Easily request location access from users by using a OneSignal in-app message as a soft pre-prompt before showing the required native system-level location permission dialog. This improves opt-in rates and gives you more control over when and how to ask. Alternatively, you can directly trigger the system prompt using our Mobile SDK location methods.

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Requirements

Before creating your in-app message:

  • Add location tracking permissions to your app (for both Android and iOS).
  • Enable location sharing with OneSignal in your app code.

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Create your message

1

Create your message

In the OneSignal dashboard, go to: Messages > In-App > New In-App

2

Audience

  • If all users should see the prompt, select Show to all users.
  • Otherwise, target a specific Segment.
3

Message design

  • Clearly explain why location access benefits the user. E.g., “Enable location to receive relevant local updates.”
  • Be concise but specific to increase opt-in likelihood.

Image showing in-app blocks and ability to add click actions alongside preview

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Add the Location Permission Prompt Click Action

1

Add a button or image

Add a button or image with a clear call to action (e.g., “Enable Location”).

2

Add a click action

In the options:

  • Click Add Click Action
  • Select Location Permission Prompt

When clicked, OneSignal will trigger the native, required system-level location prompt.

If location is already enabled, the message won’t show to avoid unnecessary prompts.

Both Android and iOS limit how frequently system-level prompts can appear. Using this soft pre-prompt helps avoid those limitations and allows for repeat attempts if needed.

Image showing in-app blocks and ability to add click actions

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Trigger the in-app message

You can control when and how the prompt is shown.

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Option 1: Time-based triggers

Show the message after a user has been in the app for a set amount of time (e.g., after 30 seconds).

Image showing session in-app trigger.

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Option 2: Programmatic triggers

Control exactly when the prompt appears via the SDK:

1

Add the trigger code to the app.

Use our SDK’s addTrigger method to set a key like location_prompt and value like true. Then call this whenever you want inside your app.

2

Add the trigger to the message

Set the same trigger key (location_prompt) and value (true) in your in-app message settings.

Image showing programmatic In-app trigger.

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Set the message frequency

To avoid spamming users:

  • Choose Multiple times
  • Set a number of times to show the message
  • Set a gap between each attempt

Example setting: show up to 5 times, with a 4-week gap between each attempt

This allows monthly reminders for up to 5 months, striking a balance between persistence and user experience.

Example scheduling configuration for repeat prompts.

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Best Practices

  • Always explain the benefit of location access to users.
  • Use segmentation or triggers to avoid asking at a bad time.
  • Pre-prompts increase opt-in rates and avoid operating system limits.
  • Ensure location permissions are correctly configured in your app before triggering the in-app message.

You will start to see location points being tracked in your Users and Subscriptions pages.

Create Location-triggered messages.