Hi everyone!
I’ve developed a location-based Audio AR app in Unity with FMOD & Resonance Audio and AirPods Pro Head-Tracking to create a ubiquitous augmented soundscape experience. Think of it as an audio version of Pokémon Go, but with a more precise location requirement to ensure spatial audio is placed correctly.
I want this experience to run in the background on iOS, but from what I’ve gathered, it seems Unity doesn’t support this well. So, I’m considering developing a Swift version instead.
Since this is primarily for research purposes, privacy concerns are not a major issue in my case. However, I’ve come across some potential challenges:
Real-time precise location updates – Can iOS provide fully instantaneous, high-accuracy location updates in the background?
Continuous real-time data processing – Can an app continuously process spatial audio, head-tracking, and location data while running in the background?
I’m not sure if newer iOS versions have improved in these areas or if there are workarounds to achieve this.
Would this kind of experience be feasible to run in the background on iOS? Any insights or pointers would be greatly appreciated!
I’m very new to iOS development, so apologies if this is a basic question. Thanks in advance!
Selecting any option will automatically load the page
Post
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
I'm working on an app that uses MapKit and CoreLocation. Is there a way to specify what location is simulated for a Preview, or create a preview that behaves as if the user denied location permissions, so that I can easily test my app's behavior in different scenarios? I know that you can simulate different locations in the Simulator, but haven't been able to get the previews within Xcode to have a location other than the center of Apple Park.
I am developing an iOS app that uses CLLocationManager to collect location continuously in both foreground and background. But it has the following 4 issues and I don’t understand why:
After a while of not using the app, I can not get location updates regularly. Even after that, I go into the app more often or even turn OFF and turn ON the permission again, but the problem still doesn’t improve until I reinstall the app.
Previously, I used SilentLog SDK to collect location. Since the cost was quite high, we developed our own SDK that also handles location tracking. After updating the app from the old version using SilentLog SDK to the new version using my own SDK, I can not get location updates regularly. However, when I reinstalled the app, it worked perfectly.
It seems that apps downloaded from TestFlight can get location more continuously than apps downloaded from the App Store
We sometimes encounter this error in the logs:
Error Domain=kCLErrorDomain Code=0 “(null)”
I think my app was not terminated in the background because I still collect location but it is not as frequent. I want to know if Apple has any mechanism to prevent such apps from getting location data continuously?
I use CLLocationManager with the following configuration:
self.locationManager.distanceFilter = 20
self.locationManager.desiredAccuracy = kCLLocationAccuracyBest
self.locationManager.allowsBackgroundLocationUpdates = true
self.locationManager.showsBackgroundLocationIndicator = false
self.locationManager.pausesLocationUpdatesAutomatically = false
I also filter the location updates using:
guard let location = locations.last else { return }
guard location.horizontalAccuracy <= 100 else { return }
guard location.speedAccuracy >= 0 else { return }
I use a background task to wake up the device every 15 minutes, and I also use silent push notifications in a similar manner. Each time the task is executed, I usually call stopLocation and then startLocation again. This happens quite frequently — will it have any impact or cause any issues?
I am using CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() to build a location sharing app. Most of the time it works fine, including in the background, giving acceptably frequent updates. However, soon after the user puts their phone away for the night, the updates stop coming.
I've checked all the instance properties (.stationary, .locationUnavailable, etc.) but none of them are ever set to true, even for the last update before updates end.
Is there some way to keep the updates coming through the night?
I've included some relevant parts of my code here:
func startLocationUpdates() {
if self.manager.authorizationStatus == .notDetermined {
self.manager.requestWhenInUseAuthorization()
}
Task {
do {
self.background = CLBackgroundActivitySession()
self.session = CLServiceSession(authorization: CLServiceSession.AuthorizationRequirement.always)
let updates = CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates()
for try await update in updates {
if let loc = update.location {
BackgroundServiceKt.onLocationUpdate(arg: loc)
}
// check all the instance properties
}
} catch {
// error
}
return
}
}
class AppDelegate: NSObject, UIApplicationDelegate {
func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey : Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
LocationsHandler.shared.startLocationUpdates()
return true
}
}
Hi Apple team and fellow developers,
We previously had Location Push Service Extension enabled and working in production. After transferring the app to a new Apple Developer team, the production App ID was transferred, but the Location Push entitlement was not retained.
We've also created a new App ID for development, and now need Location Push access enabled for both the transferred production ID and the new development ID.
We’ve already submitted the Location Push Access form with all relevant details.
Unfortunately, the App Transfer documentation didn’t make it clear that Location Push access would be lost, and now we’re blocked from making new builds — even for the existing production app.
❓ Questions:
Is it possible to re-enable Location Push for a transferred App ID?
What’s the expected timeline for entitlement approval?
Can Apple staff confirm the request status or let us know if any further action is needed?
Thanks in advance — this entitlement is critical for our app’s functionality and release pipeline.
Best,
Aidar
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
Tags:
APNS
Developer Tools
Maps and Location
Developer Program
If I have, say a doctor appointment in the Calendar app, and I'm leaving to go to it, the address will appear in Apple Maps on CarPlay. Forgive if I'm getting the details wrong, but I believe if I bring up the Map, it will be available to tap on, so I can quickly go there. I think it may also show up on one on the car-play screens that shows a few different panels.
The point is, I really like this feature, and want to do it in my app.
In my iOS app, the user can order food from a restaurant, and pick it up. I'm not ready to make this app a "quick service" app, but I want to give the user an easy to get to her location. Since I just ordered food, this means that I'll need to leave fairly quickly to go to the location. The Calendar app is able to offer a location because of scheduling, I'd like to do the same.
I asked a question similar to this earlier, but I think this is probably the better question.
I have a food-ordering app. When the user wants to pick up food, I'd like for Apple Maps to automatically display the location of the restaurant that the user is driving to.
Calendar does something similar. If there is an event that is soon, the location in the calendar-event shows up in Apple Maps. I'd like to do the same thing.
So, when the user makes an order, they'll need to drive to the location fairly quickly. So, I'd like to launch Apple Maps, see the location of the restaurant where I'm picking up food, and then get directions to it. Bonus points if this also works when I have CarPlay.
Hi,
I've watched the WWDC video "Discover streamlined location updates"
As detailed here: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2023/10180/?time=364
In order for my app to receive location updates in the background, the video states that I can either use a live activity or a CLBackgroundActivitySession
My app has a live activity, however the location updates stop shortly (10 seconds, this is the normal "grace period" described) after backgrounding the app, even when the live activity is visible. If I acquire a CLBackgroundActivitySession, location updates continue in the background.
I have reproduced this behavior in the Simulator in a barebones app for testing and confirmed that it's not working as described.
My question is: Should I hold a CLBackgroundActivitySession even when I already have a Live Activity?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Maps & Location
Tags:
Core Location
Maps and Location
ActivityKit
Hello all,
I'm trying to retrieve geolocation data on the web, but I'm having trouble with the altitude value, which seems to differ from what I get on Android.
When using navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition in Safari, is the altitude value based on mean sea level, or is it ellipsoidal altitude based on the WGS84 ellipsoid?
altitude (WebKit JS): https://developer.apple.com/documentation/webkitjs/coordinates/1631861-altitude
altitude (Core Location): https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/cllocation/altitude
ellipsoidalAltitude (Core Location): https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/cllocation/ellipsoidalaltitude
If anyone has any insight into this topic I would greatly appreciate it!
Dear Apple Team,
I am reaching out regarding the need for more sophisticated location verification APIs beyond basic IP lookup capabilities. As online fraud continues to evolve, IP-based geolocation has proven insufficient for many business use cases requiring accurate location verification. Would it be possible to discuss this proposal with your API development team? I believe this would be valuable for the entire iOS and macOS developer ecosystem while maintaining Apple's commitment to user privacy.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Maps & Location
Tags:
Security
Core Location
Maps and Location
I am developing a navigation application. My goal is for this navigation app to also work in the background and provide the user with real-time directional updates. When apps request access to location services, users see a TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) prompt. This prompt allows the user to choose under what conditions the app can access location services (for example: “While Using the App”, “Always”, etc.).
If the user selects the “While Using the App” option, can the navigation app still access location in the background and provide directional information to the user? Is something like this technically possible? Does Apple allow this behavior for navigation apps or similar use cases?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Maps & Location
Tags:
Core Location
Maps and Location
Privacy
Hello,
I'm working on an application that requires the use of significant location changes and visits, in addition to region monitoring and standard continuous location delivery (foreground and background).
iOS 17 and iOS 18 introduced changes to how we can monitor distinct regions of interest (with CLMonitor) as well as receive location updates (with CLLocationUpdate).
But I couldn't find any information regarding how to work with
Significant location changes. Do we still need to create a location manager and call startMonitoringSignificantLocationChanges()? Where are the updates received in this case, in the locationManager(_:didUpdateLocations:) or in the liveUpdates async sequence?
Visits. Same question here, for visit monitoring to work, do we still have to create a location manager then call startMonitoringVisits()? Where are the visits being notified? Still in locationManager(_:didVisit:) or in the liveUpdates asynchronous sequence?
I just want to be sure I understand correctly how to use the updates, and if some features of Core Location still need to use a location manager and the delegate to receive the events.
Maybe additional CLCondition will be added to cover both of these technologies as it seems highly related to monitoring conditions (significant location change, and visit).
Thank you,
Axel
Hello,
I use CLGeocoder to get the CLLocationCoordinate2D and CLRegion for an address. Now that this is deprecated in OS 26, I don't see a replacement for that property on MKMapItem via MKMapItemRequest and PlaceDescriptor. I've filed FB19027378 on this issue.
Basically I have some addresses that have a street address, and others that just have a city. With CLGeocoder, when geocoding just the city, the CLRegion was set such that I could show my map zoomed out just right. I'm not sure how to do that now.
Thanks!
Hi,
On a SwiftUI map I render a mix of MapPolygon and MapPolyline. All overlays must use the same overlay level (.aboveLabels).
Goal:
Ensure MapPolyline always renders on top of MapPolygon.
Issue:
I order data so polylines are last and even render in two passes (polygons first, polylines second), all at .aboveLabels.
Despite that, after polygons change (items removed/added based on zoom levels), I see polygons visually on top of polylines. It seems MapKit may batch/reorder rendering internally.
Questions:
Is there a reliable way in SwiftUI Map to enforce z-order within the same overlay level so MapPolyline always appears above MapPolygon?
If not, any known workarounds or best practices? (e.g. different composition patterns, using annotations with zIndex, or other techniques compatible with SwiftUI Map)
I know you can do this with UIKit, but first looking for a solution compatible with SwiftUI's version of MapKit.
Thanks
Hello,
I’d like to ask about best practices for handling interactive snippet intents when working with the user’s location.
My use case is:
1. Get the user’s location
2. Fetch nearby data
3. Display it
My current flow is: try to show the snippet view in "loading" state while waiting for Core Location Manager, then fetch data and reload() the view.
BUT I’m running into an issue where I sometimes receive Core Location error 1 (not authorized), even though the main app has “While In Use” authorization.
It seems that in some cases, especially when the app has been force-closed, App Intents are unable to start location updates, even though I’m using supportedModes = .foreground(.dynamic).
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Ondrej
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Maps & Location
Tags:
Core Location
Maps and Location
Intents
App Intents