Execute code in the background when push notification is received iOS15

Question

I'm building an app which is running in the background and tracking significant location changes on the device.

Is it possible to send a push notification to the device and have the device send the current precise location to a server without needing the user to open the app so it runs in the foreground?

This previous SO answer doesn't seem to work anymore with iOS15. application:didReceiveRemoteNotification:fetchCompletionHandler does not seem to get called until I foreground the app. Is there a new method to achieve this functionality?

Answer 1

There is a new feature since iOS 15: Location Push Service Extension (CLLocationPushServiceExtension - docs here). It is a power efficient way to query locations on iOS devices, even when your app isn’t running.

Please dive in into the docs and follow steps to configure Xcode project, add a Location Push Service Extension Target and implement Location Push functionality. Don't forget about proper entitlements and to request authorization for Location Services!

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/cllocationmanager/creating_a_location_push_service_extension