New Extension Release: Reliable Background Geofencing for App Inventor
Hi everyone,
I’m excited to share a brand-new extension for App Inventor developers who need accurate, battery-efficient, and fully background-capable geofencing in their apps.
What the Taifun Geofence Extension Does
The extension allows your app to detect:
- Enter events
- Exit events
- Dwell events (staying inside a geofence for X seconds)
And the best part: It works even when the app is closed or after the device is rebooted.
All geofences are automatically restored at boot.
This is made possible through:
Google’s official **Geofencing API **
A persistent foreground service
Optional local notifications
Optional Itoo integration to trigger App Inventor procedures from the background. Thank you @Kumaraswamy for itoo!
Main Features
Up to 100 simultaneous geofences (paid version)
Free version supports 2 geofences
Very battery-friendly thanks to Google Play Services
Works on Android 8+ (API 26+)
Automatically recreates geofences after reboot- 🛜 Supports sending triggers to web services (MySQL, Firebase, Apps Script, email…)
Includes clear documentation and a demo project
Optional foreground location tracking via Fused Location Provider
Full permission handling (foreground + background location)
Example Uses
Here are some real-world scenarios where geofencing becomes incredibly useful:
Automation
Trigger an action when the user arrives home — turn on lights, open a garage app, or activate a mode.
Attendance Check-ins
Employees, students, or staff can be automatically checked in when entering a defined area.
Delivery & Logistics
Notify customers when a driver approaches, or log arrival/departure times at locations.
Safety & Monitoring
Send alerts when a device enters or leaves a restricted zone.
Travel & Tourism
Show specific content when users reach a point of interest.
Smart Reminders
Create reminders that activate only when the user is near a location (e.g., “Buy milk when near the supermarket”).
Testing Geofences
To test geofencing without physically moving, I recommend the free app Lockito, which simulates real GPS travel routes.
Available blocks
Downloads
- Free version (.aix) – 2 geofences
- Example project (.aia)
- Full version available for purchase for 15 USD
For documentation, download and details see here App Inventor Extensions: Geofence | Pura Vida Apps
If you have questions, need help integrating the extension, or want to share your own use cases — feel free to reply here!
Taifun