vk_location_sharing

A powerful Flutter package to implement location sharing with both foreground streams and background updates. It provides a unified API to handle permissions and location tracking with ease.

Features

• Foreground Location Stream: Real-time location updates using the geolocator package.
• Background Location Updates: Periodic background location tracking using the workmanager package.
• Configurable Accuracy: Easily control LocationAccuracy and distanceFilter.
• Permission Handling: Built-in logic to request and verify location permissions for both foreground and background usage.
• Unified API: A single class VkLocationSharing to manage the entire lifecycle of location sharing.

Getting Started

Add vk_location_sharing to your pubspec.yaml dependencies.

Platform Setup

iOS

Add the following keys to your Info.plist file:

• NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription: Explain why you need location when in use.
• NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription: Explain why you need location always.
• UIBackgroundModes: Add location and fetch to enable background updates.

Android

Add the following permissions to your AndroidManifest.xml:

• android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
• android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
• android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION (Required for background sharing)

Usage

import 'package:vk_location_sharing/vk_location_sharing.dart';

final vkLocation = VkLocationSharing();

// 1. Initialise background services (if using background sharing)
await vkLocation.initializeBackground();

// 2. Start foreground sharing
final stream = await vkLocation.startForegroundSharing(
  accuracy: LocationAccuracy.best,
  distanceFilter: 10,
  onLocationUpdate: (position) {
    print("New position: ${position.latitude}, ${position.longitude}");
  },
);

// 3. Start background sharing (periodic updates)
await vkLocation.startBackgroundSharing(
  frequency: Duration(minutes: 15),
);

// 4. Stop sharing
await vkLocation.stopForegroundSharing();
await vkLocation.stopBackgroundSharing();

Background Tracking Accuracy

API Documentation

• startForegroundSharing: Returns a stream of Position and handles permission requests.
• startBackgroundSharing: Registers a periodic task that runs even when the app is in the background.
• stopForegroundSharing / stopBackgroundSharing: Stops the respective tracking services.
• handlePermission: Programmatically check/request required permissions.
• getCurrentLocation: Fetches the current device location once.

Optimization

The package uses LocationSettings to optimize battery usage. By setting the distanceFilter, you can significantly reduce the number of updates emitted when the device is stationary or moving slowly.

Example

Check out the example directory for a full demonstration of the package including a UI to start/stop sharing.