ntfy lets scripts and services send push notifications to a phone through a simple HTTP request. You can run its server yourself, but self-hosting is not just installing the software: the default server is open to everyone, and instant iPhone delivery requires an upstream push service.
How ntfy sends a notification
ntfy is an HTTP-based publish/subscribe service. A publisher sends a message to a topic, and clients subscribed to that topic receive it. As the ntfy project puts it in its Getting started documentation, “ntfy lets you send push notifications to your phone or desktop via scripts from any computer, using simple HTTP PUT or POST requests.”
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You do not create a topic in advance: choose a topic name and publish to it. But topics are public on an unprotected server, so a hard-to-guess name can discourage casual discovery without providing real access control. Use authentication and topic permissions for messages that need protection.
Choose where to run ntfy
The official installation guide offers the server as a binary, OS package, or Docker image. Listed Linux architectures include amd64, armv7, and arm64. You can use an always-on Linux machine, an ARM single-board computer, or a hosted Linux instance; dedicated hardware is not required.
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For a basic server, run ntfy serve. Docker examples expose the web UI and API on port 80. Configuration can be supplied through a server YAML file, command-line flags, or environment variables. If you need messages to persist through restarts, configure the cache file and map storage for /var/cache/ntfy in your Docker deployment; consult the current configuration documentation for the exact settings.
Package instructions can change: the installation page says the Debian/Ubuntu repository moved to archive.ntfy.sh in September 2025. Follow that page for current commands rather than relying on an older install snippet.
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Secure the server before using it
A default ntfy server allows anyone to read and write topics. The configuration documentation describes authentication and authorization, including user and admin roles and per-topic read/write permissions. Decide who can publish and subscribe before putting sensitive or operational messages on a server reachable from the internet.
Use HTTPS. ntfy’s publishing documentation explains that Basic authentication only Base64-encodes credentials; it does not encrypt them. HTTPS protects credentials in transit. A private or unpredictable topic name is not a substitute for access controls.
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Send a notification from a script
Once the server is reachable and access is configured, publish with HTTP PUT or POST. The simplest form sends the message as the request body:
curl -d "Backup completed" https://ntfy.example.com/backup-alertsReplace the example host with your server and choose a topic that your intended phone client subscribes to. The same endpoint can be called from scripts or other HTTP-capable tools. ntfy’s publishing documentation covers options such as titles, tags, priority, click URLs, delayed delivery, Markdown, and attachments. Attachments require server-side storage configuration.
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Pick a phone client and understand delivery
The ntfy phone documentation lists Android apps through Google Play, F-Droid, and GitHub releases, and an iOS app through the App Store. A progressive web app is another option. The practical differences are chiefly about background delivery and the services involved:
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems| Receive method | Background delivery path | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Android, Google Play build | Uses Firebase Cloud Messaging, according to ntfy’s privacy policy. | Background notifications use Google push infrastructure. |
| Android, F-Droid build | Does not include Google services or Firebase; uses a foreground service to maintain a direct connection, according to the privacy policy. | Consider this build if avoiding Google services matters, while accounting for its different connection and background behavior. |
| iOS app | Uses Firebase Cloud Messaging via Apple Push Notification service, according to the privacy policy. | A self-hosted server needs an upstream push path for instant alerts. |
| Progressive web app | Requires Web Push configuration on a self-hosted server. | Check the current PWA compatibility table for supported browser and operating-system combinations. |
What iPhone self-hosting requires
Self-hosting ntfy alone does not guarantee instant iPhone alerts. iOS restricts background processing; for instant push, the self-hosted server must forward poll requests to an upstream service connected to APNS/Firebase, such as ntfy.sh. The phone must also be able to reach your server over the network. The configuration guide explains this setup, and the known issues page provides related caveats.
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What self-hosting does—and does not—control
Running your own server gives you control over where notification data is stored and how long it is retained. It does not automatically remove every outside service from delivery: Google Play Android and iOS use Firebase-related push infrastructure, and integrations you configure may send data to other third parties. The F-Droid Android build avoids Firebase but maintains a direct connection with a foreground service. These distinctions are described in ntfy’s privacy policy.
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