November 2020, Recommends Developers Update Soon - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Deprecating Legacy Binaries for Push Notification Service on November 2020, Recommends Developers Update Soon

by

applepushnotificationapisApple today sent out a notice to developers urging those that continue to send push notifications with the legacy binary protocol to update to the HTTP/2-based APNs (Apple Push Notification service) Provider API as soon as possible.

Apple says that developers will be able to take advantage of features like authentication with a JSON Web Token, improved error messaging, and per-notification feedback.

More information on the Apple Push Notification service Provider API can be found on Apple's website.

Apple's Push Notification service will no longer support the legacy binary protocol starting in November 2020, so developers that continue to use the older protocol will need to update before that date.

Top Rated Comments

DTeam Avatar
90 months ago

these deprecations give apps an eventual expiration date. Other platforms don't do this as much.
Funny you say that, because on the topic of push notifications, both Google and Microsoft have deprecated (and killed) their previous APIs, while Apple still supported the original one.

Apps won't stop working. Some might not get push notifications anymore, but most who don't migrate probably don't have them working anymore, anyway. This is only a server side change.


It means that eventually down the line everyone has to buy new hardware that can run a version of iOS that supports this if they want to revel in the glories (or shackles) of the walled garden.
No they won't. At least not because of this depreciation: this only means that backend developers have to update their code.

Most already migrated to the new API, or use providers that have. This has literally no incidence on whether your phone can run an app or not, and it's nothing buying new hardware will fix.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stephen.R Avatar
90 months ago
Heading should say “binary protocol” not “binaries”
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
90 months ago
I wish Apple would stabilize their APIs so that these deprecations would end.

It's sad when old apps won't work anymore because newer versions of iOS break them. Some apps are no longer maintained but still have value; these deprecations give apps an eventual expiration date. Other platforms don't do this as much.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stiligFox Avatar
90 months ago
I wonder what this means for older apps that can’t be updated, or older devices that can’t run new apps...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
90 months ago

I wish Apple would stabilize their APIs so that these deprecations would end.

It's sad when old apps won't work anymore because newer versions of iOS break them. Some apps are no longer maintained but still have value; these deprecations give apps an eventual expiration date. Other platforms don't do this as much.
Other platform do this all the time. If you think that any API's can be "stable", you are very much mistaken. Software is something that always need to be maintained and updated, and leaving a ten-year-old API behind is natural as better protocols are adopted. Not to mention this is a server-side change that doesn't have anything to do with iOS versions and doesn't affect any in-app functionalities.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
90 months ago
@everyone complaining about Apple keeping their APIs up to date...

WTF?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
Since 2023, Apple's newer iPhones have had an 80 percent charge limit for those who want to extend battery lifespan. Charging to 80 percent instead of 100 percent is supposed to put less stress on the battery, improving longevity. For the last three years, I've used that setting on my iPhone. I started with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, then did the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and most recently, the iPhone...
MagSafe 3 Cable Midnight Feature

Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update

Monday October 5, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
For the first time since February 2023, Apple has released a firmware update for the MagSafe 3 charging cable for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Specifically, Apple last week released firmware version 3.2.0 for the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. The previous firmware version for the cable was 3.1.12. It is unclear what is included in the latest firmware, as Apple does not publish release...
Prime Big Deal Days 25 Red and Green

Amazon Launches Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...
Latest Stories
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
1 hour ago
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
12 hours ago
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
12 hours ago
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
14 hours ago
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
16 hours ago
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
16 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
17 hours ago
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
17 hours ago
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
17 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
18 hours ago
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
19 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
19 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
20 hours ago
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
20 hours ago
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
20 hours ago
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
21 hours ago
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
16 hours ago
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
22 hours ago
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
22 hours ago
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
23 hours ago
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
4 hours ago
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
1 day ago
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
1 day ago
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
1 day ago
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
2 days ago
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
2 days ago
tvOS 27.2 Code Hints at Apple Intelligence for New Apple TV
tvOS 27.2 Code Hints at Apple Intelligence for New Apple TV
2 days ago
Apple Seeds Third macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
Apple Seeds Third macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
2 days ago
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
2 days ago
Apple Releases Third iOS 27.2 Beta
Apple Releases Third iOS 27.2 Beta
2 days ago