diff --git a/Libraries/Geolocation/Geolocation.js b/Libraries/Geolocation/Geolocation.js
index 5f75e549fb..c8fd2890e8 100644
--- a/Libraries/Geolocation/Geolocation.js
+++ b/Libraries/Geolocation/Geolocation.js
@@ -71,6 +71,16 @@ type GeoOptions = {
  */
 var Geolocation = {
 
+  /*
+   * Request suitable Location permission based on the key configured on pList.
+   * If NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription is set, it will request Always authorization,
+   * although if NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription is set, it will request InUse
+   * authorization.
+   */
+  requestAuthorization: function() {
+    RCTLocationObserver.requestAuthorization();
+  },
+
   /*
    * Invokes the success callback once with the latest location info.  Supported
    * options: timeout (ms), maximumAge (ms), enableHighAccuracy (bool)
diff --git a/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m b/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m
index e392db3203..d442ad7542 100644
--- a/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m
+++ b/Libraries/Geolocation/RCTLocationObserver.m
@@ -135,27 +135,7 @@ RCT_EXPORT_MODULE()
 
 - (void)beginLocationUpdatesWithDesiredAccuracy:(CLLocationAccuracy)desiredAccuracy distanceFilter:(CLLocationDistance)distanceFilter
 {
-  if (!_locationManager) {
-    _locationManager = [CLLocationManager new];
-    _locationManager.delegate = self;
-  }
-
-  // Request location access permission
-  if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription"] &&
-    [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) {
-    [_locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization];
-
-    // On iOS 9+ we also need to enable background updates
-    NSArray *backgroundModes  = [[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"UIBackgroundModes"];
-    if(backgroundModes && [backgroundModes containsObject:@"location"]) {
-      if([_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(setAllowsBackgroundLocationUpdates:)]) {
-        [_locationManager setAllowsBackgroundLocationUpdates:YES];
-      }
-    }
-  } else if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription"] &&
-    [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestWhenInUseAuthorization)]) {
-    [_locationManager requestWhenInUseAuthorization];
-  }
+  [self requestAuthorization];
 
   _locationManager.distanceFilter  = distanceFilter;
   _locationManager.desiredAccuracy = desiredAccuracy;
@@ -180,6 +160,31 @@ RCT_EXPORT_MODULE()
 
 #pragma mark - Public API
 
+RCT_EXPORT_METHOD(requestAuthorization)
+{
+  if (!_locationManager) {
+    _locationManager = [CLLocationManager new];
+    _locationManager.delegate = self;
+  }
+
+  // Request location access permission
+  if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription"] &&
+    [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) {
+    [_locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization];
+
+    // On iOS 9+ we also need to enable background updates
+    NSArray *backgroundModes  = [[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"UIBackgroundModes"];
+    if (backgroundModes && [backgroundModes containsObject:@"location"]) {
+      if ([_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(setAllowsBackgroundLocationUpdates:)]) {
+        [_locationManager setAllowsBackgroundLocationUpdates:YES];
+      }
+    }
+  } else if ([[NSBundle mainBundle] objectForInfoDictionaryKey:@"NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription"] &&
+    [_locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestWhenInUseAuthorization)]) {
+    [_locationManager requestWhenInUseAuthorization];
+  }
+}
+
 RCT_EXPORT_METHOD(startObserving:(RCTLocationOptions)options)
 {
   checkLocationConfig();