Mobile app notification support

Notifications from mobile apps are a handy way to receive communications and reminders. Here's a few things you should know to help make sure they work the way you want them to.

We offer 2 types of notifications:

• Push notifications – triggered from a city process and system to your phone
• Local notifications – triggered on your device (for example, bin collection reminders)

Smartphones come with many settings that allow you to control receiving of notifications. Some of these advanced settings can stop, delay or make notifications less obvious which can be confusing.

If you are not receiving notifications or they are arriving late, here are some things to try.

Check that the app is installed and up to date

You must have the City of Gold Coast app installed to receive push or Bin day notifications. You can download or update our mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

To ensure the address and notification are set up correctly:

1. Open the City of Gold Coast app
2. Tap 'Manage' on the Home Screen 'My bin day' widget
3. Remove your bin address by either swiping left on the address or tapping the 3 dot menu and 'Remove property'
4. Tap the '+' to re-enter your bin address

5. Remove and re-enter your bin address

6. Set up your notification for the address

Check notification permission settings

Apple phones

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap 'Notifications'
3. Find and tap the 'City of GC' app
4. Toggle 'Allow Notifications' to the ON position

Android phones

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap 'Apps and notifications'
3. Find and tap the 'City of GC' app
4. Toggle 'Allow Notifications' to the ON position

Reset notification settings for the app

Apple phones

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap 'Notifications'
3. Find and tap the 'City of GC' app
4. Toggle 'Allow Notifications' to the OFF position
5. Toggle 'Allow Notifications' to the ON position

Android phones

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap 'Apps and notifications'
3. Find and tap the 'City of GC' app
4. Toggle 'Allow Notifications' to the OFF position
5. Toggle 'Allow Notifications' to the ON position

Deactivate 'Do Not Disturb' mode (Android only)

This Android system setting stops most notifications to keep you distraction-free. By default, it stays off until you turn it on. If you may forget to deactivate it after a meeting or nap, it stops you from getting notifications.

To make an app exception in 'Do Not Disturb' mode:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Under 'General' tap 'Do Not Disturb'
3. Tap 'Add apps'
4. Select the City of GC app from the list

Check Focus mode

Focus mode comes with detailed controls that can impact notifications. Sometimes Focus settings are even shared between compatible devices.

Apple steps to allow notifications for Focus mode

1. Go to Settings > Focus.
2. Select a Focus, such as Do Not Disturb, Personal, Sleep, or Work.
3. Tap Apps.
4. Tap 'Allow Notifications From'.
5. If City of GC app is not showing, then tap '+' Add app option.
6. Find the City of GC app and add

Android steps to allow notifications for Focus mode

1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls
2. Select a Focus mode
3. Uncheck the box beside the City of GC app

Change background usage limits (Samsung only)

If you only use our app to receive bin day notifications, you may find that the app is put into a sleeping mode. This can impact notifications. Samsung phones have this mode built in.

To ensure the City of GC app does not get put into sleep mode:

1. Go to Settings and tap 'Battery and device care'
2. Tap 'Battery'
3. Make sure Power saving is switched off
4. Tap 'Background usage limits'
5. Tap 'Sleeping apps'
6. Remove City of GC app if listed
7. Go back one step
8. Tap 'Deep sleeping apps'
9. Remove City of GC app if listed
10. Tap 'Never auto sleeping apps'
11. Tap '+'
12. Add City of GC app

Deactivate 'Silent' mode (Apple only)

Silent mode turns off the notification sound. If you want to still hear incoming notifications from the City of Gold Coast app even when in Silent mode, you make an app exception.

1. Go to Settings > Focus
2. Select a Focus, such as Do Not Disturb, Personal, Sleep, or Work
3. Tap Apps
4. Tap 'Silence Notifications From'
5. If City of GC app is not showing, then tap '-' remove against the City of GC app

Check your notification history

If you're not sure when you started having trouble receiving notifications, you can check your notification history to pinpoint when it began.

Notifications not showing on a lock screen

Phones can receive notifications on the lock screen. If you don't receive alerts or visual banners on the lock screen, you may have turned off the feature.

Apple steps to see notifications on a lock screen

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Tap 'Show Previews'
3. Choose 'Always'

Android steps to see notifications on a lock screen

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Tap 'Notifications on lock screen'
3. Tap 'Show conversations, default, and silent' from the pop-up options

Deactivate app pausing in app info (Android only)

Android has a setting that pauses the activity of apps you haven't used in a while. Pausing an app doesn't uninstall it. Instead, it removes permissions, deletes temporary files, and stops notifications. Re-activate your apps using the following steps.

1. Long-press the City of GC app icon
2. Tap the 'i' in a circle symbol
3. Turn off 'Pause app activity if unused'

Check battery-saving settings

Battery Saver and low battery modes can prevent notifications from appearing. You can also check for battery saver apps that may be blocking notifications.

Check Internet connection

If your phone doesn't have a strong network connection, notifications may be delayed.

Turn off Flip to Shhh (Pixel only)

1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls
2. Select a 'Flip to Shhh'
3. Tap the 'Use Flip to Shhh toggle switch to off position