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ntfy lets scripts and services send phone or desktop alerts through a simple HTTP request. To use it with your own server, run the ntfy server, subscribe to a topic in the phone app, and have your script publish messages to that same topic. The setup is straightforward, but it is not private or secure by default: you must configure access controls and HTTPS, and self-hosted iPhone delivery needs an additional push-service connection.
How ntfy sends notifications
ntfy is an HTTP-based publish/subscribe service. A publisher sends a message to a topic, and clients subscribed to that topic receive it. The ntfy project documentation describes it as a way to “send push notifications to your phone or desktop via scripts from any computer, using simple HTTP PUT or POST requests.” (Getting started)
Topics do not need to be created in advance: choose a topic name, publish to it, and subscribe to it from a client. But topic names are public, and anyone who can guess a name may be able to find its messages on an open server. A hard-to-guess name can deter casual discovery; it is not a replacement for authentication and permissions.
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How to self-host ntfy
ntfy offers server installation as a binary, an OS package, or a Docker image. The documented Linux architectures include amd64, armv7, and arm64, so an always-on Linux machine, ARM board, or hosted Linux instance may work. Dedicated hardware is not required. Follow the current official installation guide for the right package and instructions; its Debian/Ubuntu repository moved to archive.ntfy.sh in September 2025, and install details can change.
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Run the server
For a basic installation, the server command is ntfy serve. The Docker examples expose the web UI and API on port 80. Configuration can be supplied in a YAML file, with command-line flags, or through environment variables. Before exposing a server to the internet, configure authentication and authorization and put HTTPS in front of it.
Keep messages between restarts
If you use Docker and want persistent message caching, map storage for /var/cache/ntfy and configure the cache file in the server settings. Without persistent storage, cached messages may not survive a container or server restart. Consult the configuration documentation for the current cache settings.
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How to publish a notification
Once the server is reachable, publish to a topic with an HTTP PUT or POST request. For example, replace ntfy.example.com with your server’s hostname and build-alerts with the topic you plan to subscribe to:
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How to receive alerts on a phone
Install the ntfy app, subscribe to the same topic used by your publisher, and enter your server address if you are using a self-hosted instance. The official phone documentation lists Android builds on Google Play, F-Droid, and GitHub releases, plus an iOS app on the App Store. A progressive web app is another option. See the phone setup guide for current client instructions.
Android: choose a delivery path
The Google Play Android build uses Firebase Cloud Messaging. The F-Droid build omits Google services and Firebase, and instead uses a foreground service to keep a direct connection. That difference affects how background delivery works, so choose the build that fits your priorities and phone setup.
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iPhone: self-hosting does not remove the push-service dependency
iOS limits background processing. For instant push notifications from a self-hosted ntfy server, the server must forward poll requests to an upstream service connected to APNS/Firebase, such as ntfy.sh. The iPhone also needs network access to your server. Consequently, self-hosting alone does not guarantee instant iPhone alerts or eliminate all third-party services from the delivery path. The server configuration guide and known issues explain the relevant constraints.
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The ntfy PWA can be an alternative to a native app, but a self-hosted PWA needs Web Push configured on the server. Compatibility depends on the browser and operating system; the official PWA support table includes Safari on iOS 16.4 and later and macOS 14 and later, along with supported Chrome, Firefox, and Edge configurations. Check that table before choosing the PWA, since browser support can change.
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Secure the server before using it for sensitive alerts
A default ntfy server is open: anyone can read and write topics unless the operator configures authentication and authorization. A topic name is not a password. Use ntfy’s user and admin roles and per-topic read/write permissions to restrict who can publish and subscribe. The configuration guide covers access controls.
Use HTTPS as well. Basic authentication encodes credentials with Base64; it does not encrypt them. HTTPS protects credentials in transit between clients and the server. Avoid sending sensitive information until you have secured access and the connection.
What self-hosting does—and does not—control
Running the server yourself gives you control over where server data is stored and how long it is retained. It does not necessarily remove third parties from notification delivery: the Google Play Android and iOS paths use Firebase-related push infrastructure, and an operator may configure other external integrations. The Android F-Droid build does not include Firebase, but uses its own foreground-service connection instead. The ntfy privacy policy describes these distinctions.
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Before choosing a receive method, weigh the platform you use, its background delivery path, and the extra server configuration it requires. Running your own server also means maintaining it, configuring access and HTTPS, and deciding whether to enable persistent caching or Web Push.
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