Geofencing

Overview

Geofencing in iOS enables apps to monitor specific geographic regions and trigger events or notifications when users enter or exit these areas. This feature is ideal for location-aware marketing or context-sensitive behaviors.

Note:

This page describes Apple's standard Core Location geofencing API. The Mapp Engage iOS SDK does not provide a server-side geofence trigger — geofence regions are defined and monitored entirely in your app. To send a Mapp Engage push from a geofence transition, capture the entry/exit event in your CLLocationManagerDelegate and report it to Mapp Engage as a custom attribute or event.

Use Case

1. Purpose:

   • Trigger actions or notifications based on a user's proximity to a predefined location.

   • Deliver personalized, location-specific content to enhance engagement.

2. Benefits:

   • Increase user interaction with context-aware notifications.

   • Provide timely and relevant updates based on user location.

Implementation Details

1. Permissions:

   • Add the required permissions in the Info.plist file:

   <key>NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
   <string>We need your location to provide location-based features.</string>
   <key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
   <string>We need your location to provide location-based features.</string>

   • Request location permissions dynamically in your app:

   locationManager.requestAlwaysAuthorization()

2. Setup Geofencing: Define a geofence using CLCircularRegion:

   let geofenceRegion = CLCircularRegion(center: CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: 37.7749, longitude: -122.4194),
                                         radius: 100,
                                         identifier: "GeofenceID")
   geofenceRegion.notifyOnEntry = true
   geofenceRegion.notifyOnExit = true

3. Start Monitoring Geofences: Use CLLocationManager to monitor the defined geofence:

   locationManager.startMonitoring(for: geofenceRegion)

4. Handle Geofence Events: Implement the CLLocationManagerDelegate methods to handle geofence transitions:

   func locationManager(_ manager: CLLocationManager, didEnterRegion region: CLRegion) {
       if region is CLCircularRegion {
           print("Entered geofence: \(region.identifier)")
       }
   }
   
   func locationManager(_ manager: CLLocationManager, didExitRegion region: CLRegion) {
       if region is CLCircularRegion {
           print("Exited geofence: \(region.identifier)")
       }
   }

Keep in mind:

• Ensure users grant appropriate location permissions (Always or When in Use).

• Test geofencing accuracy under different conditions to optimize performance.

• Be mindful of battery usage when monitoring geofences, especially with multiple regions.