Get Your User's Location with Ease: A React Native Tutorial

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Get Your User's Location with Ease: A React Native Tutorial

Utilizing User Location Data for Better UX in React Native Apps

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3 min read

TLDR;

This article presents methods to obtain a user's location data when developing a mobile application. It advises that if the app does not need exact location coordinates, it's better to obtain general location information to improve user experience. The two main methods discussed are using GSM, with techniques to enhance user experience during the permission request, and using the user's IP, which is sufficient in most cases. Services like ipinfo.io can be used for IP-based location estimation.

User's location data can be essential in certain situations, such as analytics, location-sharing features, and more. When working on a mobile app, requesting location permission from the user and obtaining location data from GSM is a common scenario. However, if your app does not use direct location coordinates, asking for location permission may not be the best practice in terms of UX. Users generally hesitate to grant permissions such as location, notifications, and others. At this point, obtaining general information about the location may be a better decision. There are several ways to do this. In this article, I will cover various methods and key points regarding location permissions.

Using GSM

I discussed requesting location permission from the user, and obtaining location data from GSM is a common scenario. However, some techniques can significantly improve the user experience when dealing with this permission request. Let's dive into these techniques!

  • Explain why and when you use the user's location. Displaying a modal that clarifies your reasons for using the user's location and the specific times when it's used, followed by requesting location permission, is the best approach recommended by both the Play Store and App Store.

  • Respecting user permission decisions and using default values to avoid errors. Don't repeatedly attempt to obtain the user's location if they have denied permission. Doing so only leads to more unnecessary errors.

Using IP

If your app does not rely on a core feature that requires the user's location, using the user's IP to obtain an estimated location is sufficient for most cases. To achieve this, you can utilize IP information services such as ipinfo.io. Implementing a basic solution on your backend can address many of your app's needs.

yarn add node-ipinfo
import IPinfoWrapper, { IPinfo, AsnResponse } from "node-ipinfo";

const ipinfoWrapper = new IPinfoWrapper("MY_TOKEN");

ipinfoWrapper.lookupIp("1.1.1.1").then((response: IPinfo) => {
    console.log(response);
});

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a user's location data can significantly enhance the functionality and user experience of a mobile application. By carefully considering the necessity of exact location coordinates and opting for general location information when appropriate, developers can improve user trust and engagement. Utilizing GSM for precise location data requires clear communication and respect for user permissions, while IP-based location estimation offers a simpler and often sufficient alternative. By implementing these strategies, developers can effectively balance functionality with user privacy and convenience.

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