# Geofence & Location

By default, Netmera SDK does not collect location information from the device. To use features like geofence messaging and location-based user targeting, you must enable location tracking.

### Checking and Requesting Location Permission

Users may select **"Only Once"**, **"While Using the App"**, or **"Always"** when prompted for location permission. However, they can later change this permission via system settings.

To ensure **accurate** location tracking, always check the **current** system-level location permission before accessing any location-based features. If the required permission is missing or no longer valid, re-trigger the location permission request using Netmera.

**What to do:**

* Check the current location permission status.
* If the permission is **missing or limited**:
  * **Request location permission again via Netmera.**

> Always ensure the necessary permission is granted before initializing any location-based operations.

## Step 1: Enable Location History

To use location-based targeting, enable **Location History** in the Netmera web panel:\
**Developers > App Info > App Config > Location History Enabled**

## Step 2: iOS Integration

### 1. Configure Location Permissions

Add the following **`edit-config`** entries to the **`ios`** section of your `config.xml` to include the required **Info.plist** keys for location permissions:

```xml
<platform name="ios">
    ...
    <edit-config file="*-Info.plist" mode="merge" target="NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription">
        <string>Location access is needed to show nearby places.</string>
    </edit-config>
    <edit-config file="*-Info.plist" mode="merge" target="NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription">
        <string>Location services will be used in the background as well.</string>
    </edit-config>
    <edit-config file="*-Info.plist" mode="merge" target="NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription">
        <string>This app wants to use your location both when open and in the background.</string>
    </edit-config>
    ...
</platform>
```

## Step 3: Android Integration

On Android 10 and later, geofence push notifications require background location access. However, Android **does not allow** apps to request this permission directly in the app. Instead, users must manually enable **"Allow all the time"** in the system settings.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Best Practice:** Before redirecting users to settings, display an **explanatory message** about why location access is needed. You can use **Netmera widgets** to communicate this effectively. You may see the next page [background-location-permission](https://user.netmera.com/netmera-developer-guide/platforms/android/geofence-and-location/background-location-permission "mention") on how to create these widgets to ask for location permissions.
{% endhint %}

### 1. Add Required Permissions

Add the following **`edit-config`** entries to the android section of your `config.xml`&#x20;

```xml
<platform name="android">
        ...
        <edit-config file="app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml" mode="merge" target="/manifest/application" xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
            ...
            <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
            <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
            <application android:networkSecurityConfig="@xml/network_security_config" />
            <application android:name="com.netmera.cordova.plugin.NetmeraApplication" />
            ...
        </edit-config>
        ...
    </platform>
```

## Step 4: Location Authorization

For **iOS** and **Android 6.0 (API Level 23)** and later, location permission must be requested while the app is running. Netmera provides a built-in permission request flow:

```javascript
Netmera.askLocationAuthorization()
```

{% hint style="danger" %}
Calling these methods immediately prompts the **location permission dialog**. Make sure to inform users beforehand about how your application will use their location.
{% endhint %}