How to request for user location in Expo React Native

Some apps require user location and you can get the user permission by using expo-location, let's get started.

Install Expo Location and Update App Configuration

Start by installing the expo-location package.

npx expo install expo-location

For the app.json you will need to update the plugin section.

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

Implement Request Location

From any of your application screens add the following code to request user for location permission.

import * as Location from "expo-location";
import { useState, useEffect } from "react";

export default function Page() {
  const [hasPermission, setHasPermission] = useState<boolean>(false);

  useEffect(() => {
    const requestLocation = async () => {
      let { status } = await Location.requestForegroundPermissionsAsync();

      if (status !== "granted") {
        setHasPermission(false);
        return;
      }

      let location = await Location.getCurrentPositionAsync({});
      console.log('Your current location is:', location);
    };
  }, [])
}

Refresh your application and you will see the location data in your console.

{
  "coords": {
    "accuracy": 5,
    "altitude": 0,
    "altitudeAccuracy": -1,
    "heading": -1,
    "latitude": 37.785834,
    "longitude": -122.406417,
    "speed": -1
  },
  "timestamp": 1728112922188.854
}

Enable Location on Simulator/Emulator

For the iOS simulator ensure that you set up the location from Features > Location while for the Android emulator it's accessible from the Settings > Location.