expo-location

What is expo-location?

The expo-location package provides an API to access and manage the device's location services. It allows you to get the current location, watch for location changes, and geocode or reverse geocode locations.

What are expo-location's main functionalities?

Get Current Location

This feature allows you to get the current location of the device. The code sample demonstrates how to request permission to access location services and then retrieve the current position.

```javascript
import * as Location from 'expo-location';

async function getCurrentLocation() {
  let { status } = await Location.requestForegroundPermissionsAsync();
  if (status !== 'granted') {
    console.log('Permission to access location was denied');
    return;
  }

  let location = await Location.getCurrentPositionAsync({});
  console.log(location);
}
```

Watch Location Changes

This feature allows you to watch for location changes. The code sample demonstrates how to request permission and then set up a watcher that logs the location every time it changes.

```javascript
import * as Location from 'expo-location';

async function watchLocation() {
  let { status } = await Location.requestForegroundPermissionsAsync();
  if (status !== 'granted') {
    console.log('Permission to access location was denied');
    return;
  }

  Location.watchPositionAsync({
    accuracy: Location.Accuracy.High,
    timeInterval: 1000,
    distanceInterval: 1,
  }, (location) => {
    console.log(location);
  });
}
```

Geocoding

This feature allows you to convert an address into geographic coordinates. The code sample demonstrates how to use the geocodeAsync method to get the coordinates of a given address.

```javascript
import * as Location from 'expo-location';

async function geocodeAddress(address) {
  let geocode = await Location.geocodeAsync(address);
  console.log(geocode);
}
```

Reverse Geocoding

This feature allows you to convert geographic coordinates into a human-readable address. The code sample demonstrates how to use the reverseGeocodeAsync method to get the address of a given set of coordinates.

```javascript
import * as Location from 'expo-location';

async function reverseGeocodeLocation(latitude, longitude) {
  let reverseGeocode = await Location.reverseGeocodeAsync({ latitude, longitude });
  console.log(reverseGeocode);
}
```

Other packages similar to expo-location

react-native-geolocation-service

The react-native-geolocation-service package provides similar functionality to expo-location, allowing you to get the current location, watch for location changes, and more. It is a more direct wrapper around the native geolocation APIs and may offer more control and customization options.

react-native-location

The react-native-location package offers similar features to expo-location, including getting the current location and watching for location changes. It also provides additional features like background location updates, which can be useful for certain types of applications.

react-native-maps

The react-native-maps package is primarily used for rendering maps, but it also includes location tracking features. It can be a good choice if you need both mapping and location services in your application.

README

Allows reading geolocation information from the device. Your app can poll for the current location or subscribe to location update events.

API documentation

• Documentation for the main branch
• Documentation for the latest stable release

Installation in managed Expo projects

For managed Expo projects, please follow the installation instructions in the API documentation for the latest stable release.

Installation in bare React Native projects

For bare React Native projects, you must ensure that you have installed and configured the expo package before continuing.

Add the package to your npm dependencies

npx expo install expo-location

Configure for iOS

Add NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription, NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription and NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription keys to your Info.plist:

<key>NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location</string>
<key>NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
<string>Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location</string>
<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location</string>

Run npx pod-install after installing the npm package.

Configure for Android

This module requires the permissions for approximate and exact device location. It also needs the foreground service permission to subscribe to location updates, while the app is in use. These permissions are automatically added.

<!-- Added permissions -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />

<!-- Optional permissions -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" />

Note: on Android, you have to submit your app for review and request access to use the background location permission or foreground location permissions.

Contributing

Contributions are very welcome! Please refer to guidelines described in the contributing guide.