---
title: "In-App Messaging Essentials"
slug: "in-app-messaging-essentials"
updated: 2025-09-04T13:00:57Z
published: 2025-09-04T13:00:57Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# In-App Messaging Essentials

This page gives marketers a complete overview of how to plan, configure, and use in-app messages in Mapp Engage.

---

## Overview

### What is In-App Messaging?

In-app messages allow you to communicate with users while they are actively using your mobile app. Messages can appear instantly or be stored in the user’s message center (Inbox), depending on the selected message type.

You can use in-app messaging to welcome new users, highlight new features, promote offers, or respond to specific actions in the app — all without requiring push permission.

---

### Why use In-App Messaging?

- Reach users directly in the app — in real time or via inbox
- Engage users contextually based on in-app behavior
- Support user onboarding, feature promotion, and re-engagement
- Add interactive, branded messages without push opt-in

---

### Key Capabilities in Mapp Engage

- Define event-based triggers for message delivery
- Target specific user segments
- Choose between flexible Web or fast Native formats
- Customize message layout, visuals, and actions
- Track views, interactions, and delivery results

---

### Message Types and Formats

In-app messages differ in **when** they are shown and **how** they are displayed in the app. You’ll select both the message type and the format during the message configuration process.

#### Message Types

| **Type** | **Behavior** |
| --- | --- |
| **In-App** | Shown immediately when trigger conditions are met |
| **In-App + Inbox** | Shown in-app and stored in the message center (Inbox) |
| **Inbox** | Stored in the message center only |

#### Message Formats

| **Format** | **How it works** |
| --- | --- |
| **Web** | Rendered in a WebView. Offers full design flexibility via HTML and can be updated at any time from the UI. |
| **Native** | Uses fixed SDK templates (e.g. banner or fullscreen). Loads faster and blends smoothly with the app UI. |

---

## Message Setup Workflow

### Before You Start

Make sure the following elements are ready before you begin creating a message:

- **Target Segment**: In-app messages can only be sent to all contacts or predefined segments. Groups are not supported. If you want to target a specific audience, create a segment first.
- **Trigger Event**: In-app messages are activated by app events (e.g. screen view, button tap). These events must be tracked by the SDK. If an event is not available, the message will not be triggered.

---

### Message Configuration Overview

Each in-app message includes the following components:

#### Targeting & Triggering

- **Target Segment**: Who should receive the message
- **Trigger**: The app event that activates the message

#### Content & Display

- **Layout**: Choose between banner, fullscreen, or custom
- **Content**: Text, images, and calls to action
- **Button Actions**: Define what happens on user interaction (e.g. open a link or app screen)

#### Delivery Settings

- **Frequency**: How often a message can be shown to the same user
- **Expiration**: Defines how long the message stays active

> [!TIP]
> ![](https://cdn.document360.io/554b9b98-6720-4d8b-9919-c7b203d72648/Images/Documentation/grafik(33).png)
> 
> Looking for a structured learning path?
> 
> Learn step by step in our Academy Course: [Mapp Engage - SMS, Push & In-App](https://academy.mapp.com/catalog/courses/4407585).

> [!NOTE]
> For Developers
> 
> To use in-app messaging, your app must be integrated with Mapp’s [Mobile SDK](/v1/docs/mobile-sdks-1). For a full breakdown of how messages are triggered, processed, and tracked, see [Delivery Logic & SDK Tracking for Developers](/v1/docs/in-app-messaging-delivery-logic-sdk-tracking-for-developers).

## Related

- [Message Creation: Info (In-App)](/in-app-message-creation-step-1-info.md)
- [Message Creation: Template (In-App)](/in-app-message-creation-step-2-template.md)
- [Message Creation: Inbox (In-App)](/in-app-message-creation-step-3-inbox.md)
- [Message Creation: Delivery (In-App)](/in-app-message-creation-step-4-delivery.md)