How to request location permissions in React Native

Location-based services are integral to many mobile applications, providing users with personalized experiences and essential functionalities. However, accessing a user’s location requires proper permission handling to ensure privacy and compliance with platform guidelines. In this guide, we’ll explore how to manage location permissions effectively in React Native applications for both Android and iOS platforms.

Before diving into implementation details, let’s understand the different types of location permissions available on Android and iOS platforms:

• Allow all time background Location Permission (Android): This allows the app to access the user’s location in the background, even when the app is not in use.
• Always Location Permission (iOS): Grants continuous access to the user’s location, even when the app is running in the background.
• Location When In Use Permission (iOS): Provides access to the user’s location only when the app is actively being used.

Implementing Location Permissions in React Native: To implement location permissions in your React Native app, you can utilize the react-native-permissions library. Below are the key steps to request and manage location permissions:

1. Install the Library

Begin by installing the react-native-permissions library using npm or yarn:

npm install @react-native-community/permissions

2. Define Permission Types

Define functions to retrieve different types of location permissions based on the platform

//This permission check Allow all time permission status in Android only 
const getBackgroundPermission = () => {
    return Platform.select({
        android: PERMISSIONS.ANDROID.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION,
        ios: PERMISSIONS.IOS.ACCESS_BACKGROUND,
    });
};
//This permission check use to check Always permission in iOS
const getAlwaysLocationPermission = () => {
    return Platform.select({
        android: PERMISSIONS.ANDROID.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION,
        ios: PERMISSIONS.IOS.LOCATION_ALWAYS,
    });
};
//This will use check basic location permission status for your application
const getLocationPermission = () => {
    return Platform.select({
        android: PERMISSIONS.ANDROID.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION,
        ios: PERMISSIONS.IOS.LOCATION_WHEN_IN_USE,
    });
};

3. Check the permission status.

Use the Check method to determine the current status of location permissions

const backgroundStatus = await check(getBackgroundPermission());
const alwaysStatus = await check(getAlwaysLocationPermission());
const locationStatus = await check(getLocationPermission());

4. Request Permissions

Implement a function to request location permissions from the user:

//This method request location permission for your Android application.
const requestAllTimeLocationPermissions = async () => {
    const backgroundLocationResult = await handlePermissionStatus(getBackgroundPermission());
    setBackgroundLocationStatus(backgroundLocationResult);
};

//This method request always location permission for your iOS application.
const requestAlwaysLocationPermissions = async () => {
 
    const alwaysLocationResult = await handlePermissionStatus(getAlwaysLocationPermission());
    setAlwaysLocationStatus(alwaysLocationResult);
};

// This is common method to handle permission request for both platform
const handlePermissionStatus = async permissionType => {
    const status = await request(permissionType);
    return status;
};