Enhance your mobile user experience with LocationService API

Salesforce offers a powerful tool called the LocationService API to help Developers build mobile applications that can access and track locations in a Lightning Web Component.

Why use the LocationService API

There are several advantages of using the LocationService API, some of which are outlined below:

How to use the LocationService API

To create a Lightning Web Component with location-based functionalities, use the LocationService API in your component definition. Just remember that:

• You can import LocationService into your component definition, which enables your code to access the LocationService API functions.
• Before utilizing any location-related functions, test that LocationService is available.
• You can use these functions to obtain the present location or request updates for the location changes.

Add LocationService to a Lightning Web Component

In the JavaScript file of your component, import the LocationService using the standard JavaScript import statement. Specifically, import the 'getLocationService()' factory function from the 'lightning/mobileCapabilities' module as follows:

import { getLocationService } from 'lightning/mobileCapabilities';

Once you have successfully imported it into your component, the factory function can be used to get an instance of LocationService. Utilize this LocationService instance to check its availability using the 'isAvailable()' utility function.

You can use the location calculation functions to obtain the present location or to set up and receive updates for location changes.

Test LocationService's availability

LocationService relies on physical device hardware and platform features. While a component incorporating LocationService renders without errors on a desktop computer or mobile browser, the location functions might encounter issues.

To prevent errors, it's crucial to verify the availability of the LocationService functionality before using it.

handleGetCurrentLocationClick(event) {
const myLocationService = getLocationService();
if(myLocationService.isAvailable()) {
// Perform geolocation operations
}
else {
// LocationService not available
// Not running in an app with GPS, location APIs, etc.
// Handle with message, error, beep, and so on
}
}

Determine the current location

The current location is obtained by a function call, as shown below. Although this call is asynchronous and must be managed as a JavaScript Promise, it operates as a singular action, executing resource allocation and releases automatically.

myLocationService.getCurrentPosition({ enableHighAccuracy: true }).
then((result) => {
this.myLocation = result.coords;
// Do something with the location here
// Display a map, look up an address, save to a record
}).
catch((error) => {
// Handle any errors here
console.error(error);
});
}

Locate a better experience

Salesforce's LocationService API is a resource for Developers who want to enhance overall user experience by using location-based features in their apps.

By following best practices – such as checking for LocationService availability and subscribing to location change updates – you can create engaging mobile apps and enhance your mobile user experience with LocationService API.