Google just announced that Google Cloud Messaging is now Firebase Cloud Messaging. What does this mean for existing users of GCM and what migration (if any) are needed?
What is FCM and why should we use it?
FCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging) is a new, improved version of the Google Cloud Messaging API under the Firebase brand. It has all the features of GCM as well as some additional features. Per the Firebase FAQ, it "inherits GCM’s core infrastructure, with new SDKs to make Cloud Messaging development easier". Google explained their decision to release FCM in their Cloud Messaging FAQ, where they wrote:
Firebase is known for being cross platform, so FCM now makes a natural fit in the Firebase suite of features designed for Android, iOS, and mobile web
Google recommends upgrading from GCM to FCM in their APIs for Android Release Notes. Reasons for doing so are given in the Firebase FAQ:
Benefits of upgrading to FCM SDK include:
Simpler client development. You no longer have to write your own registration or subscription retry logic.
An out-of-the-box notification solution. You can use Firebase Notifications, a serverless notifications solution with a web console that lets anyone send notifications to target specific audiences based on Firebase Analytics insights.
Is GCM deprecated?
Some features of GCM are already deprecated (see https://developers.google.com/cloud-messaging/android/legacy-regid, for example) and now in the coming days GCM is going to be fully deprecated. Google says:
We will continue to support the current version of GCM Android and iOS SDKs because we know a lot of developers are using GCM SDKs today to handle notifications, and client app upgrade takes time.
But all new client-side features will be added to FCM SDKs only moving forward. You are strongly encouraged to upgrade to FCM SDKs.
How to update old Android applications from GCM to FCM
From https://developers.google.com/cloud-messaging/android/android-migrate-fcm:
Import your GCM project as a Firebase project:
In the Firebase console, select Import Google Project.
Select your GCM project from the list of existing projects and select
Add Firebase.
In the Firebase welcome screen, select Add Firebase to your Android
App.
Provide your package name and SHA-1, and select Add App. A new
google-services.json file for your Firebase app is downloaded.
Select Continue and follow the detailed instructions for adding the
Google Services plugin in Android Studio.
Update: There was a recent announcement via email that GCM is now deprecated and will be completely removed next year (2019), and all GCM users should start migrating to FCM. For more details, see my answer here.
In addition to what Pritam Baral's answer, note that FCM's core is composed of GCM itself. There is no actual need to migrate to it, but it is encouraged, since when migrated to FCM, all of the features tied to it will be available for use. When referring to the Firebase Official Pricings Page, the features that are included for free are:
Analytics, App Indexing, Authentication, Dynamic Links, FCM, Invites, Notifications, Crash Reporting, & Remote Config
Pre-IO GCM implementations should still work for a longer time in the future, as stated in the GCM and FCM FAQs:
We will continue to support the current version of GCM Android and iOS SDKs because we know a lot of developers are using GCM SDKs today to handle notifications, and client app upgrade takes time.
But all new client-side features will be added to FCM SDKs only moving forward. You are strongly encouraged to upgrade to FCM SDKs.
As per the recent highlights:
Firebase Cloud Messaging builds on and improves the Google Cloud Messaging API. You can keep using Google Cloud Messaging with com.google.android.gms.gcm, but we recommend upgrading to com.google.firebase:firebase-messaging.
The cloud infrastructure will mostly remain the same, so existing GCM apps should continue to work fine. Although I haven't found any mention of a deprecation policy from Google yet, it would be unusual for Google to (and they have little reason to) break existing GCM infrastructure/SDK/code.
FCM seems like a better version of GCM, being available on multiple platforms (even web!) and simpler to setup (compare to GCM). Migration guides are available for Android and iOS
Google have expanded GCM to send messages to multiple platforms beyond Android: iOS and Chrome. Firebase is known for being cross platform, so FCM now makes a natural fit in the Firebase suite of features designed for Android, iOS, and mobile web.
FCM
it is advance/improved version of GCM but with new brandname Firebase
very easy/Simplified client development
Server-less console where anyone can send notifications to specific device
Notification payload: 4KB, Message payload: 2KB. Note that the notification includes device and app information too.
Stores 100 notification/messages per device if the device is offline.
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is the new version of GCM. It inherits
the reliable and scalable GCM infrastructure, plus new features! See
the FAQ to learn more. If you are integrating messaging in a new app,
start with FCM. GCM users are strongly recommended to upgrade to FCM,
in order to benefit from new FCM features today and in the future.
FCM is the new version of GCM under the Firebase brand. It inherits GCM’s core infrastructure to make sure we continue to deliver messages reliably on Android, iOS and Chrome.
Yes some features of GCM is deprecated, but they are supporting all previous clients.
To upgrade from GCM SDKs to FCM SDKs, please see the guides for migrating Android
For more information.https://developers.google.com/cloud-messaging/faq
Related
I have an android project in which GCM is implemented. Back-end (server) is already coded suitably with GCM.
Now is it possible to add firebase (FCM) in my project and work in parallel with GCM? I cant migrate to FCM because it is impossible to change my back-end code as it is a big project and too much code is there. Has anyone done something like this?
Please help. Thanks in advance.
Though my particular case might be a bit specific, because the project I am involved in has a very specific backend, it seems to me FCM interoperates well with GCM, i.e you can have both in your app, GCM and FCM broadcast receivers / receiver services, and they will both work as well with no conflicts.
This has a huge advantage because you don't have to decide with migration at once, you can do this more gradually.
Well done, Google!
No, you can not use both FCM and GCM at same time. GCM is the old version and that it is strongly recommended to use FCM.
Why is Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) part of Firebase? How does it relate to Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)?
Google is investing in Firebase, making it our unified mobile
platform.
Over the last few years, we have expanded GCM to send messages to
multiple platforms beyond Android: iOS and Chrome. Firebase is known
for being cross platform, so FCM now makes a natural fit in the
Firebase suite of features designed for Android, iOS, and mobile web.
Another core value of Firebase is cross-feature integration. We are
adding the ability for other Firebase features to easily send messages
via FCM. For example, you can use Firebase Notifications to send
reengagement messages to your users.
We think that GCM will be even more useful to developers as an
integrated part of Firebase. You can still get the same great product,
now under a new name: "Firebase Cloud Messaging," or FCM for short.
Is GCM going to be deprecated?
We will continue to support the current version of GCM Android and iOS
SDKs because we know a lot of developers are using GCM SDKs today to
handle notifications, and client app upgrade takes time.
But all new client-side features will be added to FCM SDKs only moving
forward. You are strongly encouraged to upgrade to FCM SDKs.
You can get more details here
As per FAQ you don't need additional server configuration when you're migrating your client app from GCM to FCM, so just use FCM in your android app.
Here's the docs on how to migrate your app
I find the problem to use both GCM and FCM together. You will get to different deviceToken and one of these token get NotRegistered error.
For my FCM token always get NotRegistered error but the app is active and not uninstalled and my GCM token is valid and gets a push notification.
This question already exists:
FCM Vs GCM? Why we need to migrate from GCM to FCM [duplicate]
Closed 6 years ago.
Is firebase taking GCM place or what extra is firebase doing so that we can relay on FCM rather than GCM.
If we use GCM in our new messaging app shall we have to completely migrate to FCM in near future ?
Q. Why is Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) part of Firebase?
How does it relate to Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)?
A. Google is investing in Firebase, making it our unified mobile platform.
Over the last few years, we have expanded GCM to send messages to multiple platforms beyond Android: iOS and Chrome. Firebase is known for being cross platform, so FCM now makes a natural fit in the Firebase suite of features designed for Android, iOS, and mobile web.
Another core value of Firebase is cross-feature integration. We are adding the ability for other Firebase features to easily send messages via FCM. For example, you can use Firebase Notifications to send reengagement messages to your users.
We think that GCM will be even more useful to developers as an integrated part of Firebase. You can still get the same great product, now under a new name: "Firebase Cloud Messaging," or FCM for short.
Q. How different is GCM from FCM? What is new in FCM SDKs?
A. FCM is the new version of GCM under the Firebase brand. It inherits GCM’s core infrastructure to make sure we continue to deliver messages reliably on Android, iOS and Chrome.
The new FCM SDK:
Simplifies client development. You no longer have to write your own registration or subscription retry logic.
Enables a new serverless notifications solution with a web console, Firebase Notifications. With Firebase Notifications, anyone can send notifications to target specific audiences based on Firebase Analytics insights. They can then evaluate notification effectiveness by assessing the built-in Notifications Funnel Analysis in the console.
FCM Android and iOS SDKs make messaging and notifications development easier. They offer an out-of-the-box solution so that anyone can send notifications from Firebase Notifications immediately.
Q. Is GCM going to be deprecated?
A. We will continue to support the current version of GCM Android and iOS SDKs because we know a lot of developers are using GCM SDKs today to handle notifications, and client app upgrade takes time.
But all new client-side features will be added to FCM SDKs only moving forward. You are strongly encouraged to upgrade to FCM SDKs.
For More Check This: https://developers.google.com/cloud-messaging/faq
Google is now encouraging using FCM. Here it shows a message if you go to GCM doc.
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is the new version of GCM. It inherits the reliable and scalable GCM infrastructure, plus new features! See the FAQ to learn more. If you are integrating messaging in a new app, start with FCM. GCM users are strongly recommended to upgrade to FCM, in order to benefit from new FCM features today and in the future.
In future they may not update their apis as they are now focusing on FCM.
So, From my opinion if you start new then use FCM. It's nice & easy to configure & implement.
This question already exists:
FCM Vs GCM? Why we need to migrate from GCM to FCM [duplicate]
Closed 6 years ago.
I want to use Push notification in my app, Other things like sync with server database I had handled manually , So which is the best option to go ahead?
Also can I use GCM API keys with FCM?
Does FCM is free for unlimited number of messages?
FCM is the new version of GCM under the Firebase brand. It inherits GCM’s core infrastructure to make sure we continue to deliver messages reliably on Android, iOS and Chrome.
FCM is the new version of GCM under the Firebase brand. It inherits GCM’s core infrastructure, with new SDKs to make Cloud Messaging development easier.
Benefits of upgrading to FCM SDK include:
Simpler client development. You no longer have to write your own registration or subscription retry logic.
An out-of-the-box notification solution. You can use Firebase Notifications, a serverless notifications solution with a web console that lets anyone send notifications to target specific audiences based on Firebase Analytics insights.
To upgrade from GCM SDKs to FCM SDKs, see the guides for migrating Android and iOS apps.
If you'd like to see the differences between GCM and FCM, visit the Firebase documentation - FAQ section.
I'm trying to create a simple android push notification app using Phonegap build and GCM.. I currently can get the android's device token using a phonegap plugin and store it in my database without any issue.
I just need to know if I can still use GCM (Google cloud messaging) OR I need to start using FCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging)?
Any tutorial I found on Google is about GCM and they all say to enable the 'Auth & API' under the google cloud messaging section in the google console. but when i go to GCM in my Google console, I don't see anything like that and everything seems to be about FCM which is frustrating when there are no information about how to use it with Phonegap build!
Is Google GCM still available or the new app 'Have' to start using FCM from now on?
I mean Google console is confusing enough without them keep changing everything every month or so!!
Could someone please advise on this issue?
Cloud Messaging (GCM) is now part of Firebase, see also this link.
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is the new version of GCM. It inherits the reliable and scalable GCM infrastructure, plus new features!
If you are integrating messaging in a new app, start with FCM. GCM users are strongly recommended to upgrade to FCM, in order to benefit from new FCM features today and in the future.
Is GCM going to be deprecated?
We will continue to support the current version of GCM Android and iOS SDKs because we know a lot of developers are using GCM SDKs today to handle notifications, and client app upgrade takes time.
But all new client-side features will be added to FCM SDKs only moving forward. You are strongly encouraged to upgrade to FCM SDKs.
In short, stop using Google developer console in order to use GCM, use this:
https://console.firebase.google.com/?pli=1, as shown below.
Suppose I have an application in which people suscribes to receive a notification when some event in a bar is created. I would also like to draw an icon in a google map when a bar is added. I read about Google Cloud Messaging and also Firebase which Google advertises as the improved version of the former. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?
Yes No Difference as you read, Google Cloud Messaging is the traditional way to send push notifications and downstream message to Android.
Now with the addtional of new product Firebase (bought), google making some changes for efficient use. So they just renamed GCM as FCM (new improved version), along the change now you using FCM can send push notifications to iOS devices as well and more new features,
In fact you can register push token using Firebase and send api signal to GCM server, still the message would reach the device.
You can read this FAQ, https://firebase.google.com/support/faq/#gcm-fcm
Google Cloud Messaging is DEPRECATED 4/10/2018!
As of April 10, 2018, Google has deprecated GCM. The GCM server and client APIs are deprecated and will be removed as soon as May 29, 2019. Migrate GCM apps to Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), which inherits the reliable and scalable GCM infrastructure, plus many new features. See the migration guide to learn more.
https://developers.google.com/cloud-messaging/faq
Why is GCM being deprecated?
Simplifies client development. You no longer have to write your own registration or subscription retry logic.
Enables a new serverless notifications solution with a web console, the Firebase Notifications console. With the Notifications console, anyone can send notifications to target specific audiences based on Firebase Analytics insights. The console has deep integration with Google Analytics, Firebase predictions, and Firebase A/B testing.
Includes ongoing feature enhancements/updates such as the HTTP v1 API.
Provides better delivery reporting and more reliable delivery