React Native 2024 development tools: React Native AI and more

‘Mobile is the glue for all other digital industries to use,’ says Tomi Ahonen. Mobile app development is an ever-growing and changing current, and React Native remains the most widespread cross-platform solution for it. Its popularity is easily explainable: it allows developers to reuse 90% of code between Android and iOS apps, saving immense time and costs.

In 2024, React Native developers must stay updated with the latest tools and techniques that enhance productivity and app quality. With our deep-rooted expertise in this technology, we decided to share a comprehensive guide of the most essential React Native development tools and recent updates we keep our eyes on. 

What’s new, and how can you make the most out of this solution? Dive into React Native tips and upgrades with us!

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New features and upgrades in React Native developer tools

Native mobile app development is experiencing a fresh wave of updates this year. No wonder: React Native 0.75 has introduced improvements that boost the framework's Android and iOS development capabilities. Also, Meta has announced a new version called Fabric, which will be a breakthrough for developers. While waiting for this big upgrade, let’s look at the essential features the latest update offers.

Beta architecture 

The new architecture, initially introduced in version 0.68, has reached beta status. This version offers perks you can use to create a more efficient code. It's designed for seamless integration with Expo SDK 51 and will become the standard later this year. 

This means improved performance for your teams and JavaScript-native communication to cover the gaps in your previous workloads. With this upgrade, businesses will save deployment time and ensure a faster native module integration.

Yoga 3.1

Another newbie here! This time, it’s the updated layout engine. You can gain better control over handling percentages for gaps and translations. This can be a game-changer for adapting to various screen sizes and orientations — don’t we all struggle with it when adjusting our solutions to a wider audience?

Shortly speaking, it means no need to make an effort to use placeholders or fill in the gaps manually. So, in the long run — a more precise code with less frequent debugging and less time spent on what’s distracting from creating efficient, user-friendly solutions.

Bug fixes

The release addresses several longstanding issues, including problems with adjustsFontSizeToFit on Android and text alignment inconsistencies across platforms. This way, developers minimize the use of React Native debugging tools when adjusting content across screens and device types. Again, tons of time saved!

What’s our conclusion on this? React Native's creators are committed to enhancing performance and developer experience. Looks like they are planning to keep their creation an attractive #1 option for native mobile app development.

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An overview of essential React Native development tools

The right set of development tools is every product’s starting point to succeed. However, choosing the right stack to fit your business needs is not easy. An experienced company specializing in native app development for Android and iOS can cover your need to create solutions specifically designed for your audience and budget. And we want to open the door to our inner kitchen.

Let’s take a closer look at essential React Native developer tools that our company uses, covering everything from IDEs to testing frameworks and AI-powered assistants. And, of course, we will provide you with the essential React Native Github sources where you can get them.

Code editors & IDEs for efficient React Native Apps

The best tools and IDEs for coding React Native apps are important to know if you need to safeguard your results. Let's look at our top picks that make development easier.

Visual Studio Code 

This tool doesn’t need a long introduction. Visual Studio Code is a code editor you’ve definitely heard of and most probably used. However, it works extremely well for React Native because you can add extra features, like:

• React Native tools: Provides debugging and IntelliSense for React Native projects.
• React-Native/React/Redux snippets: Offers code snippets for faster development.
• ESLint: Integrates ESLint JavaScript linting into VS Code.
• Prettier: Enables automatic code formatting, supporting many developing languages.
• React Native debugger: Integrates debugging tools directly into VS Code.
• GitLens: Enhances Git integration with blame annotations and code authorship.

These add-ons are treasures to find. They help you catch bugs, write code faster, and keep your work tidy. You'll spend less time fixing errors and more time building cool stuff. Plus, they make it a breeze to track changes as you go.

WebStorm

‍WebStorm is a robust IDE that is popular among developers working with JavaScript, React, and React Native. This tool from BrainJet is your personal React Native assistant. It anticipates your needs, catches your mistakes, and might even brew your coffee (okay, maybe not that last one). But seriously, check out these perks:

• Intelligent code completion for JavaScript, React, and React Native.
• On-the-fly error detection and quick fixes.
• Powerful navigation and refactoring tools.
• Built-in terminal for running React Native CLI commands.

WebStorm might save the day when you need an intuitive helper for your workflows. It secures a cleaner, more maintainable code and accelerates the development process within the React Native framework.

React Native Debugger

Ever wished you had X-ray vision for your React Native code? React Native Debugger comes pretty close. It is a versatile standalone application designed to enhance the debugging experience for React Native developers. This comprehensive platform provides such possibilities:

• React devtools integration allows a visual representation of the React component hierarchy, allowing developers to inspect component props, state, and context.
• Redux devtools integration enables developers to monitor and control Redux state changes, debug state management issues, and understand the data flow in applications.
• Chrome devtools integration provides functionality to inspect network requests, set breakpoints, step through code, and examine the call stack, making it easier to fix JavaScript-related problems.

These tools significantly enhance the coding experience, offering features like real-time error checking, code completion, and powerful debugging capabilities essential for both seasoned developers and those looking to hire React Native app developers and provide them with an essential toolkit for efficient work. But what should you consider when starting a new React Native project? A widespread question is to choose between two approaches.

React Native CLI vs. Expo

Almost every React Native developer faces this choice: React Native CLI or Expo. They offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, each catering to different needs and preferences. Let's peek under the hood of each.

For developers seeking granular control and flexibility over their project setup, the React Native CLI is the preferred choice. Think of this as the dev's playground. It's for those who like to get their hands dirty and customize every aspect of the project, from dependencies to native modules. Here are some of the React Native CLI benefits for native mobile app development:

• Offers more control and flexibility over the project setup.
• Ideal for custom native modules.
• Requires more setup and configuration, suitable for experienced developers.
• Provides direct access to native code for both Android and iOS.

However, the React Native CLI also comes with a learning curve. It requires more setup and configuration compared to Expo. This approach prioritizes rapid prototyping. It provides a pre-configured environment with pre-built components and APIs, simplifying the development process. Frankly speaking, Expo is like coding with training wheels:

• Provides a smoother development experience with pre-configured tools.
• Ideal for rapid prototyping and simpler applications.
• Offers a range of pre-built components and APIs.
• Limited access to native modules, but easier to get started for beginners.

Both approaches have their perks in native app development for Android and iOS. The choice between these two depends on project requirements, team expertise, and desired level of customization. As always, there's no one-size-fits-all.

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AI for React Native: What’s new and what works best

The world of mobile development is getting a serious upgrade, and AI is the secret sauce. Let's dive into how these smart tools are changing the way you interact with React Native apps.

React Native AI chatbots

Remember when chatbots were clunky and frustrating? Those days are long gone. Conversational AI transforms mobile app development by expanding React Native capabilities. With libraries like dabit3, your React Native app can now host sophisticated AI-powered conversations. You get:

1. Support for multiple LLM providers, including OpenAI ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, and Google's Gemini.
2. Real-time streaming responses from all supported providers.
3. Integration with OpenAI Assistants, including code interpreter capabilities.
4. Built-in theming options and image processing capabilities.

This powerful library empowers developers to create AI-enhanced mobile apps that offer personalized, context-aware interactions. By using React Native AI libraries to integrate these chatbots, apps engage users and handle complex queries with ease.

But chatbots are just the tip of the AI iceberg. Let's explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping other aspects of React Native development.

Workik: React Native AI shortcut

Automating the coding process is another area where AI is shining with abilities. The free Workik AI React Native Code Generator is a prime example of how machine learning in mobile development can boost productivity and streamline workflows. Some features include:

• Cross-platform app generation for iOS and Android.
• Conversion of UI/UX designs into functional React Native code.
• Seamless integration of third-party libraries and native modules.
• Automation of routine React Native tasks, boosting developer productivity.

So, if you need to optimize React Native development and put your consistency on autopilot in large-scale projects, this tool is invaluable. Why not try it on?

Voice AI integration with Alan AI platform

The principles and requirements of accessibility are now a must for modern, efficient apps. Your users might have a limited ability to type in commands and search requests. Here’s where voice interfaces are becoming increasingly important in mobile apps, and the Alan AI Platform is bringing advanced voice capabilities to React Native with its advanced features that help:

• Accurately interpret and respond to user voice commands.
• Enable users to navigate and interact with apps hands-free using voice alone.
• Create rich experiences that blend voice, touch, and visual interfaces seamlessly.
• Tailor voice interactions to specific app functionalities and user needs.

These AI libraries for React Native are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in mobile app development. With more intelligent and responsive user experiences, wouldn’t your solution be different in a very good way? We strongly believe so.

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React Native testing and code quality tools

Let's face it: bugs are the bane of every developer's existence. We've got a toolkit that'll make your React Native app shine brighter than a newly polished iPhone screen. Here are the tools COAX’s mobile app designers use to maximize our clients’ profit potential.

React Native code quality tools

Development teams are spending a costly effort on high code quality and comprehensive testing for React Native applications.  Here are some indispensable tools for maintaining code consistency and preventing errors.

ESLint

ESLint is a highly configurable JavaScript linter that helps identify and fix code style issues and potential errors. Its key benefits are:

• Customizable with various plugins specific to React Native development.
• Integrates seamlessly with popular IDEs and text editors.
• Supports custom rule sets for team-specific coding standards.
• Can automatically fix many common coding issues.

ESLint helps improve code quality, maintainability, and readability, ultimately leading to more efficient and reliable React Native iOS and Android apps.

Prettier

As the name says, this tool is making your code prettier. And so much more than that! Prettier is an opinionated code formatter for consistent code styling across the project. In terms of React Native debugging capabilities, it offers great benefits:

• Supports JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and more, making it ideal for React Native projects.
• Eliminates debates about code formatting in code reviews.
• Can be integrated with pre-commit hooks for automatic formatting.
• Improves readability and maintainability of codebase.

Prettier goes beyond simple code formatting. Its integration with pre-commit hooks ensures that code is automatically formatted before commits, further enhancing code quality and maintainability.

SonarQube

A cleaner, more reliable, and more secure code is a prime goal for every team. This is where SonarQube comes in handy. It is a comprehensive static code analysis platform that ensures the quality of software projects. SonarQube can identify potential issues. Here are the features of this powerful tool:

• Detects bugs, vulnerabilities, and code smells.
• Provides detailed code quality metrics and reports.
• Supports multiple programming languages, including JavaScript and TypeScript.
• Integrates with CI/CD pipelines for continuous code quality monitoring.

Moreover, if you need to constantly monitor important metrics like code coverage, complexity, and maintainability, SonarQube is your assistant that takes a load off your shoulders.

React Native automation testing tools

Automated testing is vital for maintaining app quality across different devices and platforms. Let’s see two of the newest and most popular automation tools for React Native that can significantly improve your pipelines and results.

Detox

Well, you can guess the perks by the name. Detox can detox your code using an end-to-end testing framework. What is even better, it’s specifically designed for React Native. It allows writing and running UI tests that simulate real user scenarios on both iOS and Android devices. Here are the key features of Detox:

• Allows writing and running UI tests that simulate real user scenarios.
• Supports both iOS and Android devices.
• Provides a gray box testing approach for more reliable tests.
• Integrates well with continuous integration systems.

Detox offers a comprehensive solution for testing React Native applications, providing a reliable and efficient way to ensure the quality and functionality of your UI.

Appium

Appium is an open-source tool for automating mobile app testing across platforms. It’s not only limited to React Native, but its versatility makes it a reliable choice for testing across different platforms:

• Supports native and hybrid apps, making it versatile for various React Native projects.
• Uses standard automation APIs on all platforms.
• Allows tests to be written in multiple programming languages.
• Extensive community support and regular updates.

The ability to write tests in multiple programming languages and the strong community support solidify Appium's position as a leading tool in mobile app testing.

React Native tools for advanced testing

Comprehensive testing is a crucial aspect of every component of native mobile app development. With the right testing arsenal at your fingertips, you can catch those issues before they even think about crashing your app. Let's discover more tools that'll make your testing process smooth and reliable.

Jest

First up, we've got Jest — a versatile JavaScript testing framework that integrates seamlessly with React Native. Here's why Jest is a must-have in your React Native toolkit:

• Provides a complete and easy-to-set-up testing solution. No more spending hours configuring your testing environment! 
• Offers snapshot testings. It's like having a personal photographer for your UI components.
• Includes powerful mocking capabilities. Need to make a mock API call? Easy with this tool!
• Supports parallel test execution for faster results. 

And there's more! Jest lets you create custom matchers, giving you the freedom to test exactly what you want and how you want. It's like having a tailored suit for your tests.

Enzyme

The second tool we recommend trying is Enzyme, another essential testing utility for React Native. It's got a user-friendly API that'll make you wonder how you ever tested without it. Here's what makes Enzyme special:

• Allows shallow rendering of components for isolated unit testing.
• Can simulate events and manipulate the component output.
• Provides intuitive API for traversing React component trees.
• Supports both React and React Native components.

A well-tested app is a happy app. So grab these tools and get ready to take your React Native testing to the next level. Believe it or not, but your future self (and your users) will thank you!

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React Native analytics and debugging tools

Have you ever wondered if your users are actually using that cool new feature you spent weeks perfecting? And if not, what is the issue? Well, we're about to dive into the exciting world of React Native debugging and analytics tools that'll make your developer life a whole lot easier! 

Efficient React Native debugging tools

Let's face it, debugging React Native applications is similar to finding a needle in a haystack, especially as projects grow in complexity. Fortunately, a variety of powerful debugging tools are available to assist developers in identifying and resolving issues efficiently. These tools streamline the debugging process and improve overall development productivity:

• Flipper: A desktop debugging platform with a plugin-based architecture. With its plugin-based architecture, you can inspect layouts, monitor network calls, and even get crash reports.
• React Native Debugger: A standalone app that combines React DevTools, Redux DevTools, and Chrome DevTools. It provides a comprehensive debugging environment for React Native applications. It's a one-stop-shop for all your debugging needs.
• Reactotron: This desktop app is like a backstage pass to your React Native app. Watch API calls in real-time, track performance, and even create custom plugins.

The variety and functionality of React Native debugging tools are constantly evolving, offering developers a growing array of options to enhance their development workflow.

Robust React Native analytics tools

Knowledge is power (and money). Now that you've squashed those bugs, it's time to understand your users better. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of analytics platforms with great features for user segmentation, event tracking, real-time reporting, and more:

• Firebase Analytics: This app measurement solution gives insight into app usage and user engagement. It offers features like user segmentation, event tracking, and real-time reporting.
• Amplitude: Offers advanced user analytics and behavioral tracking capabilities. It provides deep insights into user journeys, retention analysis, and predictive analytics.‍
• Mixpanel: A powerful analytics platform for tracking user actions and engagement. It offers features like funnel analysis, cohort analysis, and A/B testing capabilities.

These tools provide invaluable insights into app performance and user behavior, enabling data-driven improvements and informed decision-making in app development.

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Tools for improving developer productivity

Why reinvent the wheel when you can just borrow a well-oiled car? Let’s dive into some tools and libraries that can significantly boost productivity in React Native development. These tools and libraries will have you coding at the speed of light.

Third-party libraries for React Native app development

React Navigation, Redux, and NativeBase are indispensable tools for React Native developers seeking to build robust and scalable applications. These libraries provide essential functionalities for navigation, state management, and UI development, streamlining the development process and ensuring a consistent user experience.

• React Navigation: Lost in the maze of app screens? React Navigation is your GPS. It provides a straightforward way to implement navigation and routing in your application, supporting various navigation patterns.
• Redux: A predictable state container that eases application state management. It helps maintain a consistent state across your entire app, making it easier to debug and test.
• NativeBase: Why spend hours crafting the perfect button when NativeBase has already done it for you? It offers customizable components that follow platform-specific design guidelines.

So, whether you're building the next big social media app or a revolutionary business tool, remember: with these libraries, you can establish a solid foundation for a reliable, scalable product.

Belt CLI Tool

Starting a new project? Belt is like having a personal assistant who sets up everything for you. It’s an opinionated CLI tool for React Native developers to make the initial setup process a snap. Here’s what you have on the table:

• Expo for cross-platform development.
• TypeScript for static typing.
• Jest & React Native Testing Library for testing.
• MSW for API mocking.
• React Navigation with Bottom Tabs.
• Tanstack Query for REST APIs.

Belt significantly reduces the time spent on boilerplate code, allowing your developers to focus on building features rather than configuring the development environment. So start off easier and underline what matters more.

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How to use React Native tools effectively?

Partnering with a mobile app development company is an opportunity to get the best out of the abovementioned tools and techniques. Seasoned React Native developers ensure efficient coding and seamless user experience, while providing ongoing support and integrating advanced features. 

Our expertise in developing native apps for Android, iOS, and cross-platform apps, gives us the capability to find best-fit solutions and solve complex business problems. Don’t waste time – contact us to get a free estimate of your project.

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FAQ

How good is React Native?

React Native is considered a strong framework for mobile app development. It's used by many major companies including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Uber, and Walmart. React Native’s community amounts about 2,000 contributors on GitHub. 

How much does it cost to develop a mobile app with React Native?

React Native can potentially reduce development costs compared to native development because it reduces the need for separate iOS and Android codebases. The large community and ecosystem of React Native can also provide ready-made solutions for common features.

Is React Native still relevant in 2024?

Interest in React Native remains strong among developers and companies in 2024. Major companies continue to use and support React Native for their mobile applications, and Facebook (Meta) is actively working on improving and modernizing the framework.

What is the future of React Native?

The future of React Native looks promising, as a major update named Fabric is in progress, which will bring a new threading model for improved performance and a simplified bridge between native and JavaScript code. Meta and the community also plan to reach version 1.0 and beyond.