How can I use geofencing to send push notifications to users based on their location?

Pushwoosh allows you to send push notifications based on a user's geographic location using a feature called Geozones (geo campaigns).

What are Geozones? Geozones are virtual geographic boundaries that you define on a map. A geo campaign fires a push automatically when a user's device enters one of these areas (there is no exit trigger). The range can be set between 50 m and 100 km, with 200 m as the default, and you can configure a cooldown period to manage notification frequency.

How to set up Geozones:

1. Ensure you have configured at least one mobile platform (Android or iOS) in your Pushwoosh project, and that the Pushwoosh SDK in your app has location tracking enabled.

2. In your Pushwoosh Control Panel, navigate to Campaigns → Geo campaigns.

3. You can view existing Geozones or click Create geozone to create a new one.

4. When configuring a Geozone, you will need to provide:

* Campaign name: a short, recognizable label, up to 64 characters.

* Message: either Write a message (push text entered directly in the form, up to 1024 characters) or Use an existing preset for full templating.

* Location: define the center of the Geozone by placing a marker on the map, searching for an address, or pasting coordinates into the search bar.

* Range (Radius): drag the handle on the circle. Between 50 m and 100 km.

* Cooldown: how long Pushwoosh waits before this Geozone can trigger another notification for the same device. Standalone cooldowns run from 1 minute to 41 days; a cluster cooldown overrides the geozone's own value.

* Campaign schedule: Always active, or specific weekdays with one time window per day.

Targeting users by location in a manual push: geo campaigns are the automatic trigger. To target by location in a one-time push, build a segment with a Geo filter instead — you search for a place or enter latitude/longitude and a radius in the within field. Note that this filter uses the last known device coordinates stored in Pushwoosh (from registerDevice, or city-level accuracy from the device IP), not a live position, and it does not let you pick an existing Geozone.

Important Considerations:

* Geofencing relies on location services being enabled on the user's device. If location permission was not granted, geo campaigns cannot trigger for that device.

* On Android 10 and later, background location permission is required, and Google Play requires an approved permissions declaration.

* Geo-based messaging is not available for HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) devices, because it relies on Google location services.

* The Pushwoosh SDK must be correctly integrated into your app to support location tracking and Geozones.