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08. September 2025

Advanced PWA Features in APEX: Notifications, Geolocation, and Sharing

In the previous post, we focused on how easily a new application can be created as a Progressive Web App (PWA) in Oracle APEX, or how an existing application can be converted simply by checking a box. Now, we’ll dive into the more advanced features that APEX PWA offers. These features allow applications to behave more like native mobile apps, significantly enhancing the user experience and expanding interaction possibilities with the device. Thanks to declarative PWA support in APEX, which has been evolving since version 21.2, implementing these features is surprisingly straightforward.

Advanced PWA Features in Oracle APEX: Getting Even Closer to a Native Experience

Push Notifications: Stay Connected with Users
Push notifications are one of the most powerful PWA tools for keeping users engaged. They allow messages to be sent directly to a user’s device, even when the application is not active.

  • Availability in APEX: Supported since version 23.1.
  • User Enablement: Users must consent both in the application and in device settings.
  • Architecture: APEX uses third-party services: , , , .
  • Subscription Management: APEX is based on system login; login credentials are stored in the view .
  • Sending Notifications: Via a process or API. Status can be tracked in .
  • Enhancements: Future plans include badges for notifications requiring attention.

Geolocation: Access Device Location
The geolocation feature allows APEX applications to work with the device’s GPS coordinates. It is ideal for logistics or field applications.

  • Implementation: Via a dynamic action in APEX.
  • Requirements: Two page items to store latitude and longitude.
  • Dynamic Action Type: For example, triggered by a button click.
  • Return Values:
    • Latitude and Longitude: Direct coordinates.
    • GeoJSON: Detailed JSON including altitude, accuracy, and speed.

Web Share: Share Data with Other Apps
Web Share enables APEX applications to share data using the device’s native system—such as contacts, messages, social networks, or other apps.

  • Implementation: Via a specific type of dynamic action.
  • Example: A user can share the content of a text field to another application.
  • Condition: Must be enabled in the section on the respective page.

Why These Features in APEX PWA Are So Important
These advanced features provide APEX applications with capabilities that were previously exclusive to native mobile apps:

  • Increased Engagement: Push notifications bring users back to the app and strengthen communication.
  • Device Hardware Utilization: Access to GPS and sensors like the camera.
  • System Integration: Web Share connects the app to the device ecosystem.
  • Simpler Development and Maintenance: No need to create separate mobile apps for each platform.

Conclusion
With continuous enhancements to PWA features in Oracle APEX—from version 21.2 to the upcoming improvements in 23.2—APEX is becoming a powerful tool for developing modern, responsive applications. These apps deliver a native-like experience, high performance, hardware interaction, and excellent user-friendliness.