Expo Location iconExpo Location

GitHub

npm

A library that provides access to reading geolocation information, polling current location or subscribing location update events from the device.

Android
iOS
Web

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

Installation

Terminal
npx expo install expo-location

If you are installing this in an existing React Native app, start by installing expo in your project. Then, follow the additional instructions as mentioned by the library's README under "Installation in bare React Native projects" section.

Configuration in app.json/app.config.js

You can configure expo-location using its built-in config plugin if you use config plugins in your project (EAS Build or npx expo run:[android|ios]). The plugin allows you to configure various properties that cannot be set at runtime and require building a new app binary to take effect.

Example app.json with config plugin

app.json
{
  "expo": {
    "plugins": [
      [
        "expo-location",
        {
          "locationAlwaysAndWhenInUsePermission": "Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location."
        }
      ]
    ]
  }
}

Configurable properties

NameDefaultDescription
locationAlwaysAndWhenInUsePermission"Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location"
Only for:
iOS

A string to set the NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription permission message.

locationAlwaysPermission"Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location"
Only for:
iOS

A string to set the NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription permission message.

locationWhenInUsePermission"Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location"
Only for:
iOS

A string to set the NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription permission message.

isIosBackgroundLocationEnabledfalse
Only for:
iOS

A boolean to enable location in the UIBackgroundModes in Info.plist.

isAndroidBackgroundLocationEnabledfalse
Only for:
Android

A boolean to enable the ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION permission.

isAndroidForegroundServiceEnabled-
Only for:
Android

A boolean to enable the FOREGROUND_SERVICE permission and FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION. Defaults to true if isAndroidBackgroundLocationEnabled is true, otherwise false.

Are you using this library in a bare React Native app?

Learn how to configure the native projects in the installation instructions in the expo-location repository.

Background Location methods

Warning: Background location tracking support is provided as-is and is not guaranteed to work in all scenarios. We currently are not prioritizing resources to improve it, but we hope to in the future. You may want to use react-native-background-geolocation instead — it requires purchasing a license and is a well-maintained and supported library that includes a config plugin.

To use Background Location methods, the following requirements apply:

  • Location permissions must be granted. On iOS it must be granted with Always option.
  • Background location task must be defined in the top-level scope, using TaskManager.defineTask.
  • iOS
    "location" background mode must be specified in Info.plist file. See background tasks configuration guide.

Geofencing methods

To use Geofencing methods, the following requirements apply:

  • Location permissions must be granted. On iOS it must be granted with Always option.
  • The Geofencing task must be defined in the top-level scope, using TaskManager.defineTask.
  • On iOS, there is a limit of 20 regions that can be simultaneously monitored.

Usage

If you're using the Android Emulator or iOS Simulator, ensure that Location is enabled.

Location
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import { Platform, Text, View, StyleSheet } from 'react-native';
%%placeholder-start%%%%placeholder-end%%import * as Device from 'expo-device';
import * as Location from 'expo-location';

export default function App() {
  const [location, setLocation] = useState(null);
  const [errorMsg, setErrorMsg] = useState(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    (async () => {
      %%placeholder-start%%%%placeholder-end%%if (Platform.OS === 'android' && !Device.isDevice) {
        setErrorMsg(
          'Oops, this will not work on Snack in an Android Emulator. Try it on your device!'
        );
        return;
      }
      let { status } = await Location.requestForegroundPermissionsAsync();
      if (status !== 'granted') {
        setErrorMsg('Permission to access location was denied');
        return;
      }

      let location = await Location.getCurrentPositionAsync({});
      setLocation(location);
    })();
  }, []);

  let text = 'Waiting..';
  if (errorMsg) {
    text = errorMsg;
  } else if (location) {
    text = JSON.stringify(location);
  }

  return (
    <View style={styles.container}>
      <Text style={styles.paragraph}>{text}</Text>
    </View>
  );
}

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: {
    flex: 1,
    alignItems: 'center',
    justifyContent: 'center',
    padding: 20,
  },
  paragraph: {
    fontSize: 18,
    textAlign: 'center',
  },
});

Enable Emulator Location

Android Emulator

Open Android Studio, and launch the Android Emulator. Inside it, go to Settings > Location and enable Use location.

If you don't receive the locations in the emulator, you may have to turn off the Improve Location Accuracy setting. This will turn off Wi-Fi location and only use GPS. Then you can manipulate the location with GPS data through the emulator.

For Android 12 and higher, go to Settings > Location > Location Services > Google Location Accuracy, and turn off Improve Location Accuracy. For Android 11 and lower, go to Settings > Location > Advanced > Google Location Accuracy, and turn off Google Location Accuracy.

iOS Simulator

With Simulator open, go to Features > Location and choose any option besides None.

API

import * as Location from 'expo-location';

Hooks

useBackgroundPermissions(options)

ParameterType
options
(optional)
PermissionHookOptions<object>

Check or request permissions for the background location. This uses both requestBackgroundPermissionsAsync and getBackgroundPermissionsAsync to interact with the permissions.

Returns:

[null | PermissionResponse, RequestPermissionMethod<PermissionResponse>, GetPermissionMethod<PermissionResponse>]

Example

const [status, requestPermission] = Location.useBackgroundPermissions();

useForegroundPermissions(options)

ParameterType
options
(optional)
PermissionHookOptions<object>

Check or request permissions for the foreground location. This uses both requestForegroundPermissionsAsync and getForegroundPermissionsAsync to interact with the permissions.

Returns:

[null | LocationPermissionResponse, RequestPermissionMethod<LocationPermissionResponse>, GetPermissionMethod<LocationPermissionResponse>]

Example

const [status, requestPermission] = Location.useForegroundPermissions();

Methods

Location.enableNetworkProviderAsync()

Asks the user to turn on high accuracy location mode which enables network provider that uses Google Play services to improve location accuracy and location-based services.

Returns:

Promise<void>

A promise resolving as soon as the user accepts the dialog. Rejects if denied.

Location.geocodeAsync(address, options)

ParameterTypeDescription
addressstring

A string representing address, eg. "Baker Street London".

options
(optional)
LocationGeocodingOptions-

Geocode an address string to latitude-longitude location.

Note: Using the Geocoding web api is no longer supported. Use Place Autocomplete instead.

Note: Geocoding is resource consuming and has to be used reasonably. Creating too many requests at a time can result in an error, so they have to be managed properly. It's also discouraged to use geocoding while the app is in the background and its results won't be shown to the user immediately.

On Android, you must request a location permission (Permissions.LOCATION) from the user before geocoding can be used.

A promise which fulfills with an array (in most cases its size is 1) of LocationGeocodedLocation objects.

Location.getBackgroundPermissionsAsync()

Checks user's permissions for accessing location while the app is in the background.

A promise that fulfills with an object of type PermissionResponse.

Location.getCurrentPositionAsync(options)

ParameterType
options
(optional)
LocationOptions

Requests for one-time delivery of the user's current location. Depending on given accuracy option it may take some time to resolve, especially when you're inside a building.

Note: Calling it causes the location manager to obtain a location fix which may take several seconds. Consider using Location.getLastKnownPositionAsync if you expect to get a quick response and high accuracy is not required.

A promise which fulfills with an object of type LocationObject.

Location.getForegroundPermissionsAsync()

Checks user's permissions for accessing location while the app is in the foreground.

A promise that fulfills with an object of type PermissionResponse.

Location.getHeadingAsync()

Gets the current heading information from the device. To simplify, it calls watchHeadingAsync and waits for a couple of updates, and then returns the one that is accurate enough.

A promise which fulfills with an object of type LocationHeadingObject.

Location.getLastKnownPositionAsync(options)

ParameterType
options
(optional)
LocationLastKnownOptions

Gets the last known position of the device or null if it's not available or doesn't match given requirements such as maximum age or required accuracy. It's considered to be faster than getCurrentPositionAsync as it doesn't request for the current location, but keep in mind the returned location may not be up-to-date.

Returns:

Promise<LocationObject | null>

A promise which fulfills with an object of type LocationObject or null if it's not available or doesn't match given requirements such as maximum age or required accuracy.

Location.getPermissionsAsync()

Checks user's permissions for accessing location.

A promise that fulfills with an object of type LocationPermissionResponse.

Location.getProviderStatusAsync()

Check status of location providers.

A promise which fulfills with an object of type LocationProviderStatus.

Location.hasServicesEnabledAsync()

Checks whether location services are enabled by the user.

Returns:

Promise<boolean>

A promise which fulfills to true if location services are enabled on the device, or false if not.

Location.hasStartedGeofencingAsync(taskName)

ParameterTypeDescription
taskNamestring

Name of the geofencing task to check.


Returns:

Promise<boolean>

A promise which fulfills with boolean value indicating whether the geofencing task is started or not.

Location.hasStartedLocationUpdatesAsync(taskName)

ParameterTypeDescription
taskNamestring

Name of the location task to check.


Returns:

Promise<boolean>

A promise which fulfills with boolean value indicating whether the location task is started or not.

Location.installWebGeolocationPolyfill()

Polyfills navigator.geolocation for interop with the core React Native and Web API approach to geolocation.

Returns:

void

Location.requestBackgroundPermissionsAsync()

Asks the user to grant permissions for location while the app is in the background. On Android 11 or higher: this method will open the system settings page - before that happens you should explain to the user why your application needs background location permission. For example, you can use Modal component from react-native to do that.

Note: Foreground permissions should be granted before asking for the background permissions (your app can't obtain background permission without foreground permission).

A promise that fulfills with an object of type PermissionResponse.

Location.requestForegroundPermissionsAsync()

Asks the user to grant permissions for location while the app is in the foreground.

A promise that fulfills with an object of type PermissionResponse.

Location.requestPermissionsAsync()

Asks the user to grant permissions for location.

A promise that fulfills with an object of type LocationPermissionResponse.

Location.reverseGeocodeAsync(location, options)

ParameterTypeDescription
locationPick<LocationGeocodedLocation, 'latitude' | 'longitude'>

An object representing a location.

options
(optional)
LocationGeocodingOptions-

Reverse geocode a location to postal address.

Note: Using the Geocoding web api is no longer supported. Use Place Autocomplete instead.

Note: Geocoding is resource consuming and has to be used reasonably. Creating too many requests at a time can result in an error, so they have to be managed properly. It's also discouraged to use geocoding while the app is in the background and its results won't be shown to the user immediately.

On Android, you must request a location permission (Permissions.LOCATION) from the user before geocoding can be used.

A promise which fulfills with an array (in most cases its size is 1) of LocationGeocodedAddress objects.

Deprecated The Geocoding web api is no longer available from SDK 49 onwards. Use Place Autocomplete instead.

Location.setGoogleApiKey(_apiKey)

ParameterTypeDescription
_apiKeystring

Google API key obtained from Google API Console. This API key must have Geocoding API enabled, otherwise your geocoding requests will be denied.


Returns:

void

Location.startGeofencingAsync(taskName, regions)

ParameterTypeDescription
taskNamestring

Name of the task that will be called when the device enters or exits from specified regions.

regions
(optional)
LocationRegion[]

Array of region objects to be geofenced.

Default:[]

Starts geofencing for given regions. When the new event comes, the task with specified name will be called with the region that the device enter to or exit from. If you want to add or remove regions from already running geofencing task, you can just call startGeofencingAsync again with the new array of regions.

Task parameters

Geofencing task will be receiving following data:

  • eventType - Indicates the reason for calling the task, which can be triggered by entering or exiting the region. See GeofencingEventType.
  • region - Object containing details about updated region. See LocationRegion for more details.
Returns:

Promise<void>

A promise resolving as soon as the task is registered.

Example

import { GeofencingEventType } from 'expo-location';
import * as TaskManager from 'expo-task-manager';

 TaskManager.defineTask(YOUR_TASK_NAME, ({ data: { eventType, region }, error }) => {
  if (error) {
    // check `error.message` for more details.
    return;
  }
  if (eventType === GeofencingEventType.Enter) {
    console.log("You've entered region:", region);
  } else if (eventType === GeofencingEventType.Exit) {
    console.log("You've left region:", region);
  }
});

Location.startLocationUpdatesAsync(taskName, options)

ParameterTypeDescription
taskNamestring

Name of the task receiving location updates.

options
(optional)
LocationTaskOptions

An object of options passed to the location manager.


Registers for receiving location updates that can also come when the app is in the background.

Task parameters

Background location task will be receiving following data:

  • locations - An array of the new locations.
import * as TaskManager from 'expo-task-manager';

TaskManager.defineTask(YOUR_TASK_NAME, ({ data: { locations }, error }) => {
 if (error) {
   // check `error.message` for more details.
   return;
 }
 console.log('Received new locations', locations);
});
Returns:

Promise<void>

A promise resolving once the task with location updates is registered.

Location.stopGeofencingAsync(taskName)

ParameterTypeDescription
taskNamestring

Name of the task to unregister.


Stops geofencing for specified task. It unregisters the background task so the app will not be receiving any updates, especially in the background.

Returns:

Promise<void>

A promise resolving as soon as the task is unregistered.

Location.stopLocationUpdatesAsync(taskName)

ParameterTypeDescription
taskNamestring

Name of the background location task to stop.


Stops geofencing for specified task.

Returns:

Promise<void>

A promise resolving as soon as the task is unregistered.

Location.watchHeadingAsync(callback)

ParameterTypeDescription
callbackLocationHeadingCallback

This function is called on each compass update. It receives an object of type LocationHeadingObject as the first argument.


Subscribe to compass updates from the device.

A promise which fulfills with a LocationSubscription object.

Location.watchPositionAsync(options, callback)

ParameterTypeDescription
optionsLocationOptions-
callbackLocationCallback

This function is called on each location update. It receives an object of type LocationObject as the first argument.


Subscribe to location updates from the device. Please note that updates will only occur while the application is in the foreground. To get location updates while in background you'll need to use Location.startLocationUpdatesAsync.

A promise which fulfills with a LocationSubscription object.

Interfaces

PermissionResponse

An object obtained by permissions get and request functions.

PermissionResponse Properties

NameTypeDescription
canAskAgainboolean

Indicates if user can be asked again for specific permission. If not, one should be directed to the Settings app in order to enable/disable the permission.

expiresPermissionExpiration

Determines time when the permission expires.

grantedboolean

A convenience boolean that indicates if the permission is granted.

statusPermissionStatus

Determines the status of the permission.


Types

LocationCallback()

Represents watchPositionAsync callback.

ParameterType
locationLocationObject
Returns:

any

LocationGeocodedAddress

Type representing a result of reverseGeocodeAsync.

NameTypeDescription
citystring | null

City name of the address.

countrystring | null

Localized country name of the address.

districtstring | null

Additional city-level information like district name.

formattedAddressstring | null
Only for:
Android

Composed string of the address components, for example, "111 8th Avenue, New York, NY".

isoCountryCodestring | null

Localized (ISO) country code of the address, if available.

namestring | null

The name of the placemark, for example, "Tower Bridge".

postalCodestring | null

Postal code of the address.

regionstring | null

The state or province associated with the address.

streetstring | null

Street name of the address.

streetNumberstring | null

Street number of the address.

subregionstring | null

Additional information about administrative area.

timezonestring | null
Only for:
iOS

The timezone identifier associated with the address.

LocationGeocodedLocation

Type representing a result of geocodeAsync.

NameTypeDescription
accuracy
(optional)
number

The radius of uncertainty for the location, measured in meters.

altitude
(optional)
number

The altitude in meters above the WGS 84 reference ellipsoid.

latitudenumber

The latitude in degrees.

longitudenumber

The longitude in degrees.

LocationGeocodingOptions

An object of options for forward and reverse geocoding.

NameTypeDescription
useGoogleMaps
(optional)
boolean

Whether to force using Google Maps API instead of the native implementation. Used by default only on Web platform. Requires providing an API key by setGoogleApiKey.

LocationHeadingCallback()

Represents watchHeadingAsync callback.

ParameterType
locationLocationHeadingObject
Returns:

any

LocationHeadingObject

Type of the object containing heading details and provided by watchHeadingAsync callback.

NameTypeDescription
accuracynumber

Level of calibration of compass.

  • 3: high accuracy, 2: medium accuracy, 1: low accuracy, 0: none Reference for iOS:
  • 3: < 20 degrees uncertainty, 2: < 35 degrees, 1: < 50 degrees, 0: > 50 degrees
magHeadingnumber

Measure of magnetic north in degrees.

trueHeadingnumber

Measure of true north in degrees (needs location permissions, will return -1 if not given).

LocationLastKnownOptions

Type representing options object that can be passed to getLastKnownPositionAsync.

NameTypeDescription
maxAge
(optional)
number

A number of milliseconds after which the last known location starts to be invalid and thus null is returned.

requiredAccuracy
(optional)
number

The maximum radius of uncertainty for the location, measured in meters. If the last known location's accuracy radius is bigger (less accurate) then null is returned.

LocationObject

Type representing the location object.

NameTypeDescription
coordsLocationObjectCoords

The coordinates of the position.

mocked
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
Android

Whether the location coordinates is mocked or not.

timestampnumber

The time at which this position information was obtained, in milliseconds since epoch.

LocationObjectCoords

Type representing the location GPS related data.

NameTypeDescription
accuracynumber | null

The radius of uncertainty for the location, measured in meters. Can be null on Web if it's not available.

altitudenumber | null

The altitude in meters above the WGS 84 reference ellipsoid. Can be null on Web if it's not available.

altitudeAccuracynumber | null

The accuracy of the altitude value, in meters. Can be null on Web if it's not available.

headingnumber | null

Horizontal direction of travel of this device, measured in degrees starting at due north and continuing clockwise around the compass. Thus, north is 0 degrees, east is 90 degrees, south is 180 degrees, and so on. Can be null on Web if it's not available.

latitudenumber

The latitude in degrees.

longitudenumber

The longitude in degrees.

speednumber | null

The instantaneous speed of the device in meters per second. Can be null on Web if it's not available.

LocationOptions

Type representing options argument in getCurrentPositionAsync.

NameTypeDescription
accuracy
(optional)
Accuracy

Location manager accuracy. Pass one of Accuracy enum values. For low-accuracies the implementation can avoid geolocation providers that consume a significant amount of power (such as GPS).

distanceInterval
(optional)
number

Receive updates only when the location has changed by at least this distance in meters. Default value may depend on accuracy option.

mayShowUserSettingsDialog
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
Android

Specifies whether to ask the user to turn on improved accuracy location mode which uses Wi-Fi, cell networks and GPS sensor.

Default:true
timeInterval
(optional)
number
Only for:
Android

Minimum time to wait between each update in milliseconds. Default value may depend on accuracy option.

LocationPermissionResponse

LocationPermissionResponse extends PermissionResponse type exported by expo-modules-core and contains additional platform-specific fields.

Type: PermissionResponse extended by:


NameTypeDescription
android
(optional)
PermissionDetailsLocationAndroid-
ios
(optional)
PermissionDetailsLocationIOS-

LocationProviderStatus

Represents the object containing details about location provider.

NameTypeDescription
backgroundModeEnabledboolean-
gpsAvailable
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
Android

Whether the GPS provider is available. If true the location data will come from GPS, especially for requests with high accuracy.

locationServicesEnabledboolean

Whether location services are enabled. See Location.hasServicesEnabledAsync for a more convenient solution to get this value.

networkAvailable
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
Android

Whether the network provider is available. If true the location data will come from cellular network, especially for requests with low accuracy.

passiveAvailable
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
Android

Whether the passive provider is available. If true the location data will be determined passively.

LocationRegion

Type representing geofencing region object.

NameTypeDescription
identifier
(optional)
string

The identifier of the region object. Defaults to auto-generated UUID hash.

latitudenumber

The latitude in degrees of region's center point.

longitudenumber

The longitude in degrees of region's center point.

notifyOnEnter
(optional)
boolean

Boolean value whether to call the task if the device enters the region.

Default:true
notifyOnExit
(optional)
boolean

Boolean value whether to call the task if the device exits the region.

Default:true
radiusnumber

The radius measured in meters that defines the region's outer boundary.

state
(optional)
GeofencingRegionState

One of GeofencingRegionState region state. Determines whether the device is inside or outside a region.

LocationSubscription

Represents subscription object returned by methods watching for new locations or headings.

NameTypeDescription
remove() => void

Call this function with no arguments to remove this subscription. The callback will no longer be called for location updates.

LocationTaskOptions

Type representing background location task options.

Type: LocationOptions extended by:


NameTypeDescription
activityType
(optional)
ActivityType
Only for:
iOS

The type of user activity associated with the location updates.

Default:ActivityType.Other

See: See Apple docs for more details.

deferredUpdatesDistance
(optional)
number

The distance in meters that must occur between last reported location and the current location before deferred locations are reported.

Default:0
deferredUpdatesInterval
(optional)
number

Minimum time interval in milliseconds that must pass since last reported location before all later locations are reported in a batched update

Default:0
deferredUpdatesTimeout
(optional)
number-
foregroundService
(optional)
LocationTaskServiceOptions-
pausesUpdatesAutomatically
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
iOS

A boolean value indicating whether the location manager can pause location updates to improve battery life without sacrificing location data. When this option is set to true, the location manager pauses updates (and powers down the appropriate hardware) at times when the location data is unlikely to change. You can help the determination of when to pause location updates by assigning a value to the activityType property.

Default:false
showsBackgroundLocationIndicator
(optional)
boolean
Only for:
iOS 11+

A boolean indicating whether the status bar changes its appearance when location services are used in the background.

Default:false

LocationTaskServiceOptions

NameTypeDescription
killServiceOnDestroy
(optional)
boolean

Boolean value whether to destroy the foreground service if the app is killed.

notificationBodystring

Subtitle of the foreground service notification.

notificationColor
(optional)
string

Color of the foreground service notification. Accepts #RRGGBB and #AARRGGBB hex formats.

notificationTitlestring

Title of the foreground service notification.

PermissionDetailsLocationAndroid

NameTypeDescription
accuracy'fine' | 'coarse' | 'none'

Indicates the type of location provider.

scope'fine' | 'coarse' | 'none'

Deprecated Use accuracy field instead.

PermissionDetailsLocationIOS

NameTypeDescription
scope'whenInUse' | 'always' | 'none'

The scope of granted permission. Indicates when it's possible to use location.

PermissionHookOptions

Literal Type: multiple types

Acceptable values are: PermissionHookBehavior | Options

Enums

Accuracy

Enum with available location accuracies.

Accuracy Values

Lowest

Accuracy.Lowest = 1

Accurate to the nearest three kilometers.

Low

Accuracy.Low = 2

Accurate to the nearest kilometer.

Balanced

Accuracy.Balanced = 3

Accurate to within one hundred meters.

High

Accuracy.High = 4

Accurate to within ten meters of the desired target.

Highest

Accuracy.Highest = 5

The best level of accuracy available.

BestForNavigation

Accuracy.BestForNavigation = 6

The highest possible accuracy that uses additional sensor data to facilitate navigation apps.

ActivityType

Enum with available activity types of background location tracking.

ActivityType Values

Other

ActivityType.Other = 1

Default activity type. Use it if there is no other type that matches the activity you track.

AutomotiveNavigation

ActivityType.AutomotiveNavigation = 2

Location updates are being used specifically during vehicular navigation to track location changes to the automobile.

Fitness

ActivityType.Fitness = 3

Use this activity type if you track fitness activities such as walking, running, cycling, and so on.

OtherNavigation

ActivityType.OtherNavigation = 4

Activity type for movements for other types of vehicular navigation that are not automobile related.

Only for:
iOS 12+

Airborne

ActivityType.Airborne = 5

Intended for airborne activities. Fall backs to ActivityType.Other if unsupported.

GeofencingEventType

A type of the event that geofencing task can receive.

GeofencingEventType Values

Enter

GeofencingEventType.Enter = 1

Emitted when the device entered observed region.

Exit

GeofencingEventType.Exit = 2

Occurs as soon as the device left observed region

GeofencingRegionState

State of the geofencing region that you receive through the geofencing task.

GeofencingRegionState Values

Unknown

GeofencingRegionState.Unknown = 0

Indicates that the device position related to the region is unknown.

Inside

GeofencingRegionState.Inside = 1

Indicates that the device is inside the region.

Outside

GeofencingRegionState.Outside = 2

Inverse of inside state.

PermissionStatus

PermissionStatus Values

DENIED

PermissionStatus.DENIED = "denied"

User has denied the permission.

GRANTED

PermissionStatus.GRANTED = "granted"

User has granted the permission.

UNDETERMINED

PermissionStatus.UNDETERMINED = "undetermined"

User hasn't granted or denied the permission yet.

Permissions

Android

Note: Foreground and background services are not available in Expo Go for Android.

When you install the expo-location module, it automatically adds the following permissions:

  • ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION: for approximate device location
  • ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION: for precise device location

The following permissions are optional:

Android PermissionDescription

ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION

Allows an app to access approximate location.

Alternatively, you might want ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION.

ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION

Allows an app to access precise location.

Alternatively, you might want ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION.

FOREGROUND_SERVICE

Allows a regular application to use Service.startForeground.

Allows a regular application to use Service.startForeground.

FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION

Allows a regular application to use Service.startForeground with the type "location".

Allows a regular application to use Service.startForeground with the type "location".

ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION

Allows an app to access location in the background.

If you're requesting this permission, you must also request either ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION or ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION. Requesting this permission by itself doesn't give you location access.

Excluding a permission

Note: Excluding a required permission from a module in your app can break the functionality corresponding to that permission. Always make sure to include all permissions a module is dependent on.

When your Expo project doesn't benefit from having particular permission included, you can omit it. For example, if your application doesn't need access to the precise location, you can exclude the ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission.

Another example can be stated using available location accuracies. Android defines the approximate location accuracy estimation within about 3 square kilometers, and the precise location accuracy estimation within about 50 meters. For example, if the location accuracy value is Low, you can exclude ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission. To learn more about levels of location accuracies, see Android documentation.

To learn more on how to exclude permission, see Excluding Android permissions.

iOS

The following usage description keys are used by this library:

Info.plist KeyDescription

NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription

A message that tells the user why the app is requesting access to the user’s location information at all times.

NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription

A message that tells the user why the app is requesting access to the user's location at all times.DeprecatedFor apps deployed to targets in iOS 11 and later, use NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription instead.

NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription

A message that tells the user why the app is requesting access to the user’s location information while the app is running in the foreground.