Popular Mobile applications developed in React Native

Posted by Parija Rangnekar On Filed under React Native No Comments
Popular Mobile applications developed in React Native
react native app development
Mobile applications have become a part and parcel of modern-day lives. Whether it’s connecting with friends, sharing photos or videos, reading books, purchasing necessities, watching movies, booking a cab, or ordering food from your favorite eatery & getting the food delivered to your doorstep, mobile apps do them all.
The market is flooded with endless mobile applications. But, why do you think some apps are popular while others fail to impress? Well, it’s all about the usability, USPs, responsiveness, and intuitiveness of the app design; and most importantly, the features that make an app stand out. Also, how the app’s content gets displayed and the navigation is handled contributes to an app’s chances to be noticed by the target audiences.
To create a good-quality app, the choice of mobile app framework and technologies used play a crucial role. Besides the usage of cutting-edge technologies, other factors like cost, time-to-market, and cross-platform compatibility are considered to optimize profitability. Here, the React Native framework is one of the best picks for software development. With React Native, you can create native-like mobile applications with cross-platform compatibility, while reaping the benefits of cost-efficiency and a speedy development process.
Let’s take a peek at the popular React Native apps. Here’s how tech giants have leveraged the potential of React Native developers to create success stories.

React Native Mobile Apps that stand out

 

Walmart

If you are looking to save money, the best option to do so is open a savings account. Walmart offers you an easy way of doing so. The Walmart-developed solution – a pre-loaded bank card – allows you to create an account with Walmart using your smartphone device or computer. This card comes with beneficial offerings. Unlike several other accounts, this one doesn’t require a minimum credit score or minimum balance limit for card users. You can use this card for Walmart purchases and get 3% cash-back rewards. The card can be used at other places besides Walmart. Users also have the option to link their bank accounts to the app to receive notifications when money is debited or credited.
Walmart Visa & MasterCard credit cards, Walmart Money Market, and Walmart Credit & Charge Cards, are some varieties of services offered by the Walmart application. Thanks to the availability of these services users will have a good reason to save money.
Users enjoy the convenience to use their computer or smartphone devices for accessing the saved information. Hence, users can effortlessly access their accounts and update their information without any hassles.

Starbucks

If you are fond of coffee, getting your drink or coffee instantly is important for you. Keeping this user requirement in mind, Starbucks has devised a solution with its third-party application. This is one of the most popular React Native apps.
The app enables users to create accounts and manage them. Users can also order coffee ahead of time and make online payments for their coffee via convenient options. The app enables users to track their orders in real-time and offers personalized services. For example, customers can customize their favorite orders.
The app pays special attention to customer engagement. If customers order in a row they have a good chance to win in-app rewards through personalized challenges. For instance, customers earn points and can redeem these points to get free food items and drinks. Customers remain updated on the featured beverage & food products and also get notified about the announcements regarding the launch of new products. Additionally, the app integrates with Spotify to elevate the UX for music lovers.

Dunkin Donuts

If you love Dunkin Donuts products, then you will want to install the Dunkin Donuts mobile app. This React Native app works great on tablets as well.
The Dunkin Donuts app allows users to create an account and track orders in real-time. Once your order has been sent, you can check its status every few minutes to see whether it has been delivered.
Users can also add and track Rewards Program points and rewards points from clothing sites like Amazon or physical gift cards from retailers like Target. You can even manage your order immediately after submitting it via the app.
This app was built with user experience in mind. Users are able to easily find what they want to order, and put it in their order process quickly is what they answer when asked for help.

Facebook

Not too long ago, there was no universal mobile app for your phone or tablet that included a Facebook account. Now, you can make and share updates to your status, get into parties and events you’re a part of, and connect with other people who are also using the app to keep track of what they’re up to.
This is just one example of how React Native has impacted the way apps are built. With its support for JavaScript-based code, React Native makes it easy to create cutting-edge apps that stay relevant and modern.
The best part about having a Facebook account on your phone is being able to instantly check your friends’ statuses! It is extremely helpful when getting ready for class or before an exam because you can see if your classmates are paying attention or not.

Messenger

Nowadays, most people are connected to their phones. We are constantly staying in touch with our friends and seeing what’s happening around us.
Receiving messages is a quick way to stay connected. So, it’s no surprise that people are spending more time texting than calling.
Even though fewer and fewer people have traditional cell phones, they still use them. People still rely on text messaging to reach out to someone and stay in touch. Some people prefer the convenience of a text message over any other form of communication. And, needless to say, Messenger is the perfect pick for fulfilling the messaging requirements of modern-day smartphone users. This is one of the best React Native apps that facilitate communication.

Instagram

If you are a fan of Instagram, then you know how valuable it is to have the app on your phone. Having the app means you can stay up to date with new photos and updates.
If you are following a designated group account, then adding them as a follower is done via the app. You can also add multiple accounts if needed.
Having the app ensures your followers know what you are up to! If you are running a private business, this is an effective platform to advertise your products.
Many of your followers may not have an account but will want to join your group after seeing what you do and how fun it is. If they do not sign up yet, use their phone number and ask them to join once they get a call or text message from you!
Having both an Instagram and a Group Instagram account is highly recommended for hosting groups, as neither one does any more checks for user accounts. No wonder, Instagram is one of the most trending React Native apps of modern times.

Home Depot

When you’re ready to start building your home, Home Depot has you covered. Their mobile app features complete information on houses, budgets, and construction tips.
The app is free and available on both Apple and Android stores. Home Depot’s app is one of the most useful React Native apps. Once you enter your information, you will be sent tips and updates about homes for sale in your area.
You can also sign up for home inspection services, get a mortgage, or schedule a remodelling project. The app is really helpful in providing information about homes you can buy and how much they cost.

Capital One

If you’re looking for the next step up from our top favourite mobile apps, then you should consider trying out Capital One. Its app features an entirely web-based dashboard that you can use to check your account, alerts, and view the changes.
This app was built with React Native, which means it works on both iOS and Android. It also has a web interface so you can still manage your account and alerts from afar. This app was a pioneer when it came to React Native apps and introduced many new features such as the dashboard, alerts, and managing your accounts from afar.


Closing Views

This is how React Native apps are being utilized by biggies to hit the right chord and garner universal acceptance. But, for creating a bestselling mobile app, you need to pay heed to the development process as well and avoid common developmental errors. Most of the time, companies rush software development and deployment as standard procedures. This causes React Native developers to underspend on technical knowledge and development skills, which can easily backfire. Therefore, partnering with an experienced React Native app development Company will prove beneficial.
However, the mobile app market is constantly evolving and so it’s important to stay relevant as per changing trends. So, an app that was once popular needs to be updated regularly to meet the ongoing requirements and user preferences.

How to develop your first React Native Application?

Posted by Parija Rangnekar On Filed under React Native App No Comments
How to develop your first React Native Application?
React Native is one of the most sought-after mobile app development frameworks. This Facebook-created framework has React as its base and uses JavaScript to build cross-platform applications. React Native apps share a single codebase for the Android and iOS operating systems. Developers write these apps in JSX and compile them into the native code. You’ll be able to customize this native code to suit specific project development requirements. As such, one could barely distinguish the cross-platform apps built with React Native from truly native apps.
Since React Native development teams can target several platforms and operating systems with the same codebase and development effort, its popularity is sky-high. This framework also comes with multiple other beneficial features. So, if you’ve not yet explored this profitable framework, it’s high time to consider it for your next project. This post provides step-by-step guidance to beginners on how to sail through their first React Native app development project.

Getting Started with Developing a React Native App

There are two options for getting started with the development process. You either employ Expo or the React Native CLI. Let’s explore the offerings and development steps of each of these approaches!

Get Started with Expo

If you are a novice in the mobile app development arena, I would recommend you to use “Expo Go” as it offers an easier and quicker way to build your first React Native application. Expo contains a set of services and tools best suited to the React Native environment. It comes with numerous handy features. Here are the most notable ones!
Using Expo, you get a wide variety of pre-built libraries and components including a feature-packed native runtime with several modules. React Native app developers can speedily prototype, create, and publish applications without having to worry about the underlying native code.
Expo Go speeds up the development process and reduces friction. Developers can effortlessly experiment with their innovative ideas. You only require a mobile phone device or an emulator and the latest Node.js version. You can run the app on a physical device without the need to install Android or iOS native SDKs. Expo Go also allows you to test your application directly on your mobile device when you carry out any modifications.
Expo is a great choice when you are working on simpler projects and need to develop an app quickly. However, with Expo Go, you cannot add customized native code. You can only use the built-in native modules offered by Expo. For using third-party native modules and libraries you need additional development steps.
Here are the key steps for getting started with Expo!
Step#1
Run the command npm install -g expo-cli in your terminal for installing the Expo CLI.
Step#2
Use the Expo CLI for creating a new React Native project; run the code expo init my-app in your terminal.
Step#3
Select your preferable template for the project. Some examples are “tabs,” “blank,” etc. Follow the prompts for setting up your project.
Step#4
After you create the project, run the command cd my-app in your terminal to navigate to your project directory.
Step#5
Run the command npx expo start or yarn expo start to start the development server.
Step#6
Install the “Expo Go” app on your Android or iOS mobile device. Connect it to the same wireless network that your computer is using. Now, use the “Expo Go” app to scan the QR code on your mobile device for viewing the app in development. For iOS devices, you can use the in-built QR code scanner provided by the default Camera app of iOS.
Step#7
Now, try making changes. Modify your app’s code and then save the files. Your changes will be reflected on the Expo Go app in real-time.
Step#8
Thereafter, run the command expo build:android or expo build:ios to create a production-ready version of your app.
This way, you’ll be able to create a standalone build of your React Native software solution. You can upload it to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Get Started with React Native CLI

If you have some prior experience in creating mobile applications or have more complex development requirements, the React Native CLI is a preferred pick. Using React Native’s command-line interface, developers enjoy more flexibility and control over the development process. One can access the entire React Native API and can integrate the necessary native modules and libraries into the application. This approach proves particularly beneficial for developing complex apps that need advanced features and custom integrations.
Here are the key steps for getting started with React Native CLI!
Step#1: Install Dependencies
Install the React Native CLI and all the necessary dependencies for getting started. The official documentation includes the installation instructions based on your OS. These are the major steps:
  • Download and install Node.js and npm on your machine from the official website of Node.js at https://nodejs.org/en. You can use the popular Windows Package Manager “Chocolatey” for installing Node. It’s advisable to use an LTS version of Node. And, if you need to switch between various versions, you can use the “nvm-windows,” one of Node’s version managers for Windows. If you have a Node version already installed on your machine, ensure that it’s Node 14 or a more advanced version.
 
  • The next vital step is installing React Native CLI globally on your system. For this, open your terminal or command prompt and then enter this command:
           npm install -g react-native-cli
  • Also, install a JDK (Java SE Development Kit) via “Chocolatey.” Follow these steps. Open the Administrator Command Prompt and right-click the Command Prompt. Then choose the option “Run as Administrator” and employ the command choco install -y nodejs-lts microsoft-openjdk11. Here, I recommend using JDK11 as issues might crop up if using higher JDK versions.
Step#2: Set a native Development Environment
Install either Xcode (for iOS development) or Android Studio (for Android development) on your machine. Now that you’ve installed Android Studio/Xcode, you need to configure them with React Native. Follow the detailed instructions provided in the official documentation for this purpose.
Create a new React Native project. For this, you need to open your command prompt or terminal and run the following command
npx react-native init MyFirstApp
You need to replace “MyFirstApp” with the name of your project.
Step#3: Run your React Native Application
To begin with, you need to start the JavaScript bundler “Metro.” “Metro ships with React Native. It accepts an entry file and different options and then, generates a single JS file that contains the code and all the dependencies. Then, start Metro by running this command inside your React Native project directory.
npx react-native start
Now, the development server for your project gets started. The Metro Bundler will start and will bundle JavaScript and other assets of the app.
Run your app in a device emulator by opening a new terminal window and navigating to your project directory. It’s necessary to open a new terminal because you need to allow the Metro Bundler to run in its terminal. Run this command Inside the new terminal:
“npx react-native run-android” (for Android apps)
Or
“npx react-native run-ios” (for iOS apps).
This command will launch your app on an emulator or a connected device.
Step#4: Make Modifications
After you’ve successfully run the application, you can make the required changes. This is how you need to do it. Pick a text editor and open App.tsx in it. Then, edit some lines. For viewing the modifications, either click Reload from the “Developer Menu” or press the R key two times.

How to create a basic component in React Native?

Now that you’ve set up your app, open the project directory in your preferred code editor and begin writing the code.
This is how you can create a simple component in React Native.
import React from ‘react’;
import { View, Text } from ‘react-native’;
const MyComponent = () => {
return (

import MyComponent from ‘./MyComponent’;

);
};
export default MyComponent;
You can use this component in other parts of your application by importing it. Take a look at this example!

import MyComponent from ‘./MyComponent’;

const App = () => {
return (

<View>

<MyComponent />

</View>

);
);
export default App;

How to Style Your React Native Components?

You need to create stylesheets for styling your React Native Components. For this, you can utilize the “StyleSheet” API offered by the framework. With this API, you’ll be able to define styles in a separate file. You can import this and apply it to your React Native components.
Step#1
Create a new file in your project directory. Name the file styles.js. This file will contain your styles.
Step#2
Import the StyleSheet API from React Native in your styles.js file
import { StyleSheet } from ‘react-native’;
Step#3
Use the StyleSheet.create() method for defining your styles. In this method, an object is taken as an argument. Here, every key represents a style name and its value is an object having style properties.
Here’s an example in which we define two styles- container and text
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
container: {
flex: 1,
justifyContent: ‘center’,
alignItems: ‘center’,
backgroundColor: ‘#F5FCFF’,
},
text: {
fontSize: 20,
textAlign: ‘center’,
margin: 10,
},
});
Step#4
Now, export your styles. For this, add “export default styles;” at the end of your styles.js file.
Step#5
Import your styles in your React Native component
import styles from ‘./styles.js’;
Now, use the style prop to apply the styles to your component

<View style={styles.container}>

<Text style={styles.text}>Hello, world!</Text>

</View>

Here, we’ve applied the container style to a View component and the text style to a Text component.
This way, you can create styles and apply the stylesheets to your React native components.

Final Verdict

These steps will guide you in creating a functional React Native environment on your machine, sail through the app development process effortlessly, and also, style your React Native components. Pick the right approach – React Native CLI or Expo – based on your project development requirements. In a nutshell, the React Native CLI provides you more control over the development process and allows customization, but involves a lengthy configuration and setup process. The Expo approach, on the other hand, offers ease-of usage and streamlines the development process, but doesn’t offer the control and flexibility you need for integrating complex app functionalities.
Do not forget to refer to the official documentation of React Native for more detailed and specific insights. It’s also important to partner with the right React Native mobile app development Company. Professional agencies involve experienced resources who can execute the developmental steps flawlessly and get the coding right.