 <p>What you need its called "push notifications". PhoneGap has some plugins for that. </p> <ul> <li><a href="https://build.phonegap.com/plugins/324" rel="nofollow">plugin</a></li> <li><a href="http://apigee.com/docs/app-services/content/tutorial-push-notifications-sample-app" rel="nofollow">sample app</a></li> <li><a href="http://devgirl.org/2013/07/17/tutorial-implement-push-notifications-in-your-phonegap-application/" rel="nofollow">tutorial</a></li> </ul> <p>This might also be helpful:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/notifiers/notifications.html" rel="nofollow">Android notifications</a></li> <li><a href="http://plugins.cordova.io/#/package/de.appplant.cordova.plugin.local-notification" rel="nofollow">Cordova local notifications plugin with instructions etc</a> -> here you can see how the plugin is installed and used</li> </ul> <p>Be warned, that using proper push notifications you'll have to <a href="http://apigee.com/docs/app-services/content/registering-notification-service" rel="nofollow">register</a> your app first - if your notifications are not only local of course. </p> <blockquote> <p>To send push notifications, you will need to first register your app with the push notification service (Apple APNs or Google GCM) that corresponds to your app's platform.</p> </blockquote>