How To Build Mobile Apps With React Native 

Businesses have realized that with a digital presence, it will be easier to survive in the market for the coming decades. Mobile apps have grabbed the lead in all domains, from communication to commerce, healthcare to entertainment.

Businesses are beginning to create extremely efficient enterprise apps that function flawlessly on iOS and Android. However, their ability to invest in mobile app development is constrained by the rising cost of app development, but React Native has unquestionably introduced a paradigm shift in the app development business.

React, a top-notch JavaScript toolkit for creating user interfaces is combined with the greatest aspects of native programming in React Native. You may already use React Native in your existing Android and iOS applications, or you can start from scratch and build a whole new app.

Nothing beats using JavaScript to create applications unless you develop mobile applications. JavaScript is used to create web applications; it was previously impossible to use it to create native mobile applications. Every web developer found it challenging to start creating native mobile apps. They must master whatever programming language was employed for this, whether it be Java, Objective-C, or another.

What is React Native?

React Native, in a nutshell, is a JavaScript package that enables app developers to construct applications that closely resemble Native applications in terms of appearance, functionality, and user experience. The essential User Interface building pieces used by most iOS and Android apps are also used here. All you have to do is use JavaScript and React to connect those building blocks. 

The most exciting aspect of adopting React Native is that it almost duplicates the same idea that is used to construct online applications when generating cross-platform apps for both Android and iOS. Before React Native, you had to write your code twice, once for Android and once for iOS but that is not the situation anymore.

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How to Build Native Mobile Applications

We can create native JavaScript apps for iOS and Android with React Native. It enables us to use all of the built-in features, including gestures, push notifications, the camera, and location. Other JavaScript libraries, such as Ionic or PhoneGap, are available for creating mobile apps. However, because those libraries rely on Webview, the apps created using those tools are not native. 

Creating Cross Platform Mobile Apps for iOS and Android

You can create mobile apps for iOS and Android with React Native. This is one of the many advantages of React Native. Prior to Facebook's invention, you had to write codes for two separate versions of the same app, one for Android using Java or Kotlin and one for iOS using Swift or Objective-C. This issue was resolved by React Native, allowing you to create a React Native application that would run on both iOS and Android. 

Using React Native For The First Time

Beginning with React Native might be thrilling but also a little perplexing. Installing it is the initial step, and there are a few different ways to do it:

Using expo-CLI

expo-CLI is a command-line application. It incorporates the expo API, downloads, and installs the React Native boilerplate for you (check here for the installation guide). It's a simple process, and it is one that is recommended if you're just getting started with React Native.

You have a lot of possibilities with expo-CLI. They include:

• Your application can be tested and operated on a mobile device without any further configuration. 

• Your app will launch with the expo mobile app when a QR code is scanned. 

• Over a web interface called appertize, you can browse other mobile applications created with React Native in the browser.

Using react-native-CLI

The react-native-CLI performs the same function as the expo-CLI but uses a different methodology and offers additional benefits, which include:

• The choice and capacity to develop your own native modules in your apps with react-native-CLI-installed apps.

• Creating native modules without ejecting your program. 

React Native app development differs depending on the platform. Sometimes a specific setup is required for a certain platform. Let's look at how the Android SDK works since it is necessary when building for Android.

Creating Mobile Applications For Android

To begin creating for Android, you must install a few tools. You must first download and set up Android Studio and the Android SDK. You can follow this link to download them.

You must install some APIs in addition to Android Studio once it has been downloaded. To do that, launch Android Studio, click on the settings tab, and the following dialog will appear:

First, select the platform in the SDK Platforms page that you want your react-native to support (for example Android 6.0 Marshmallow). After that, use SDK tools.

Then check “Android SDK Build-Tools”, “Android SDK tools”, and “Google Play Service”. Under Android SDK Build-Tools, select all the installed packages.

We have now finished using Android Studio and Andriod SDK. The simulator or emulator is the next phase. We must run and test our software on the simulator. There are numerous options available.

Simulators for Android Studio are available. Using an actual device or Genymotion is another option. 

Using Actual Devices

Nothing is better than running and testing your software on actual hardware. This is because it enables you to see how your program appears on a real device. It gives you a sense of reality about your work that a virtual device can't. So don't be reluctant to use a device if you have the ability to do so.

Genymotion

This desktop program called Genymotion offers a virtual emulator for testing your program. It's quick and offers you the chance to design a phone using the characteristics you'd find in any actual device. For instance, it makes WiFi, Location, and Camera available.

Building iOS apps using React Native

Running React Native on iOS looks very similar to running it on Android. Although with a few limitations, the same React Native app that runs on Android can also run on iOS.

For instance, you require a MacOS in order to run on an iOS device. Regarding MacOS and iOS, running React Native on any platform does not require the installation of any additional dependencies, such as the Android SDK. To test your React Native app, you can use the emulators provided by Xcode. 

Both iOS and Android may be used on MacOS. Genymotion and Android Studio can also both be installed on MacOS. This option is not available on a PC, where you can only run the Android emulator but not an iOS emulator. 

Now that we've set up the necessary infrastructure to create a React Native application, how is the React Native code written? You will actually need to write a Reactjs code; it's that easy.

React Native Debugging

It's crucial to debug your code, not just in React Native but in any programming language. You must therefore be aware of what's happening in your React Native code. A React Native app can be debugged in a variety of methods, including: 

Using the Chrome devtools to Debug

You have the choice to view your app's logs using Chrome devtools while using React Native. Simply press “Ctrl+m” on the keyboard to debug with Chrome and enable debugging mode in your emulator. This will make the window to appear:

Then select “Debug Js Remotely”. The Google Chrome tab with the address http://localhost:8081/debugger-ui/ will be opened as a result. What additional options are there besides utilizing Chrome devtools?

Using The React-native-debugger

A fantastic tool for debugging React Native code is react-native-debugger. It is a desktop program that offers you a lot of benefits that includes integration with React-devtools and Redux devtools. Additionally, you can debug the style. It typically works with MacOS, Windows, and Linux. View the installation and integration manual.

Conclusion 

If you have finally decided to design a cross-platform application for your business, React Native is undoubtedly one of the most popular choices of frameworks that helps you to construct applications with stunning Native UI. If you are ready to put in the effort, the above tutorial will put you in position, but if by chance, you doubt your skills, it is advised that you work with a mobile app development company like Front Tribe to create a fully working app that properly suits your organization's requirements.