It requires a google account though so I can’t use it :(
I don’t really understand why they insist on that as it doesn’t seem to use google otherwise. I do have google play services, just no account logged in (which is not necessary for things like push to work!)
Yep notifications require google play services installed. They do not require a google account or being signed in to one. It’s based on the device ID alone. I don’t have a google ID on my phone and push messages work just fine.