🔥 [🐛] Notifications can't be received in testflight, simulator and real device build works.

[benevolentsocialplanner]

I built the app with react native cli and the notifications successfully do work in simulator whether it's a debug or release build. However, on testflight it won't work. I think that it's related to bundling of the ios folders. I had problems with bundling and what fixed that is the following:

    "prod": "npx react-native bundle --platform ios --dev false --entry-file index.js --bundle-output ./ios/main.jsbundle --assets-dest ./assets",
    "flight": "npx react-native bundle --platform ios --dev false --entry-file index.js --bundle-output ./ios/main.jsbundle --assets-dest ./ios",

I added the main.jsbundle file to the xcode, otherwise the changes wouldn't be noticed by the new build.
After fixing this, i have an issue that the notifications are never delivered to the device using testflight.
Let me explain better, i attach the apns token to device token in app delegate file below. And registerDeviceForRemoteNotifications function will throw an empty object error.

import UIKit
import React
import React_RCTAppDelegate
import ReactAppDependencyProvider
import FirebaseCore
import FirebaseMessaging
import UserNotifications

@main
class AppDelegate: RCTAppDelegate, UNUserNotificationCenterDelegate, MessagingDelegate {
  override func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey : Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
    self.moduleName = "mobile_nakliye"
    self.dependencyProvider = RCTAppDependencyProvider()

    // You can add your custom initial props in the dictionary below.
    // They will be passed down to the ViewController used by React Native.
    self.initialProps = [:]

    // Configure Firebase (minimal setup)
    FirebaseApp.configure()
    
    // Set messaging delegate
    Messaging.messaging().delegate = self
    
    // Request permission for notifications
    UNUserNotificationCenter.current().delegate = self
    let authOptions: UNAuthorizationOptions = [.alert, .badge, .sound]
    UNUserNotificationCenter.current().requestAuthorization(
        options: authOptions,
        completionHandler: { _, _ in }
    )
    application.registerForRemoteNotifications()

    return super.application(application, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: launchOptions)
  }

  override func application(_ application: UIApplication, didRegisterForRemoteNotificationsWithDeviceToken deviceToken: Data) {
    Messaging.messaging().apnsToken = deviceToken
    // Removed super call that was causing the error
  }
  
  func messaging(_ messaging: Messaging, didReceiveRegistrationToken fcmToken: String?) {
    // Store this token for sending FCM messages to this device
    print("Firebase registration token: \(String(describing: fcmToken))")
  }

  override func sourceURL(for bridge: RCTBridge) -> URL? {
    return self.bundleURL()
  }

  override func bundleURL() -> URL? {
    #if DEBUG
      return RCTBundleURLProvider.sharedSettings().jsBundleURL(forBundleRoot: "index")
    #else
      return Bundle.main.url(forResource: "main", withExtension: "jsbundle")
    #endif
  }
}

require_relative File.join(__dir__, '../node_modules/react-native/scripts/react_native_pods')

platform :ios, min_ios_version_supported
prepare_react_native_project!


linkage = ENV['USE_FRAMEWORKS']
if linkage != nil
  Pod::UI.puts "Configuring Pod with #{linkage}ally linked Frameworks".green
  use_frameworks! :linkage => linkage.to_sym
else
  use_frameworks!
  $RNFirebaseAsStaticFramework = false
end

target 'mobile_nakliye' do
  config = use_native_modules!

  use_react_native!(
    :path => config[:reactNativePath],
    :app_path => "#{Pod::Config.instance.installation_root}/.."
  )

  pod 'FirebaseCore', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'Firebase/Messaging', :modular_headers => true

  pod 'RNVectorIcons', :path => '../node_modules/react-native-vector-icons'

  pre_install do |installer|
    installer.pod_targets.each do |pod|
      if pod.name.eql?('RNReanimated')
        def pod.build_type
          Pod::BuildType.static_library
        end
      end
     end
   end

  post_install do |installer|
    react_native_post_install(
      installer,
      config[:reactNativePath],
      :mac_catalyst_enabled => false,
      # :ccache_enabled => true
    )
  end
end

The js hook that I handle the firebase notifications:

import { useEffect } from 'react';
import messaging from '@react-native-firebase/messaging';
import { updateUser } from '../services/api';

export const useNotifications = (firebaseInitialized: boolean) => {
  useEffect(() => {
    console.log('firebaseInitialized', firebaseInitialized);
    if (!firebaseInitialized) return;

    const setupNotifications = async () => {
      try {
        console.log('Setting up notifications...');
        const authStatus = await messaging().requestPermission();

        const enabled =
          authStatus === messaging.AuthorizationStatus.AUTHORIZED ||
          authStatus === messaging.AuthorizationStatus.PROVISIONAL;

          console.log('Notification permission status:', enabled);
        if (!enabled) {
          console.log('Notification permissions not granted');
          return;
        }
        let isPermitted = await messaging().hasPermission();
        console.log(isPermitted, "isPermitted");
        if (isPermitted == 0 || isPermitted == 1) {
          //ask for permission
          const authStatus = await messaging().requestPermission();
          const result =
            authStatus === messaging.AuthorizationStatus.AUTHORIZED ||
            authStatus === messaging.AuthorizationStatus.PROVISIONAL;

            if (result == true) {
              isPermitted = true
            } else {
              isPermitted = false
            }
        }

        console.log('Notification permission status:', isPermitted);
        if (!isPermitted) return;
        
        await messaging().registerDeviceForRemoteMessages();

        // 3. Add delay to ensure APNS token is available
        await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 1000));

        const regularToken = await messaging().getToken();
        console.log(regularToken, " regularToken");

        messaging().onTokenRefresh(token => {
          console.log('Token refreshed:', token);
          if (token) {
            updateUser({ notificationId: token });
            messaging().subscribeToTopic('allDevices');
          }
        });

        if (regularToken) {
          
          const res = await updateUser({ notificationId: regularToken });
          console.log('fcmtoken updated', res)
          await messaging().subscribeToTopic('allDevices');
        }
      } catch (error) {
        console.error("Notification setup error:", error);
      }
    };

    // Setup message handlers
    const unsubscribeOnMessage = messaging().onMessage((remoteMessage) => {
      console.log("Foreground message:", remoteMessage);
    });

    setupNotifications();

    return () => {
      unsubscribeOnMessage();
    };
  }, [firebaseInitialized]);
};

I'm assuming the problem lays in the native files or however the javascript is bundled into the native code.
Before making a new archive build to testflight i ran npm run flight command as shown at the top.
Any help is appreciated.

package.json:

{
  "name": "mobile_nakliye",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "private": true,
  "scripts": {
    "android": "react-native run-android",
    "ios": "react-native run-ios",
    "lint": "eslint .",
    "start": "react-native start",
    "test": "jest",
    "postinstall": "patch-package",
    "dev": "npx react-native bundle --platform ios --dev true --entry-file index.js --bundle-output ./ios/main.jsbundle --assets-dest ./assets",
    "prod": "npx react-native bundle --platform ios --dev false --entry-file index.js --bundle-output ./ios/main.jsbundle --assets-dest ./assets",
    "flight": "npx react-native bundle --platform ios --dev false --entry-file index.js --bundle-output ./ios/main.jsbundle --assets-dest ./ios",
    "pods": "cd ios; rm -rf Pods Podfile.lock; rm -rf build/; bundle exec pod install --verbose; cd .."
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "@react-native-async-storage/async-storage": "^2.1.1",
    "@react-native-community/geolocation": "^3.4.0",
    "@react-native-firebase/app": "^21.7.4",
    "@react-native-firebase/messaging": "^21.7.4",
    "@react-navigation/bottom-tabs": "^7.2.0",
    "@react-navigation/native": "^7.0.14",
    "@react-navigation/native-stack": "^7.2.0",
    "@react-navigation/stack": "^7.1.1",
    "@tanstack/react-query": "^5.66.0",
    "axios": "^1.7.9",
    "dotenv": "^16.4.7",
    "patch-package": "^8.0.0",
    "postinstall-postinstall": "^2.1.0",
    "react": "^18.3.1",
    "react-native": "^0.77.0",
    "react-native-agora": "^4.5.1",
    "react-native-geolocation-service": "^5.3.1",
    "react-native-gesture-handler": "2.23.0",
    "react-native-get-random-values": "^1.11.0",
    "react-native-google-places-autocomplete": "^2.5.7",
    "react-native-image-picker": "^8.0.0",
    "react-native-linear-gradient": "^2.8.3",
    "react-native-maps": "^1.20.1",
    "react-native-reanimated": "^3.16.7",
    "react-native-safe-area-context": "^5.2.0",
    "react-native-screens": "^4.6.0",
    "react-native-svg": "^15.11.2",
    "react-native-vector-icons": "^10.2.0",
    "react-native-webview": "^13.13.2",
    "socket.io-client": "^4.8.1"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@babel/core": "^7.25.2",
    "@babel/preset-env": "^7.25.3",
    "@babel/runtime": "^7.25.0",
    "@react-native-community/cli": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-android": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native/babel-preset": "0.77.0",
    "@react-native/eslint-config": "0.77.0",
    "@react-native/metro-config": "0.77.0",
    "@react-native/typescript-config": "0.77.0",
    "@types/jest": "^29.5.13",
    "@types/react": "^18.2.6",
    "@types/react-native-vector-icons": "^6.4.18",
    "@types/react-test-renderer": "^18.0.0",
    "eslint": "^8.19.0",
    "has-flag": "^5.0.1",
    "jest": "^29.6.3",
    "patch-package": "^8.0.0",
    "prettier": "2.8.8",
    "react-native-dotenv": "^3.4.11",
    "react-test-renderer": "18.3.1",
    "typescript": "5.0.4"
  },
  "engines": {
    "node": ">=18"
  }
}

react-native info output:

System:
  OS: macOS 15.3.2
  CPU: (8) arm64 Apple M2
  Memory: 166.00 MB / 8.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 18.18.2
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v18.18.2/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 1.22.22
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v18.18.2/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.8.2
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v18.18.2/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.03.10.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /Users/atakanyesilkayali/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 24.2
      - iOS 18.2
      - macOS 15.2
      - tvOS 18.2
      - visionOS 2.2
      - watchOS 11.2
  Android SDK:
    API Levels:
      - "30"
      - "33"
      - "34"
      - "35"
    Build Tools:
      - 30.0.3
      - 34.0.0
      - 35.0.0
    System Images:
      - android-34 | Google APIs ARM 64 v8a
      - android-34 | Google Play ARM 64 v8a
      - android-35 | Google Play ARM 64 v8a
      - android-35 | Pre-Release 16 KB Page Size Google APIs ARM 64 v8a
      - android-TiramisuPrivacySandbox | Google APIs ARM 64 v8a
    Android NDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2024.1 AI-241.18034.62.2411.12169540
  Xcode:
    version: 16.2/16C5032a
    path: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.14
    path: /opt/homebrew/Cellar/openjdk@17/17.0.14/libexec/openjdk.jdk/Contents/Home/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 3.1.0
    path: /Users/atakanyesilkayali/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 15.0.1
    wanted: 15.0.1
  react:
    installed: 18.3.1
    wanted: ^18.3.1
  react-native:
    installed: 0.77.2
    wanted: ^0.77.0
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false```
- **Platform that you're experiencing the issue on**:
  - [x] iOS
  - [ ] Android
  - [x] **iOS** but have not tested behavior on Android
  - [ ] **Android** but have not tested behavior on iOS
  - [ ] Both

[benevolentsocialplanner]

A keypoint:
On testflight i don't get the fcm token or apns token at all.

[benevolentsocialplanner]

I have been blocked by this for weeks, any help is appreciated.

[MichaelVerdon]

Hey there, this seems to be a fairly common issue from my investigation and for many different reasons. It could likely be a simple configuration issue such Bundle_ID not matching https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/676193 There are a bunch of suggestions here https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69592491/flutter-firebase-fcm-messages-not-working-on-testflight-release-builds-at-all if you ignore the Flutter specific ones. Let me know how this goes 😄

[mikehardy]

There should be no need to specify bundles or anything. My build demonstrator actually does some FCM testing and none of this seemed to be needed. It's not needed in my released apps either. Every project seems to have it's own issues, so I can't be prescriptive about your project, but I can say that in general, for most people, that is not necessary. I suspect something else is going on

[benevolentsocialplanner]

Hey there, this seems to be a fairly common issue from my investigation and for many different reasons. It could likely be a simple configuration issue such Bundle_ID not matching https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/676193 There are a bunch of suggestions here https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69592491/flutter-firebase-fcm-messages-not-working-on-testflight-release-builds-at-all if you ignore the Flutter specific ones. Let me know how this goes 😄

Only thing thats suspicious is duplicate certificate case here, i will check and get back to here!

[benevolentsocialplanner]

There should be no need to specify bundles or anything. My build demonstrator actually does some FCM testing and none of this seemed to be needed. It's not needed in my released apps either. Every project seems to have it's own issues, so I can't be prescriptive about your project, but I can say that in general, for most people, that is not necessary. I suspect something else is going on

Yeah, that was another issue bundling didn't bundle correctly and I just thought i would also bring this up here in case the bundle missing some entitlements with the commands i use to build the app just incase