/react-native-background-geolocation

Background and foreground geolocation plugin for React Native. Tracks user when app is running in background.

Primary LanguageObjective-CApache License 2.0Apache-2.0

react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation

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Description

React Native fork of cordova-plugin-background-geolocation with battery-saving "circular region monitoring" and "stop detection".

Plugin can be used for geolocation when app is running in foreground or background.

You can choose from following location providers:

  • DISTANCE_FILTER_PROVIDER
  • ACTIVITY_PROVIDER (Android only)
  • RAW_PROVIDER

See Which provider should I use? for more information about providers.

Breaking changes

0.4.x:

  • start method doesn't accept callback (use .on("start") event)
  • stop method doesn't accept callback (use .on("stop") event)
  • for background syncing syncUrl option is required. In version 0.3.x if syncUrl was not set url was used.
  • plugin constants are in directly BackgroundGeolocation namespace. (check index.js)
  • location property locationId renamed to just id
  • iOS pauseLocationUpdates now default to false (becuase iOS docs now states that you need to restart manually if you set it to true)
  • iOS no more requires to call finish method. Instead you can optionally start long running task with startTask

Compatibility

Due to the rapid changes being made in the React Native ecosystem, this module will support only latest version of React Native. Older versions will only be supported, if they're compatible with this module.

Module React Native
0.1.0 - 0.2.0 0.33
>=0.3.0 >=0.47

If you are using an older version of React Native with this module some features may be buggy.

If you are using react-native-maps or another lib that requires react-native-maps such as Exponent.js or airbnb's react-native-maps then aditionally to the instalation steps described here, you must also change node_modules/react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation/android/lib/build.gradle in order to gms:play-services-locations match the same version used by those libraries. (in this case 9.8.0)

dependencies {
    ...
    compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-location:9.8.0'
    ...
}

Submitting issues

All new issues should follow instructions in ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md. Properly filled issue report will significantly reduce number of follow up questions and decrease issue resolving time. Most issues cannot be resolved without debug logs. Please try to isolate debug lines related to your issue. Instructions how to prepare debug logs can be found in section Debugging. If you're reporting app crash, debug logs might not contain all needed informations about the cause of the crash. In that case, also provide relevant parts of output of adb logcat command.

Example Apps

Repository react-native-background-geolocation-example is hosting example app for both iOS and Android platform.

Quick example

import React, { Component } from 'react';
import { Alert } from 'react-native';
import BackgroundGeolocation from 'react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation';

class BgTracking extends Component {
  componentDidMount() {
    BackgroundGeolocation.configure({
      desiredAccuracy: 10,
      stationaryRadius: 50,
      distanceFilter: 50,
      notificationTitle: 'Background tracking',
      notificationText: 'enabled',
      debug: true,
      startOnBoot: false,
      stopOnTerminate: false,
      locationProvider: BackgroundGeolocation.ACTIVITY_PROVIDER,
      interval: 10000,
      fastestInterval: 5000,
      activitiesInterval: 10000,
      stopOnStillActivity: false,
      url: 'http://192.168.81.15:3000/location',
      httpHeaders: {
        'X-FOO': 'bar'
      }
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('location', (location) => {
      // handle your locations here
      // to perform long running operation on iOS
      // you need to create background task
      BackgroundGeolocation.startTask(taskKey => {
        // execute long running task
        // eg. ajax post location
        // IMPORTANT: task has to be ended by endTask
        BackgroundGeolocation.endTask(taskKey);
      });
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('stationary', (stationaryLocation) => {
      // handle stationary locations here
      Actions.sendLocation(stationaryLocation);
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('error', (error) => {
      console.log('[ERROR] BackgroundGeolocation error:', error);
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('start', () => {
      console.log('[INFO] BackgroundGeolocation service has been started');
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('stop', () => {
      console.log('[INFO] BackgroundGeolocation service has been stopped');
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('authorization', (status) => {
      console.log('[INFO] BackgroundGeolocation authorization status: ' + status);
      if (status !== BackgroundGeolocation.AUTHORIZED) {
        Alert.alert('Location services are disabled', 'Would you like to open location settings?', [
          { text: 'Yes', onPress: () => BackgroundGeolocation.showLocationSettings() },
          { text: 'No', onPress: () => console.log('No Pressed'), style: 'cancel' }
        ]);
      }
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('background', () => {
      console.log('[INFO] App is in background');
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.on('foreground', () => {
      console.log('[INFO] App is in foreground');
    });

    BackgroundGeolocation.checkStatus(status => {
      console.log('[INFO] BackgroundGeolocation service is running', status.isRunning);
      console.log('[INFO] BackgroundGeolocation service has permissions', status.hasPermissions);
      console.log('[INFO] BackgroundGeolocation auth status: ' + status.authorization);

      // you don't need to check status before start (this is just the example)
      if (!status.isRunning) {
        BackgroundGeolocation.start(); //triggers start on start event
      }
    });

    // you can also just start without checking for status
    // BackgroundGeolocation.start();
  }

  componentWillUnmount() {
    // unregister all event listeners
    BackgroundGeolocation.events.forEach(event => BackgroundGeolocation.removeAllListeners(event));
  }
}

export default BgTracking;

Instalation

Add package to your project

npm install react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation --save

Android setup

In android/settings.gradle

...
include ':react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation', ':app'
project(':react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation').projectDir = new File(rootProject.projectDir, '../node_modules/react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation/android/lib')
...

In android/app/build.gradle

dependencies {
    ...
    compile project(':react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation')
    ...
}

In android/src/main/res/values/strings.xml

Properties @account_type and @content_authority should be prefixed with your application package class.

<resources>
<!-- Make sure you override following in your app res/values/strings.xml -->
    <string name="app_name">APP_NAME</string>
    <string name="account_type">com.yourcompany.account</string>
    <string name="content_authority">com.yourcompany.authority</string>
</resources>

Register module (in MainApplication.java)

import com.marianhello.react.BackgroundGeolocationPackage;  // <--- Import Package

public class MainApplication extends Application implements ReactApplication {
  ...
  /**
   * A list of packages used by the app. If the app uses additional views
   * or modules besides the default ones, add more packages here.
   */
  @Override
  protected List<ReactPackage> getPackages() {
      return Arrays.<ReactPackage>asList(
          new MainReactPackage(),
          new BackgroundGeolocationPackage() // <---- Add the Package
      );
  }
  ...
}

Dependencies

You will need to ensure that you have installed the following items through the Android SDK Manager:

Name Version
Android SDK Tools 24.4.1
Android SDK Platform-tools 23.1
Android SDK Build-tools 23.0.1
Android Support Repository 25
Android Support Library 23.1.1
Google Play Services 29
Google Repository 24

iOS setup

  1. In XCode, in the project navigator, right click LibrariesAdd Files to [your project's name]
  2. add ./node_modules/react-native-mauron85-background-geolocation/ios/RCTBackgroundGeolocation.xcodeproj
  3. In the XCode project navigator, select your project, select the Build Phases tab and in the Link Binary With Libraries section add libRCTBackgroundGeolocation.a
  4. add UIBackgroundModes location to Info.plist

For iOS before version 11:

  1. add NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription App requires background tracking to Info.plist

For iOS 11:

  1. add NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription App requires background tracking to Info.plist
  2. add NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription App requires background tracking to Info.plist

API

configure(options, success, fail)

Parameter Type Platform Description
options JSON Object all Configure options

Configure options:

Parameter Type Platform Description
locationProvider Number all Set location provider @see PROVIDERS
desiredAccuracy Number all Desired accuracy in meters. Possible values [0, 10, 100, 1000]. The lower the number, the more power devoted to GeoLocation resulting in higher accuracy readings. 1000 results in lowest power drain and least accurate readings. @see Apple docs
stationaryRadius Number all Stationary radius in meters. When stopped, the minimum distance the device must move beyond the stationary location for aggressive background-tracking to engage.
debug Boolean all When enabled, the plugin will emit sounds for life-cycle events of background-geolocation! See debugging sounds table.
distanceFilter Number all The minimum distance (measured in meters) a device must move horizontally before an update event is generated. @see Apple docs.
stopOnTerminate Boolean all Enable this in order to force a stop() when the application terminated (e.g. on iOS, double-tap home button, swipe away the app). (default true)
startOnBoot Boolean Android Start background service on device boot. (default false)
startForeground Boolean Android If false location service will not be started in foreground and no notification will be shown. (default true)
interval Number Android The minimum time interval between location updates in milliseconds. @see [Android docs](http://developer.android.com/reference/android/location/LocationManager.html#requestLocationUpdates(long,%20float,%20android.location.Criteria,%20android.app.PendingIntent) for more information.
notificationTitle String optional Android Custom notification title in the drawer.
notificationText String optional Android Custom notification text in the drawer.
notificationIconColor String optional Android The accent color to use for notification. Eg. #4CAF50.
notificationIconLarge String optional Android The filename of a custom notification icon. See android quirks.
notificationIconSmall String optional Android The filename of a custom notification icon. See android quirks.
activityType String iOS [AutomotiveNavigation, OtherNavigation, Fitness, Other] Presumably, this affects iOS GPS algorithm. @see Apple docs for more information
pauseLocationUpdates Boolean iOS Pauses location updates when app is paused (default: false). *@see Apple docs
saveBatteryOnBackground Boolean iOS Switch to less accurate significant changes and region monitory when in background (default: true)
url String all Server url where to send HTTP POST with recorded locations @see HTTP locations posting
syncUrl String all Server url where to send fail to post locations @see HTTP locations posting
syncThreshold Number all Specifies how many previously failed locations will be sent to server at once (default: 100)
httpHeaders Object all Optional HTTP headers sent along in HTTP request
maxLocations Number all Limit maximum number of locations stored into db (default: 10000)

Following options are specific to provider as defined by locationProvider option

ACTIVITY_PROVIDER provider options

Parameter Type Platform Description
interval Number Android Rate in milliseconds at which your app prefers to receive location updates. @see android docs
fastestInterval Number Android Fastest rate in milliseconds at which your app can handle location updates. @see android docs.
activitiesInterval Number Android Rate in milliseconds at which activity recognition occurs. Larger values will result in fewer activity detections while improving battery life.
stopOnStillActivity Boolean Android stop() is forced, when the STILL activity is detected (default is true)

Location callback will be called with one argument - location object, which tries to mimic w3c Coordinates interface.

Callback parameter Type Description
id Number ID of location as stored in DB (or null)
provider String gps, network, passive or fused
locationProvider Number Location provider
debug Boolean true if location recorded as part of debug
time Number UTC time of this fix, in milliseconds since January 1, 1970.
latitude Number latitude, in degrees.
longitude Number longitude, in degrees.
accuracy Number estimated accuracy of this location, in meters.
speed Number speed if it is available, in meters/second over ground.
altitude Number altitude if available, in meters above the WGS 84 reference ellipsoid.
bearing Number bearing, in degrees.

Note: Android currently returns time as type of String (instead of Number) @see issue #9685

start()

Platform: iOS, Android

Start background geolocation.

stop()

Platform: iOS, Android

Stop background geolocation.

isLocationEnabled(success, fail)

Deprecated: This method is deprecated and will be removed in next major version. Use checkStatus as replacement.

Platform: iOS, Android

One time check for status of location services. In case of error, fail callback will be executed.

Success callback parameter Type Description
enabled Boolean true/false (true when location services are enabled)

checkStatus(success, fail)

Check status of the service

Success callback parameter Type Description
isRunning Boolean true/false (true if service is running)
hasPermissions Boolean true/false (true if service has permissions)
authorization Number BackgroundGeolocation.{NOT_AUTHORIZED

showAppSettings()

Platform: Android >= 6, iOS >= 8.0

Show app settings to allow change of app location permissions.

showLocationSettings()

Platform: iOS, Android

Show system settings to allow configuration of current location sources.

getLocations(success, fail)

Platform: iOS, Android

Method will return all stored locations. This method is useful for initial rendering of user location on a map just after application launch.

NOTE: Returned locations does not contain location.id.

Success callback parameter Type Description
locations Array collection of stored locations
BackgroundGeolocation.getLocations(
  function (locations) {
    console.log(locations);
  }
);

getValidLocations(success, fail)

Platform: iOS, Android

Method will return locations, which has not been yet posted to server. NOTE: Locations does contain location.id.

Success callback parameter Type Description
locations Array collection of stored locations

deleteLocation(locationId, success, fail)

Platform: iOS, Android

Delete location with locationId.

Note: Locations are not actually deleted from database to avoid gaps in locationId numbering. Instead locations are marked as deleted. Locations marked as deleted will not appear in output of BackgroundGeolocation.getLocations.

deleteAllLocations(success, fail)

Note: You don't need to delete all locations. Plugin manages number of locations automatically and location count never exceeds number as defined by option.maxLocations.

Platform: iOS, Android

Delete all stored locations.

switchMode(modeId, success, fail)

Platform: iOS

Normally plugin will handle switching between BACKGROUND and FOREGROUND mode itself. Calling switchMode you can override plugin behavior and force plugin to switch into other mode.

In FOREGROUND mode plugin uses iOS local manager to receive locations and behavior is affected by option.desiredAccuracy and option.distanceFilter.

In BACKGROUND mode plugin uses significant changes and region monitoring to receive locations and uses option.stationaryRadius only.

// switch to FOREGROUND mode
BackgroundGeolocation.switchMode(BackgroundGeolocation.FOREGROUND_MODE);

// switch to BACKGROUND mode
BackgroundGeolocation.switchMode(BackgroundGeolocation.BACKGROUND_MODE);

getLogEntries(limit, success, fail)

Platform: Android, iOS

Return all logged events. Useful for plugin debugging. Parameter limit limits number of returned entries. @see Debugging for more information.

removeAllListeners(event)

Unregister all event listeners for given event

Events

Event listeners can registered with:

const eventSubscription = BackgroundGeolocation.on('event', callbackFn);

And unregistered:

eventSubscription.remove();

Note: Components should unregister all event listeners in componentWillUnmount method, individually, or with removeAllListeners

Name Callback param Platform Description
location Location all on location update
stationary Location all on device entered stationary mode
error { code, message } all on plugin error
authorization status all on user toggle location service
start all geolocation has been started
stop all geolocation has been stopped
foreground android app entered foreground state (visible)
background android app entered background state

HTTP locations posting

All locations updates are recorded in local db at all times. When App is in foreground or background in addition to storing location in local db, location callback function is triggered. Number of location stored in db is limited by option.maxLocations a never exceeds this number. Instead old locations are replaced by new ones.

When option.url is defined, each location is also immediately posted to url defined by option.url. If post is successful, the location is marked as deleted in local db.

When option.syncUrl is defined all failed to post locations will be coalesced and send in some time later in one single batch. Batch sync takes place only when number of failed to post locations reaches option.syncTreshold. Locations are send only in single batch, when number of locations reaches option.syncTreshold. (No individual location will be send)

Request body of posted locations is always array, even when only one location is sent.

Example of backend server

Background-geolocation-server is a backend server written in nodejs. There are instructions how to run it and simulate locations on Android, iOS Simulator and Genymotion.

Debugging

See DEBUGGING.md

Geofencing

Try using react-native-geo-fencing. Let's keep this plugin lightweight as much as possible.

Changelog

See CHANGES.md