Asking a user for permission to send them push notifications or to access their private data can be a little bit of a minefield.
For many apps, not getting access to a phone’s sensors or data can change the entire user experience. For example, if an app depends on where the user is standing, declining access to location could render the app useless. More subtly, if push notifications play a critical role in getting your user to form a habit of using your app, declined access could lead to you losing them forever.
Making it all worse is that when a user taps “Don’t Allow”, there is no easy way for them to reverse that decision.
If you are interested in user interface/experience, this is some good food for thought. [Via iOS Dev Weekly]
Well, it’s not exactly hard, but it isn’t easy to find either. Not good enough, I think.
This is one of a few things that I should be added to the control center. It would be so much easier to be able to tell users to flip open the control center and tap Privacy to access all the privacy settings for an app in a single place.
(The other thing is joining WiFi networks.)
Here is my take: this is not an iOS problem but a developer problem. I want iOS to force location and notification opt ins, but nearly every app i use that has those pop ups on launch gets the opt out click. It is my understanding that devs can use this for other than default. For example, Walgreens uses that iOS notification when I add a prescription: “Do you want us to let you know when your prescription is ready?” Automatic yes. Also take a look at the detailed preference ESPN app has for notifications. Most ESPN fans will opt in to multiple, but not all. Too many devs think of preferences pane as a pain, with little forethought. This can be the most important part of creating a great customer experience and in fact on first launch it could be great for that to be the starting point. If done right instead of an after thought, it can set the tone for letting customers know that you care about providing them the best experience possible, which is a personalized one.
Good thing that Android apps don’t ask for permission. Don’t want to give an app permission to access your location? Then don’t install it at all.