How to get current country of Device in React Native (iOS and Android)?

Getting the Device’s Current Country in React Native

This article guides you on retrieving the device’s current country in React Native applications, covering both iOS and Android platforms.

Methods for Determining Country

There are two primary approaches to achieving this:

1. Using Geolocation API

The Geolocation API provides access to the device’s location, which can be used to infer the user’s country.

Steps:

• Install the `react-native-geolocation-service` package:

npm install react-native-geolocation-service

• Link the package (if needed):

react-native link react-native-geolocation-service

• Import necessary components:

import Geolocation from 'react-native-geolocation-service';

• Request user location permissions:

import { PermissionsAndroid } from 'react-native';
// Android:
const requestLocationPermission = async () => {
  try {
    const granted = await PermissionsAndroid.request(
      PermissionsAndroid.PERMISSIONS.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION,
      {
        title: 'Location Permission',
        message:
          'This app needs access to your location ' +
          'so you can be shown nearby places.',
        buttonNeutral: 'Ask Me Later',
        buttonNegative: 'Cancel',
        buttonPositive: 'OK',
      },
    );
    if (granted === PermissionsAndroid.RESULTS.GRANTED) {
      console.log('You can use the location');
    } else {
      console.log('Location permission denied');
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.warn(err);
  }
};

• Fetch coordinates and use a Geocoding API:

const fetchCountry = async () => {
  try {
    const position = await Geolocation.getCurrentPosition();
    const latitude = position.coords.latitude;
    const longitude = position.coords.longitude;
    // Use a Geocoding API (like Google Maps Geocoding API) to convert coordinates to address and extract country.
    // Refer to the API documentation for details.
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  }
};

2. Using Device Information API (iOS)

On iOS, you can leverage the `Device` module to obtain the user’s region code, which can be used to identify the country.

Steps:

• Import the `Device` module:

import Device from 'react-native-device-info';

• Retrieve the region code:

const regionCode = Device.getRegionCode(); // Returns a 2-letter country code
// Example: 'US', 'GB', 'IN', etc.

Comparison of Methods

Method	iOS	Android	Accuracy	Privacy
Geolocation API	✔	✔	High (depends on API)	Moderate (user location data)
Device Information API	✔	❌	Moderate (based on device settings)	Low (only region code)

Choosing the Right Approach

Consider these factors when deciding on the best method for your situation:

• Platform support: If you need to support Android, the Geolocation API is your only option.
• Accuracy: Geocoding APIs offer the most accurate results.
• Privacy: The Geolocation API requires user location permissions, which may raise privacy concerns.

You might even combine these methods, first trying the Device Information API on iOS and falling back to Geolocation if the region code is unavailable.




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