How to Build Android Apps Using React Native?

What makes React Native for Android apps a popular choice in the development community? The reasons cannot be summed up in one sentence! React Native is a universally accepted cross-platform app development framework that abides by multiple resources and features, which makes it one of the most approachable tools for implementing business ideas. 

Have an Android app development project to start? This blog is the ultimate JACKPOT! 

From providing code examples to getting you equipped with all the tips and examples, we will help you become proficient in creating your first-ever Android app using React Native app development as our core platform. 

Time to jump into the pool of React Native advantages! 

Why is React Native Used For Android App Development? 

1. Shortens the time-to-market period

An application prototype may be created considerably more quickly. It is a result of the modular development process used in React Native. 

The app was built using “bricks” by React Native developers who customized and integrated several components. Such apps may be created in the quickest period feasible by skilled developers.

 You won’t need to develop apps for numerous platforms, as was already indicated. Rather, you create a single program for each OS. 

The cost of two mobile app development in one is practically half as a result. Isn’t that incredible?

2. Code one time and use on multiple devices

We anticipate the written code to operate consistently across all platforms because the technology is cross-platform app development. However, it’s crucial to remember that you can’t always design the same component or lay out the same logic for different platforms.

 The framework does not include the motives. It’s due to the possibility that some features on one platform could not be present on another or function differently.

3. Auto-update

An app created using React Native never has to be manually updated because everything is done automatically. Auto-update, however, only functions for the JavaScript-written “base” portion.

4. Create any app with React Native

As we’ve already shown, RN makes it simple to write for both operating systems. But does this imply that the app is capable of whatever the platform is capable of?

That depends, I guess. You may utilize a lot of different packages to make use of a smartphone’s features. If those things aren’t enough, you’ll need to understand the native language and understand how to correctly integrate native code into the framework. Sadly, not every React Native app developer is capable of writing code in a language other than JavaScript, such as Swift, Objective-C, or Kotlin.

You will thus be required to create all of the functionality in a native language in situations when the library is absent. The RN framework is ideal for a variety of applications with common characteristics. The quickest time-to-market apps or MVPs benefit greatly from this technology.

5. Supports Native components 

It’s easy to integrate the JS “backbone” of a React Native application with sections of Objective-C, Swift, or Java native code (for iOS or Android). 

To save time and provide both platforms with the same functionality, it is straightforward to add native components to final products and use RN modules for native apps.

This framework currently supports iOS more effectively than Android app development Services. It’s because Android was released later and iOS has more native components. The environment’s designers counter that this difference is just transient.

6. Live Reloading 

The available technology enables a practical tool that aids in compiling and reading the modified file.

7. Module Hot Reload:

React Native app developers may keep it functioning by making adjustments like UI upgrades. Additionally, without having to reload the mobile application, the developer may view the changes as soon as the “Save button” is clicked.

5 Top Examples of React Native Android Apps

1. WIX

A well-known website builder used React Native to create a mobile application. Business logic for its application, including UI components, is developed in JS and React at the highest level. The React Native framework serves as a bridge to the Native SDKs at the intermediate level. Users must include an external library in the project if they intend to use any other features, such as the camera API, contacts, or GPS. 

2. Tesla 

Tesla is the term of achievement in the field of electric vehicles. The fact that their vehicles are both energy-efficient and useful for their customers is one of the causes of this.

The ability for owners to operate and monitor many of their car’s operations on their mobile devices is what makes Tesla automobiles the most innovative. Due to this feature, automobiles and their owners become somewhat reliant on mobile applications. 

Tesla is now employing React Native for its mobile app development services because as their vehicles get more features, they need well-functioning apps.

3. Coinbase

You may consider the original Coinbase team mobile applications for iOS and Android to be “native,” as they were created in Objective-C and Java, respectively. Since January 2021, React Native has been used by developers to produce iOS and Android apps for Coinbase instead of native app development. 

As a result, one codebase is now shared by all of their mobile engineers. React Native’s benefits allowed developers to rework the product in only six months. They started rewriting the Android app in March 2020, and they published a redesigned Android app nearly precisely six months later. 

More than 56 million global people use the application, fascinating right?

4. Walmart

One of the most well-known global chain retailers nowadays is Walmart. As a result, the Walmart team heavily invested in React Native. They are aware that it will support the company’s continued dominance of the retail sector.

 With the aid of React Native, the team created the apps for iOS and Android. It permitted employing only one development team and reduced their expenses by 50%. One of the nicest things about React Native is its quick development cycle, which allowed the team to deliver the app more quickly, outpace rivals, and satisfy customers.

5. Shopify

This software aids users in starting and growing their companies. It makes it simple to set up online shops and advertise them there. To integrate features and make it simpler for developers to handle updates, the team opted to adopt React Native app development services. It also assisted in cutting development expenses.

What Are The Steps To Create Android Apps In React Native

With Android, the development process may begin on any device. Therefore, regardless of the OS you choose, you will require virtually the same packages as with macOS, and the process of writing code will be comparable to that of iOS app development. The only program that changes is the one that starts the mobile emulator. 

1. Download the dependency packages 

We’ll talk about configuring the Windows environment in this section. It is almost the same for Linux. Additionally, if you use Linux, you have a lot of experience installing the components required for development.

Get the Chocolatey package manager first. It functions similarly to Brew for Windows. Given this:

  • Launching PowerShell with administrator privileges
  • Type Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned or Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process into the command line
  • Then key in the command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-ObjectSystem.Net.WebClient). DownloadString(‘https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1’))

The final command will begin the automated download and installation of Chocolatey. The Java application development environment and Node.js must then be downloaded. Use the command choco install -y nodejs-lts openjdk11 to do this.

2. Install & set up Android Studio

After then, the procedure becomes somewhat more involved, so carefully follow the directions to reduce the likelihood of mistakes and problems during setup.

The Android Studio development environment is required. Select the following components before installing the project:

  • Android Virtual Device, 
  • Android SDK, 
  • Android SDK Platform.

The Hyper-V virtualization module must also be downloaded and installed. The most recent version of the Android SDK will automatically download when you install Android Studio, by default. Version 10 is required to create applications using React Native code, though. Therefore, you: 

  • Launch Android Studio; 
  • Navigate to the Appearance & Behaviour settings section; 
  • Select the System Settings option; 
  • Select the Android SDK menu; 
  • Select the SDK Platforms tab; 
  • Locate and select the item Show Package Details; 
  • Next, look for the SDK version of Android 10 (Q) and check the boxes next to the items: Android SDK Platform 29, Intel x86 Atom64 System Image, and Google APIs Intel x86 Atom System Image; 
  • A similar process must be followed when accessing the SDK Tools tab.
  • The last step is to click on the Apply button to install the changes implemented on the IDE. 

3. Create an environment variable

You must set up a global environment variable to use React Native on Windows. Making it:

  • Go to the user management area in the “Control Panel” after opening it.
  • Locate the component there that controls the environment’s variables;
  • A new variable named ANDROID_HOME be created;
  • The real location of the Android SDK should be used in place of the default value. It’s seen in Android Studio’s settings;
  • Open the PowerShell command line after that;
  • Type Get-ChildItem -Path Env: in the command line;
  • Afterward, open the control panel once more, navigate to the user management area, and create a new environment variable—this time one called Path. Its default value is AndroidSdkplatform-tools%LOCALAPPDATA%.

4. Set up React Native project to run the app in real-time infrastructure

Additionally, the setup procedure is the same as it is for iPhones and iPads. The React Native console utility must first be installed before being used. The React Native for iOS installation section details each step in the installation process. 

 The run command is the primary distinction between the two systems. You must type npx react-native run-android in the case of Android.

After issuing the npx react-native run-ios command, the simulator interface will appear. When creating for Android, it works with Xcode on macOS and Android Studio on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The simulator will display your program. Everything suggests that you downloaded the app on your phone. You may now immediately start altering the code.

  • Open your preferred text editor, such as VSCode;
  • Go to the reactNativeWeather project directory inside; 
  • After that, open the App.js file and make the necessary code edits.

Who Should You Hire For React Native Android App Development Services?

You have two choices after deciding on React Native. 

1. Hire a freelancer

However, you will then be responsible for managing every step yourself. You will need to keep an eye on him continually to ensure that he meets deadlines and finds a way to evaluate the work’s quality. A UI/UX designer is also required to create the interview displays. 

2. Employ a full-cycle development team to handle everything. 

Typically, development organisations have all the personnel you require, including project managers, QA engineers, and UI/UX designers.

You’ll save astronomical sums of money and a tonne of development time if you hire a talented React Native development company that can overcome the particular problems presented by React Native.

Wrapping Up

There are multiple ifs and buts when it comes to building your very first Android application. Trying out different styles is effective to find out what best suits your business. 

Using React Native app development services for your Android app needs is currently the most demanding approach among developers and organizations. 

This blog is a basic concept of how to get started with your Android app development in React Native interface. As the framework can be persuasive, it is smart to get in touch with a mobile app development company for seamless integration and configurations. 

Happy Reading! 

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