diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9ffc497f1..37bc3e00e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ Parameter | Description
 `options.android.sound` | `Boolean` Optional. If `true` it plays the sound specified in the push data or the default system sound. Default is `true`.
 `options.android.vibrate` | `Boolean` Optional. If `true` the device vibrates on receipt of notification. Default is `true`.
 `options.android.clearNotifications` | `Boolean` Optional. If `true` the app clears all pending notifications when it is closed. Default is `true`.
+`options.android.forceShow` | `Boolean` Optional. If `true` will always show a notification, even when the app is on the foreground. Default is `false`.
 `options.ios` | `JSON Object` iOS specific initialization options.
 `options.ios.alert` | `Boolean` Optional. If `true` the device shows an alert on receipt of notification. Default is `false`.
 `options.ios.badge` | `Boolean` Optional. If `true` the device sets the badge number on receipt of notification. Default is `false`.
diff --git a/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/GCMIntentService.java b/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/GCMIntentService.java
index b22712d0a..8589ce5dc 100644
--- a/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/GCMIntentService.java
+++ b/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/GCMIntentService.java
@@ -87,24 +87,42 @@ protected void onMessage(Context context, Intent intent) {
         // Extract the payload from the message
         Bundle extras = intent.getExtras();
         if (extras != null) {
-            // if we are in the foreground, just surface the payload, else post it to the statusbar
-            if (PushPlugin.isInForeground()) {
+
+            SharedPreferences prefs = context.getSharedPreferences(PushPlugin.COM_ADOBE_PHONEGAP_PUSH, Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
+            boolean forceShow = prefs.getBoolean(FORCE_SHOW, false);
+
+            // if we are in the foreground and forceShow is `false` only send data
+            if (!forceShow && PushPlugin.isInForeground()) {
                 extras.putBoolean(FOREGROUND, true);
                 PushPlugin.sendExtras(extras);
             }
+            // if we are in the foreground and forceShow is `true`, force show the notification if the data has at least a message or title
+            else if (forceShow && PushPlugin.isInForeground()) {
+                extras.putBoolean(FOREGROUND, true);
+                
+                showNotificationIfPossible(context, extras);
+            }
+            // if we are not in the foreground always send notification if the data has at least a message or title
             else {
                 extras.putBoolean(FOREGROUND, false);
 
-                // Send a notification if there is a message
-                String message = this.getMessageText(extras);
-                String title = getString(extras, TITLE, "");
-                if ((message != null && message.length() != 0) ||
-                        (title != null && title.length() != 0)) {
-                    createNotification(context, extras);
-                }
+                showNotificationIfPossible(context, extras);
             }
         }
     }
+    
+    private void showNotificationIfPossible (Context context, Bundle extras) {
+
+        // Send a notification if there is a message or title, otherwise just send data
+        String message = this.getMessageText(extras);
+        String title = getString(extras, TITLE, "");
+        if ((message != null && message.length() != 0) ||
+                (title != null && title.length() != 0)) {
+            createNotification(context, extras);
+        } else {
+            PushPlugin.sendExtras(extras);
+        }
+    }
 
     public void createNotification(Context context, Bundle extras) {
         NotificationManager mNotificationManager = (NotificationManager) getSystemService(Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE);
@@ -210,7 +228,7 @@ public void createNotification(Context context, Bundle extras) {
         setNotificationCount(extras, mBuilder);
 
         /*
-         * Notication add actions
+         * Notification add actions
          */
         createActions(extras, mBuilder, resources, packageName);
 
diff --git a/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushConstants.java b/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushConstants.java
index 09d7d4b9b..874b11968 100644
--- a/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushConstants.java
+++ b/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushConstants.java
@@ -41,4 +41,5 @@ public interface PushConstants {
     public static final String COUNT = "count";
     public static final String FROM = "from";
     public static final String COLLAPSE_KEY = "collapse_key";
+    public static final String FORCE_SHOW = "forceShow";
 }
diff --git a/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushPlugin.java b/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushPlugin.java
index 9be4ce2d6..0714d1b15 100644
--- a/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushPlugin.java
+++ b/src/android/com/adobe/phonegap/push/PushPlugin.java
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ public void run() {
                         editor.putBoolean(SOUND, jo.optBoolean(SOUND, true));
                         editor.putBoolean(VIBRATE, jo.optBoolean(VIBRATE, true));
                         editor.putBoolean(CLEAR_NOTIFICATIONS, jo.optBoolean(CLEAR_NOTIFICATIONS, true));
+                        editor.putBoolean(FORCE_SHOW, jo.optBoolean(FORCE_SHOW, false));
                         editor.commit();
                     }