It is important to understand as a developer how to transfer data from a React Native application to other applications. After all, it is how third-party integrations will receive any information through the React Native app.
React Native linking allows the developer to perform such an action on both iOS and Android Platforms. This is just one of the many things that linking in React Native permits the user to do.
There are quite a few more advantages, linking can contribute. We will try to decipher these benefits later on in this article.
Let us first understand the importance of React Native Linking and its impact on iOS and Android platforms.
Importance of Linking Libraries for Cross-Platform Development
Libraries are nothing but existing code snippets and modules that help developers in various projects. They can be used across multiple projects and streamline and enhance the app development process.
Designing the structure and code for a cross-platform app is done easily on React Native.
However, you need to link libraries to add the platform-specific features on which the app is used.
So for the most part React Native might do the job but the niche functionalities and features of the platform can only be accessed through native app development.
Linking Libraries helps the React Native bridge for both iOS and Android languages and leveraging the features of each platform.
Without linking them, the app would lose features like third-party SDK integration, device sensors, or platform-specific UI components
Understanding Linking in React Native
Before we can implement React Native, let us understand the roots of React Native and how linking sits with it.
As mentioned above, React Native linking helps in linking libraries with the app on the specific platform and allows native components to be integrated into the program as well.
However, there is much more to the story than just this. A few other actions that React Native is capable of doing are:
- Open other apps from your React Native app.
- Sharing content with other apps.
- Receiving data from other apps.
- Maintaining deep links in the React Native app.
See, the framework is a Jack of all trades! It can do more than just be a bridge connecting third-party apps with the React Native app.
Now that we understand what React Native is and can do, let us understand how it integrates with iOS and Android.
iOS Linking Mechanism
If you were ever transferred to another screen without manually going through the app browser by clicking on the link, you too have been a victim of universal linking in the iOS.
Users are redirected to the specific website after clicking on the link in the mobile app without going through the main screen.
Some other examples include opening a promotional link from a brand to redirect to a product page, sharing the YouTube/Amazon link with a friend, etc.
In such cases universal linking steps up to the action where web linking is unable to with native mobile apps.
Android Linking Mechanism
Universal Linking is termed Deep Linking when it comes to Android. With no stark difference to iOS, linking in Android is solely used for app user retention, marketing campaigns, and other things.
Installing an app of a shop and clicking on a link given would take you to the product’s screen where you can navigate it.
For the ones curious about how it works- Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) or Custom URLs connect the web apps with the actions in the app.
Adding deep linking in the apps enhances the user experience by facilitating easy access to desirable content, increasing engagement, and endorsing smooth transitions between native and web app environments.
Creating a Development Environment
Speaking of platforms, are the processes any different in building an app for iOS as it is from an Android? Let us understand how different these approaches are:
For iOS
React Native apps come in all forms and shapes. They can be built with multiple approaches. Building an app in the iOS platform through the React Native framework can be done efficiently.
All you have to do is follow the React Native CLI approach and you will be set on the path of creating a well-functioning app.
Dependencies
- React Native CLI- React Native CLI is a type of dependency that is one of the many approaches to start building an app in iOS. It provides high flexibility and control in setting up your project and its configuration.
- Cocoapods- If you have Xcode pre-installed you can run the project on Xcode Command Line Tools and dependency manager Cocoapods.This dependency manages the app’s library as your projects are saved in a Podfile which is a text file.
For Android
Similar to iOS, there is not a single way to build an Android app from React Native. There are various ways of getting there.
One of the best environments to build an Android app using the React Native framework is through Android Studio.
Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development. It provides multiple features that enhance the developers’ productivity. Some of these features include:
- A feature-rich app emulator that helps in testing different apps.
- It provides a wide range of testing tools.
- It has a flexible gradle-based build system.
- It supports C++ and NDK.
- It can implement changes in the resource code of the app without restarting the app.
Linking Libraries for iOS
A major credit for linking libraries goes to the native modules involved in React Native.
What might these native modules be, you ask?
These native modules allow your React Native app to communicate with the native environment of the device.
It is a set of code written in the native language of the platform like Objective-C and Swift for iOS. They are used when the required functionality is not available in React APIs or libraries.
Using React Native Link For iOS
There are two different ways in which you can link libraries on React Native for iOS, Manual Linking and automatic linking with Cocoapods.
- Manual Linking- As the name suggests, you can manually configure your iOS project to add the required libraries into the app. You need to follow the guidelines of the library’s documentation to add the files and configurations to your Xcode project.
- Automatic Linking with Cocoapods- This dependency facilitates the integration of third-party libraries. With React Native, you can skip the manual steps and automatically link your Cocoapods libraries to your Xcode project.
Linking Libraries for Android
Certainly not much different from iOS, Android goes through a similar rite of passage as native module integration done in iOS.
It means you can achieve similar behavior on different platforms by switching things up a little.
In iOS you can call the native module without a parameter while Android demands adding a parameter to the module. It’s that simple!
The two different approaches you can use in calling native module for Android in React Native are:
- Manual Configuration- Similar to iOS, you can freely adjust your Android project according to the required libraries. The library documentation will guide you to add the necessary files and configurations to your Android project just like in iOS.
- Automatic Linking with Gradle- Gradle is a build automation tool for Android projects. Implementing the Gradle dependencies into your project remains the same as Cocoapods in iOS. It facilitates automatic linking of the library and reduces manually linking them into the project.
Handling Platform-Specific Code
The thought of writing and managing code for two separate platforms can be overwhelming at first, but doing it is much simpler.
If you can understand and identify the differences between the two platforms, you are set to deliver a successful product.
Since both iOS and Android are separate platforms, they will require separate lines of code.
To execute the command successfully, you need to execute the code based on the specific APIs, design patterns, and frameworks.
iOS requires features like push notifications, in-app purchases, and Apple Pay to be implemented. Android needs feature implementation like Google Maps integration, Firebase Analytics, or Google Sign-In.
Utilizing Platform Modules for Better Functionality
You can improve the overall performance of your app with the help of native modules.
This is because some operations and computations are better handled through native code due to low optimization levels and direct device resource access.
Troubleshooting and Debugging
Getting to know the enemy is always better than not knowing it. This is why below are a few common issues mentioned that can help the developer take precautionary measures to avoid them.
Troubleshooting and debugging come in as a developer’s guardian angel that protects their code from malfunctioning due to bugs and issues.
Common Linking Issues
- Import error- This error occurs when default and named imports get mixed up. It implies that the error is caused by a component that is imported into the app. Due to the mixing of imports, we are unable to tell which imports were imported improperly.
- Auto Linking error- Using an old React Native library and expecting to not get an auto linking issue is sort of asinine. The old library might not support the auto-linking feature which is why make sure to use an updated version of it.
- Unrecognized Font Family Error- Such an error occurs when you try to add a custom font to a React Native project.
Debugging Linking Failures
Component Lifecycle Errors are issues that occur during the lifecycle of the React Native components.
Using React Native debugging tools like the React Developer Tools extension for Chrome for debugging purposes can help you solve Component Lifecycle errors.
These tools help in offering insights into the lifecycle events and the component’s state which in return, facilitates troubleshooting React Native errors.
Best Strategies for React Native Linking
Since linking is part and parcel of an app’s success through the development phases, only the best practices must be in motion to make the linking process go smoothly. Some of these strategies include:
Updating Dependencies
- Make sure to use version control all the time.
- Keep your code committed and make sure no changes are made to it.
- Develop a feature branch for the integration and see if it works.
- Examine your code thoroughly for any stability and integration issues.
- Conduct the changes and connect the feature branch.
Verify Compatibility with React Native Versions
While working on an app through React Native, it is important to verify its compatibility with different React Native versions. Below are a few common approaches to checking the React Native version compatibility:
- Using info option
- Checking package.json file
- Using the CLI
Conclusion
It can be a superpower to understand how linking in React Native works. With the right resources and knowledge, issues regarding linking can be resolved in an instant.
This article provides a budding developer with the opportunity to seize that superpower. Since linking in React Native is quite important, the information given above will be no less than a super pill!
Make sure you utilize this power to develop your app in the best way possible and find other information and knowledge as a learning developer.
React Native can deliver you an app with much convenience and ease if you understand how and when to use it right. So make sure that you build a successful app using the right linking strategies for both iOS and Android.
Frequently Asked Question
1. Why is React Native Linkage important for Android and iOS?
You can integrate libraries and modules for both Android and iOS platforms. It also helps in leveraging platform-specific functionalities, improving the app’s capabilities, and having a consistent user experience across multiple devices.
2. How to handle platforms-specific code in React Native?
Make sure to identify platform differences, use platform modules for enhanced functionality, and write platform-specific code blocks. This is how easy it is to tackle platform-specific code in React Native.
3. Can third-party libraries be integrated with React Native linkage?
Yes, React Native permits third-party libraries to improve the app’s functionality. However, the right React Native version to be compatible and follow documentation guidelines for accurate integration.
4. What are a few issues encountered while React Native linking?
Some of the React Native linkage issues include:
- Dependency conflicts
- Compatibility issues with React Native versions
- Gradle or Cocoapods integration errors.
Some debugging testing tools and testing on real devices can help in the elimination of issues in these devices.
