React Native Background Geolocation is a comprehensive location tracking module for React Native applications. It offers sophisticated background location tracking with battery-conscious technology, supporting both iOS and Android platforms. The library provides a rich set of features for tracking user location, including geofencing, motion detection, and trip logging.

Pros

• Highly configurable with numerous options for fine-tuning location tracking behavior
• Battery-efficient implementation, minimizing power consumption
• Robust cross-platform support for both iOS and Android
• Extensive documentation and active community support

Cons

• Complex setup process, especially for iOS due to required permissions and capabilities
• Potential learning curve for developers new to background location tracking concepts
• Premium features require a paid license
• Large package size due to comprehensive feature set

Code Examples

1. Basic setup and initialization:

import BackgroundGeolocation from "react-native-background-geolocation";

BackgroundGeolocation.ready({
  desiredAccuracy: BackgroundGeolocation.DESIRED_ACCURACY_HIGH,
  distanceFilter: 10,
  stopOnTerminate: false,
  startOnBoot: true,
}, (state) => {
  console.log("BackgroundGeolocation is ready: ", state);
});

2. Starting and stopping location tracking:

// Start tracking
BackgroundGeolocation.start();

// Stop tracking
BackgroundGeolocation.stop();

3. Listening for location updates:

BackgroundGeolocation.onLocation(location => {
  console.log("[Location] ", location);
}, error => {
  console.log("[Location Error] ", error);
});

4. Setting up a geofence:

BackgroundGeolocation.addGeofence({
  identifier: "Home",
  radius: 200,
  latitude: 45.51921926,
  longitude: -73.61678581,
  notifyOnEntry: true,
  notifyOnExit: true
});

Getting Started

1. Install the package:

   npm install react-native-background-geolocation
   

2. For iOS, add the following to your Info.plist:

   <key>NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
   <string>Location required in background</string>
   <key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
   <string>Location required when app is in use</string>
   

3. For Android, add the following permissions to your AndroidManifest.xml:

   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" />
   

4. Initialize and configure the plugin in your app as shown in the first code example above.