This plugin is a geofence service with activity recognition API. It does not use the Geofence API implemented on the platform. Therefore, battery efficiency cannot be guaranteed. Instead, this plugin can provide more accurate and realtime geo-fencing by navigating your location while your app is alive.

pub package

Features

  • Geofence can have multiple radius.
  • Geofence can see what activity took place when the device entered the radius.
  • GeofenceService can perform geo-fencing in real time and catch errors during operation.
  • GeofenceService can be operated in the background using WillStartForegroundTask widget.

WAIT: This plugin performs geo-fencing based on a circular geofence. If you want to create a polygon geofence, this plugin is recommended.

Getting started

To use this plugin, add geofence_service as a dependency in your pubspec.yaml file. For example:

dependencies:
  geofence_service: ^3.5.0

After adding the geofence_service plugin to the flutter project, we need to specify the platform-specific permissions and services to use for this plugin to work properly.

:baby_chick: Android

Since geo-fencing operates based on location, we need to add the following permission to the AndroidManifest.xml file. Open the AndroidManifest.xml file and specify it between the <manifest> and <application> tags.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />

If you want to run the service in the background, add the following permission. If your project supports Android 10, be sure to add the ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION permission.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />

And specify the service inside the <application> tag as follows.

<service
    android:name="com.pravera.flutter_foreground_task.service.ForegroundService"
    android:foregroundServiceType="location"
    android:stopWithTask="true" />

The biggest feature of this plugin is that it can know user activity while geo-fencing. Please specify the permission usage in <manifest> tag.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION" />

:baby_chick: iOS

Like Android platform, geo-fencing is based on location, we need to add the following description. Open the ios/Runner/Info.plist file and specify it inside the <dict> tag.

<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Used to provide geofence service.</string>

If you want to run the service in the background, add the following description.

<key>NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Used to provide geofence services in the background.</string>
<key>NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
<string>Used to provide geofence services in the background.</string>
<key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
<array>
    <string>fetch</string>
    <string>location</string>
</array>

To detect changes in user activity, add the following description.

<key>NSMotionUsageDescription</key>
<string>Used to recognize user activity information.</string>

(Optional) To display a notification when your app enters the background, you need to open the ios/Runner/AppDelegate file and set the following:

Objective-C:

@implementation AppDelegate

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application
    didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions {
  [GeneratedPluginRegistrant registerWithRegistry:self];

  // here
  if (@available(iOS 10.0, *)) {
    [UNUserNotificationCenter currentNotificationCenter].delegate = (id<UNUserNotificationCenterDelegate>) self;
  }

  return [super application:application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:launchOptions];
}

@end

Swift:

@UIApplicationMain
@objc class AppDelegate: FlutterAppDelegate {
  override func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?
  ) -> Bool {
    GeneratedPluginRegistrant.register(with: self)

    // here
    if #available(iOS 10.0, *) {
      UNUserNotificationCenter.current().delegate = self as? UNUserNotificationCenterDelegate
    }

    return super.application(application, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: launchOptions)
  }
}

How to use

  1. Create a GeofenceService instance and set options. GeofenceService.instance.setup() provides the following options:
  • interval: The time interval in milliseconds to check the geofence status. The default is 5000.
  • accuracy: Geo-fencing error range in meters. The default is 100.
  • loiteringDelayMs: Sets the delay between GeofenceStatus.ENTER and GeofenceStatus.DWELL in milliseconds. The default is 300000.
  • statusChangeDelayMs: Sets the status change delay in milliseconds. GeofenceStatus.ENTER and GeofenceStatus.EXIT events may be called frequently when the location is near the boundary of the geofence. Use this option to minimize event calls at this time. If the option value is too large, realtime geo-fencing is not possible, so use it carefully. The default is 10000.
  • useActivityRecognition: Whether to use the activity recognition API. The default is true.
  • allowMockLocations: Whether to allow mock locations. The default is false.
  • printDevLog: Whether to show the developer log. If this value is set to true, logs for geofence service activities (start, stop, etc.) can be viewed. It does not work in release mode. The default is false.
  • geofenceRadiusSortType: Sets the sort type of the geofence radius. The default is GeofenceRadiusSortType.DESC.
// Create a [GeofenceService] instance and set options.
final _geofenceService = GeofenceService.instance.setup(
    interval: 5000,
    accuracy: 100,
    loiteringDelayMs: 60000,
    statusChangeDelayMs: 10000,
    useActivityRecognition: true,
    allowMockLocations: false,
    printDevLog: false,
    geofenceRadiusSortType: GeofenceRadiusSortType.DESC);
  1. Create a Geofence and GeofenceRadius list. Geofence and GeofenceRadius provides the following parameters:
  • id: Identifier for Geofence and GeofenceRadius.
  • data: Custom data for Geofence and GeofenceRadius.
  • latitude: The latitude of geofence center.
  • longitude: The longitude of geofence center.
  • radius: The radius of Geofence.
  • length: The length of the radius in meters. The best result should be set between 100 and 150 meters in radius. If Wi-FI is available, it can be set up to 20~40m.
// Create a [Geofence] list.
final _geofenceList = <Geofence>[
  Geofence(
    id: 'place_1',
    latitude: 35.103422,
    longitude: 129.036023,
    radius: [
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_100m', length: 100),
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_25m', length: 25),
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_250m', length: 250),
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_200m', length: 200),
    ],
  ),
  Geofence(
    id: 'place_2',
    latitude: 35.104971,
    longitude: 129.034851,
    radius: [
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_25m', length: 25),
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_100m', length: 100),
      GeofenceRadius(id: 'radius_200m', length: 200),
    ],
  ),
];
  1. Register the listener and call GeofenceService.instance.start().
// This function is to be called when the geofence status is changed.
Future<void> _onGeofenceStatusChanged(
    Geofence geofence,
    GeofenceRadius geofenceRadius,
    GeofenceStatus geofenceStatus,
    Location location) async {
  print('geofence: ${geofence.toJson()}');
  print('geofenceRadius: ${geofenceRadius.toJson()}');
  print('geofenceStatus: ${geofenceStatus.toString()}');
  _geofenceStreamController.sink.add(geofence);
}

// This function is to be called when the activity has changed.
void _onActivityChanged(Activity prevActivity, Activity currActivity) {
  print('prevActivity: ${prevActivity.toJson()}');
  print('currActivity: ${currActivity.toJson()}');
  _activityStreamController.sink.add(currActivity);
}

// This function is to be called when the location has changed.
void _onLocationChanged(Location location) {
  print('location: ${location.toJson()}');
}

// This function is to be called when a location services status change occurs
// since the service was started.
void _onLocationServicesStatusChanged(bool status) {
  print('isLocationServicesEnabled: $status');
}

// This function is used to handle errors that occur in the service.
void _onError(error) {
  final errorCode = getErrorCodesFromError(error);
  if (errorCode == null) {
    print('Undefined error: $error');
    return;
  }
  
  print('ErrorCode: $errorCode');
}

@override
void initState() {
  super.initState();
  WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
    _geofenceService.addGeofenceStatusChangeListener(_onGeofenceStatusChanged);
    _geofenceService.addLocationChangeListener(_onLocationChanged);
    _geofenceService.addLocationServicesStatusChangeListener(_onLocationServicesStatusChanged);
    _geofenceService.addActivityChangeListener(_onActivityChanged);
    _geofenceService.addStreamErrorListener(_onError);
    _geofenceService.start(_geofenceList).catchError(_onError);
  });
}
  1. Add WillStartForegroundTask widget for background execution on Android platform. WillStartForegroundTask provides the following options:
  • onWillStart: Called to ask if you want to start the foreground task.
  • notificationOptions: Optional values for notification detail settings.
  • notificationTitle: The title that will be displayed in the notification.
  • notificationText: The text that will be displayed in the notification.
  • child: A child widget that contains the Scaffold widget.
@override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
  return MaterialApp(
    // A widget used when you want to start a foreground task when trying to minimize or close the app.
    // Declare on top of the [Scaffold] widget.
    home: WillStartForegroundTask(
      onWillStart: () async {
        // You can add a foreground task start condition.
        return _geofenceService.isRunningService;
      },
      androidNotificationOptions: AndroidNotificationOptions(
        channelId: 'geofence_service_notification_channel',
        channelName: 'Geofence Service Notification',
        channelDescription: 'This notification appears when the geofence service is running in the background.',
        channelImportance: NotificationChannelImportance.LOW,
        priority: NotificationPriority.LOW,
        isSticky: false,
      ),
      iosNotificationOptions: const IOSNotificationOptions(),
      notificationTitle: 'Geofence Service is running',
      notificationText: 'Tap to return to the app',
      child: Scaffold(
        appBar: AppBar(
          title: const Text('Geofence Service'),
          centerTitle: true,
        ),
        body: _buildContentView(),
      ),
    ),
  );
}
  1. To add or remove Geofence while the service is running, use the following function:
_geofenceService.addGeofence(Object);
_geofenceService.addGeofenceList(List);
_geofenceService.removeGeofence(Object);
_geofenceService.removeGeofenceList(List);
_geofenceService.removeGeofenceById(String);
_geofenceService.clearGeofenceList();
  1. If you want to pause or resume the service, use the function below.
_geofenceService.pause();
_geofenceService.resume();
  1. When you are finished using the service, unregister the listener and call GeofenceService.instance.stop().
_geofenceService.removeGeofenceStatusChangeListener(_onGeofenceStatusChanged);
_geofenceService.removeLocationChangeListener(_onLocationChanged);
_geofenceService.removeLocationServicesStatusChangeListener(_onLocationServicesStatusChanged);
_geofenceService.removeActivityChangeListener(_onActivityChanged);
_geofenceService.removeStreamErrorListener(_onError);
_geofenceService.clearAllListeners();
_geofenceService.stop();

Note: When calling the stop function, the listener is not removed, but the added geofence is cleared.

Models

:chicken: Geofence

A model representing a geofence.

Property Description
id Identifier for Geofence.
data Custom data for Geofence.
latitude The latitude of geofence center.
longitude The longitude of geofence center.
radius The radius of Geofence.
status The status of Geofence.
timestamp The timestamp of Geofence.
remainingDistance The remaining distance to the destination.

:chicken: GeofenceRadius

A model representing the radius of Geofence.

Property Description
id Identifier for GeofenceRadius.
data Custom data for GeofenceRadius.
length The length of the radius in meters.
status The status of GeofenceRadius.
activity The user activity when geofence status changes.
speed The passing speed when geofence status changes.
timestamp The timestamp when geofence status changes.
remainingDistance The remaining distance to the radius.

:chicken: GeofenceStatus

Defines the type of the geofence status.

Value Description
ENTER Occurs when entering the geofence radius.
EXIT Occurs when exiting the geofence radius.
DWELL Occurs when the loitering delay elapses after entering the geofence area.

:chicken: Activity

A model representing the user's activity.

Property Description
type The type of activity recognized.
confidence The confidence of activity recognized.

:chicken: ActivityType

Defines the type of activity.

Value Description
IN_VEHICLE The device is in a vehicle, such as a car.
ON_BICYCLE The device is on a bicycle.
RUNNING The device is on a user who is running. This is a sub-activity of ON_FOOT.
STILL The device is still (not moving).
WALKING The device is on a user who is walking. This is a sub-activity of ON_FOOT.
UNKNOWN Unable to detect the current activity.

:chicken: ActivityConfidence

Defines the confidence of activity.

Value Description
HIGH High accuracy: 75~100
MEDIUM Medium accuracy: 50~75
LOW Low accuracy: 0~50

:chicken: GeofenceRadiusSortType

Defines the sort type of the geofence radius. If you have set multiple radius for one geofence, multiple radius can come in at the same time. At this time, you can control the order in which the radius comes in by referring to the radius meters.

Value Description
ASC Sort the meters in ascending order.
DESC Sort the meters in descending order.

:chicken: ErrorCodes

Error codes that may occur in the service.

Value Description
ALREADY_STARTED Occurs when the service has already been started but the start function is called.
LOCATION_SERVICES_DISABLED Occurs when location services are disabled. When this error occurs, you should notify the user and request activation.
LOCATION_PERMISSION_DENIED Occurs when location permission is denied.
LOCATION_PERMISSION_PERMANENTLY_DENIED Occurs when location permission is permanently denied. In this case, the user must manually allow the permission.
ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION_PERMISSION_DENIED Occurs when activity recognition permission is denied.
ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION_PERMISSION_PERMANENTLY_DENIED Occurs when activity recognition permission is permanently denied. In this case, the user must manually allow the permission.

Support

If you find any bugs or issues while using the plugin, please register an issues on GitHub. You can also contact us at hwj930513@naver.com.

Libraries

errors/error_codes
geofence_service
models/geofence
models/geofence_radius
models/geofence_radius_sort_type
models/geofence_service_options
models/geofence_status