react-native-geolocation-service

React native geolocation service for iOS and android.

Why ?

This library is created in an attempt to fix the location timeout issue on android with the react-native's current implementation of Geolocation API. This library tries to solve the issue by using Google Play Service's new FusedLocationProviderClient API, which Google strongly recommends over android's default framework location API. It automatically decides which provider to use based on your request configuration and also prompts you to change the location mode if it doesn't satisfy your current request configuration.

NOTE: Location request can still timeout since many android devices have GPS issue in the hardware level or in the system software level. Check the FAQ for more details.

Installation

yarn

yarn add react-native-geolocation-service

npm

npm install react-native-geolocation-service

Compatibility

Setup

iOS

You need to include the NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription key in Info.plist to enable geolocation when using the app. In order to enable geolocation in the background, you need to include the NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription key in Info.plist and add location as a background mode in the 'Capabilities' tab in Xcode.

Android

No additional setup is required for 0.60 or above.

Usage

Since this library was meant to be a drop-in replacement for the RN's Geolocation API, the usage is pretty straight forward, with some extra error cases to handle.

One thing to note, this library assumes that location permission is already granted by the user, so you have to use PermissionsAndroid to request for permission before making the location request.

...
import Geolocation from 'react-native-geolocation-service';
...

componentDidMount() {
    // Instead of navigator.geolocation, just use Geolocation.
    if (hasLocationPermission) {
        Geolocation.getCurrentPosition(
            (position) => {
                console.log(position);
            },
            (error) => {
                // See error code charts below.
                console.log(error.code, error.message);
            },
            { enableHighAccuracy: true, timeout: 15000, maximumAge: 10000 }
        );
    }
}

API

setRNConfiguration(options) (iOS only)

• options:

  Name	Type	Default	Description
  skipPermissionRequests	bool	false	If true, you must request permissions before using Geolocation APIs.
  authorizationLevel	string	--	Changes whether the user will be asked to give "always" or "when in use" location services permission. Any other value or auto will use the default behaviour, where the permission level is based on the contents of your Info.plist. Possible values are whenInUse, always and auto.

requestAuthorization() (iOS only)

Request suitable Location permission based on the key configured on pList. If NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription is set, it will request Always authorization, although if NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription is set, it will request InUse authorization.

getCurrentPosition(successCallback, ?errorCallback, ?options)

• successCallback: Invoked with latest location info.

• errorCallback: Invoked whenever an error is encountered.

• options:

  Name	Type	Default	Description
  timeout	ms	--	Request timeout
  maximumAge	ms	INFINITY	How long previous location will be cached
  enableHighAccuracy	bool	false	Use high accuracy mode
  distanceFilter	m	0	Minimum displacement in meters
  showLocationDialog	bool	true	Whether to ask to enable location in Android
  forceRequestLocation	bool	false	Force request location even after denying improve accuracy dialog

watchPosition(successCallback, ?errorCallback, ?options)

• successCallback: Invoked with latest location info.

• errorCallback: Invoked whenever an error is encountered.

• options:

  Name	Type	Default	Description
  enableHighAccuracy	bool	false	Use high accuracy mode
  distanceFilter	m	100	Minimum displacement between location updates in meters
  interval	ms	10000	Interval for active location updates
  fastestInterval	ms	5000	Fastest rate at which your application will receive location updates, which might be faster than interval in some situations (for example, if other applications are triggering location updates)
  showLocationDialog	bool	true	whether to ask to enable location in Android
  forceRequestLocation	bool	false	Force request location even after denying improve accuracy dialog

clearWatch(watchId)

• watchId (id returned by watchPosition)

stopObserving()

Stops observing for device location changes. In addition, it removes all listeners previously registered.

Error Codes

FAQ

1. Location timeout still happening ?

   Try the following steps: (Taken from here)

   • Turn phone off/on
   • Turn GPS off/on
   • Disable any battery saver settings, including Power Saving Mode, Battery Management or any third party apps
   • Perform an "AGPS reset": Install the App GPS Status & Toolbox, then in that app, go to Menu > Tools > Manage A-GPS State > Reset

   Adjusting battery saver settings on different devices:

   • HTC: Access your phone settings > battery > power saving mode > battery optimization > select your app > don't optimize > save
   • Huawei: Turn Energy Settings to Normal and add your app to "Protected Apps"
   • LG If you're running Android 6 or higher: Settings > battery & power saving > battery usage > ignore optimizations > turn ON for your app
   • Motorola If you're running Android 6 or higher: Battery > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > battery optimization > not optimized > all apps > select your app > don't optimize
   • OnePlus (using OxygenOS Settings): Battery > battery optimization > switch to 'all apps' > select your app > don't optimize
   • Samsung: Access battery settings > app power saving > details > your app > disabled
   • Sony If you're running Android 6 or higher: Battery > from the menu in the upper right-hand corner > battery optimization > apps > your app
   • Xiaomi (MIUI OS) If you're running Android 6 or higher: Access your phone settings > additional settings > battery and performance > manage battery usage > apps > your app