diff --git a/src/foss/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java b/src/foss/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java
index 3aa3584cd..e21a1527e 100644
--- a/src/foss/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java
+++ b/src/foss/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java
@@ -10,6 +10,5 @@ import androidx.annotation.Nullable;
 public class FcmReceiveService {
   public static void register(Context context) {}
   public static void waitForRegisterFinished() {}
-  public static void deleteToken() {}
   @Nullable public static String getToken() { return null; }
 }
diff --git a/src/gplay/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java b/src/gplay/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java
index b8e6bbbf0..c14416160 100644
--- a/src/gplay/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java
+++ b/src/gplay/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/notifications/FcmReceiveService.java
@@ -92,23 +92,6 @@ public class FcmReceiveService extends FirebaseMessagingService {
     return prefixedToken;
   }
 
-  public static void deleteToken() {
-    if (prefixedToken == null) {
-      Log.i(TAG, "FCM not registered yet, no token to delete");
-      return;
-    }
-
-    Util.runOnAnyBackgroundThread(() -> {
-      try {
-        Tasks.await(FirebaseMessaging.getInstance().deleteToken());
-        prefixedToken = null;
-        Log.i(TAG, "FCM token deleted for " + BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID);
-      } catch (Exception e) {
-        Log.e(TAG, "cannot delete FCM token for " + BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ": " + e);
-      }
-    });
-  }
-
   @Override
   public void onMessageReceived(@NonNull RemoteMessage remoteMessage) {
     Log.i(TAG, "FCM push notification received");
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ApplicationContext.java b/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ApplicationContext.java
index 91f032332..632db8b69 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ApplicationContext.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ApplicationContext.java
@@ -228,12 +228,8 @@ public class ApplicationContext extends MultiDexApplication {
             fetchWorkRequest);
     AppCompatDelegate.setCompatVectorFromResourcesEnabled(true);
 
-    if (BuildConfig.USE_PLAY_SERVICES) {
-      if (Prefs.isPushEnabled(this)) {
-        FcmReceiveService.register(this);
-      } else {
-        Log.i(TAG, "FCM disabled in user settings");
-      }
+    if (Prefs.isPushEnabled(this)) {
+      FcmReceiveService.register(this);
     } else {
       Log.i(TAG, "FCM disabled at build time");
     }
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/preferences/NotificationsPreferenceFragment.java b/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/preferences/NotificationsPreferenceFragment.java
index 782fecbd8..a4af08bea 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/preferences/NotificationsPreferenceFragment.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/preferences/NotificationsPreferenceFragment.java
@@ -73,27 +73,6 @@ public class NotificationsPreferenceFragment extends ListSummaryPreferenceFragme
 
     initializeRingtoneSummary(findPreference(Prefs.RINGTONE_PREF));
 
-    CheckBoxPreference usePushService = this.findPreference("pref_push_enabled");
-    usePushService.setChecked(Prefs.isPushEnabled(getContext()));
-    usePushService.setEnabled(BuildConfig.USE_PLAY_SERVICES);
-    usePushService.setOnPreferenceChangeListener((preference, newValue) -> {
-      final boolean enabled = (Boolean) newValue;
-      if (!enabled) {
-        new AlertDialog.Builder(getContext())
-          .setMessage(R.string.pref_push_ask_disable)
-          .setPositiveButton(R.string.ok, (dialogInterface, i) -> {
-            ((CheckBoxPreference)preference).setChecked(false);
-          })
-          .setNegativeButton(R.string.cancel, null)
-          .setNeutralButton(R.string.learn_more, (dialogInterface, i) -> {
-            DcHelper.openHelp(getActivity(), "#instant-delivery");
-          })
-          .show();
-        return false;
-      }
-      return true;
-    });
-
     ignoreBattery = this.findPreference("pref_ignore_battery_optimizations");
     ignoreBattery.setVisible(needsIgnoreBatteryOptimizations());
     ignoreBattery.setOnPreferenceChangeListener((preference, newValue) -> {
@@ -137,18 +116,6 @@ public class NotificationsPreferenceFragment extends ListSummaryPreferenceFragme
     notificationsEnabled.setChecked(!dcContext.isMuted());
   }
 
-  @Override
-  public void onPause() {
-    super.onPause();
-
-    // we delay applying token changes to avoid changes and races if the user is just playing around
-    if (Prefs.isPushEnabled(getContext()) && FcmReceiveService.getToken() == null) {
-      FcmReceiveService.register(getContext());
-    } else if(!Prefs.isPushEnabled(getContext()) && FcmReceiveService.getToken() != null) {
-      FcmReceiveService.deleteToken();
-    }
-  }
-
   @Override
   public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
     super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/util/Prefs.java b/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/util/Prefs.java
index f3031ae07..22dcae480 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/util/Prefs.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/util/Prefs.java
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ public class Prefs {
   }
 
   public static boolean isPushEnabled(Context context) {
-      return BuildConfig.USE_PLAY_SERVICES && getBooleanPreference(context, "pref_push_enabled", true);
+      return BuildConfig.USE_PLAY_SERVICES;
   }
 
   public static boolean isHardCompressionEnabled(Context context) {
diff --git a/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 5b2fdca3c..b5270ea2f 100644
--- a/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -1146,11 +1146,14 @@
 
     <!-- android specific strings, developers: please take care to remove strings that are no longer used! -->
     <string name="pref_instant_delivery">Instant Delivery</string>
+    <!-- deprecated -->
     <string name="pref_push_notifications">Use Push Service</string>
+    <!-- deprecated -->
     <string name="pref_push_notifications_explain">Reliable Push Notifications for Chatmail-Servers</string>
+    <!-- deprecated -->
     <string name="pref_push_ask_disable">Disable using Push Service?\n\nThis may result in delayed notifications.</string>
     <string name="pref_background_notifications">Use Background Connection</string>
-    <string name="pref_background_notifications_explain">Requires ignored battery optimizations, use if Push Service is unavailable</string>
+    <string name="pref_background_notifications_explain">Requires ignored battery optimizations, use if notifications don\'t arrive on time</string>
     <string name="pref_reliable_service">Force Background Connection</string>
     <string name="pref_reliable_service_explain">Causes a permanent notification</string>
 
diff --git a/src/main/res/xml/preferences_notifications.xml b/src/main/res/xml/preferences_notifications.xml
index af0009f93..db7b293a8 100644
--- a/src/main/res/xml/preferences_notifications.xml
+++ b/src/main/res/xml/preferences_notifications.xml
@@ -50,12 +50,6 @@
             android:defaultValue="true" />
 
         <PreferenceCategory android:title="@string/pref_instant_delivery">
-                <org.thoughtcrime.securesms.components.SwitchPreferenceCompat
-                    android:key="pref_push_enabled"
-                    android:defaultValue="true"
-                    android:title="@string/pref_push_notifications"
-                    android:summary="@string/pref_push_notifications_explain"/>
-
                 <org.thoughtcrime.securesms.components.SwitchPreferenceCompat
                     android:key="pref_ignore_battery_optimizations"
                     android:defaultValue="false"