Push Notifications Based on Geolocation - Possible?

Question

Created Nov ’15

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Hi all,

I want to check whether a specific functionality is possible for an app. The idea for this app is that you would approach a specific location and the app would automatically send you a push notification based on that location. I know about iBeacon and other similar hardware-based solutions, but they come with the significant drawback of requiring hardware to be installed at those locations. I wanted to know if it was possible to do this based purely on geolocation.

Thanks in advance!

Answered by junkpile in 84217022

I'm going to assume you just meant "notification" as opposed to "push notification". For the reasons NotMyName mentioned, a server cannot know where your device is at all times, and push notifications are by definition initiated by the server.

On device, there are some APIs specifically for that purpose though - look into region monitoring and visit monitoring under CLLocationManager (Location and Maps Programming Guide). Your app can be woken up for entering/exiting a region and can do lots of things including posting a local notification.

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Answer 1

NotMyName OP

Nov ’15

You're dealing with two different system components, located in two different physical realms.

Your push server is off somewhere on the network, it doesn't know the geographical position of the device. Privacy concerns and practicality don't give developers access to the network required to allow your push server to track the user's cell phone.

The device is off somewhere, it knows where it is, but the device giving itself a notification is a local notification, not a push notification.

Is that what you meant?

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Answer 2

junkpile OP

Nov ’15

Accepted Answer

I'm going to assume you just meant "notification" as opposed to "push notification". For the reasons NotMyName mentioned, a server cannot know where your device is at all times, and push notifications are by definition initiated by the server.

On device, there are some APIs specifically for that purpose though - look into region monitoring and visit monitoring under CLLocationManager (Location and Maps Programming Guide). Your app can be woken up for entering/exiting a region and can do lots of things including posting a local notification.

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Answer 3

Peregrine2976 OP

Nov ’15

Sorry, I just meant notifications, not push notifications!

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Answer 4

Peregrine2976 OP

Nov ’15

You are correct, I meant notifications, my mistake sorry!

Thanks a lot!

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