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Getting Started with React Native

docs/en/framework/ui/react-native/index.md

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json
//[doc-seo]
{
    "Description": "Learn how to set up your development environment for React Native with ABP Framework, enabling seamless mobile app integration!"
}
json
//[doc-params]
{
  "Architecture": ["Monolith", "Tiered", "Microservice"]
}

Getting Started with React Native

The React Native mobile option is available for Team or higher licenses

The ABP platform provides a basic React Native startup template to develop mobile applications integrated with your ABP-based backends.

React Native gif

How to Prepare Development Environment

Please follow the steps below to prepare your development environment for React Native.

  1. Install Node.js: Visit the Node.js downloads page and download the appropriate Node.js v20.11+ installer for your operating system. Alternatively, you can install NVM to manage multiple versions of Node.js on your system.
  2. [Optional] Install Yarn: You can install Yarn v1 (not v2) by following the instructions on the installation page. Yarn v1 provides a better developer experience compared to npm v6 and below. You can skip this step and use npm, which is built into Node.js.
  3. [Optional] Install VS Code: VS Code is a free, open-source IDE that works seamlessly with TypeScript. While you can use any IDE, including Visual Studio or Rider, VS Code typically provides the best developer experience for React Native projects.
  4. [Optional] Install an Emulator/Simulator: If you want to test on Android emulators or iOS simulators (instead of using the Web View method), you'll need to install one of the following:
  • Android Studio & Emulator: Install Android Studio and set up an Android Virtual Device (AVD) through the AVD Manager. You can follow the Android Studio Emulator guide on expo.io documentation.
  • Xcode & iOS Simulator: On macOS, install Xcode from the App Store, which includes the iOS Simulator. You can follow the iOS Simulator guide on expo.io documentation.

Note: The Web View method (recommended for quick testing) doesn't require an emulator or simulator. If you prefer a CLI-based approach for Android, you can check the setting up android emulator without android studio guide as an alternative.

How to Start a New React Native Project

You have multiple options to initiate a new React Native project that works with ABP:

1. Using ABP Studio

ABP Studio is the most convenient and flexible way to create a React Native application based on the ABP framework. Follow the tool documentation and select the option below:

React Native option

2. Using ABP CLI

The ABP CLI is another way to create an ABP solution with a React Native application. Install the ABP CLI and run the following command in your terminal:

shell
abp new MyCompanyName.MyProjectName -csf -u <angular or mvc> -m react-native

For more options, visit the CLI manual.

This command creates a solution containing an Angular or MVC project (depending on your choice), a .NET Core project, and a React Native project.

Running the React Native Application

Recommended: For faster development and testing, we recommend using the Web View option first, as it requires fewer backend modifications. The backend configuration described in the next section is only needed if you want to test on Android emulators or iOS simulators.

Before running the React Native application, install the dependencies by running yarn install or npm install in the react-native directory.

Web View (Recommended - Quickest Method)

The quickest way to test the application is by using the web view. While testing on a physical device is also supported, we recommend using local HTTPS development as it requires fewer backend modifications.

Follow these steps to set up the web view:

  1. Navigate to the react-native directory and start the application by running:
bash
 yarn web
  1. Generate SSL certificates by running the following command in a separate directory:
bash
 mkcert localhost
  1. Set up the local proxy by running:
bash
 yarn create:local-proxy

The default port is 443. To use a different port, specify the SOURCE_PORT environment variable: 4. If you changed the port in the previous step, update the apiUrl in Environment.ts accordingly. 5. Update the mobile application settings in the database and re-run the migrations. If you specified a custom port, ensure the port is updated in the configuration as well:

json
 "OpenIddict": {
   "Applications": {
     "MyApplication_Mobile": {
       "ClientId": "MyApplication_Mobile",
       "RootUrl": "https://localhost"
     }
   }
 }

Running on Emulator/Simulator

If you prefer to test on an Android emulator or iOS simulator, you'll need to configure the backend as described in the section below. Follow these steps:

  1. Make sure the database migration is complete and the API is up and running.
  2. Open react-native folder and run yarn install or npm install if you have not already.
  3. Open the Environment.ts file in the react-native folder and replace the localhost address in the apiUrl and issuer properties with your local IP address as shown below:

{{ if Architecture == "Monolith" }}

react native monolith environment local IP

{{ else if Architecture == "Tiered" }}

react native tiered environment local IP

Make sure that issuer matches the running address of the .AuthServer project, apiUrl matches the running address of the .HttpApi.Host or .Web project.

{{ else }}

react native microservice environment local IP

Make sure that issuer matches the running address of the .AuthServer project, apiUrl matches the running address of the .AuthServer project.

{{ end }}

  1. Run yarn start or npm start. Wait for the Expo CLI to print the options.

The React Native application was generated with Expo. Expo is a set of tools built around React Native to help you quickly start an app, and it includes many features.

expo-cli-options

In the image above, you can start the application on an Android emulator, an iOS simulator, or a physical phone by scanning the QR code with the Expo Client or by choosing the corresponding option.

Expo

React Native login screen on iPhone 16

Android Studio

  1. Start the emulator in Android Studio before running the yarn start or npm start command.
  2. Press a to open in Android Studio.

React Native login screen on Android Device

Enter admin as the username and 1q2w3E as the password to log in to the application.

The application is up and running. You can continue to develop your application based on this startup template.

How to Configure & Run the Backend (Required for Emulator/Simulator Testing)

React Native application does not trust the auto-generated .NET HTTPS certificate. You should use HTTP during the development.

To disable the HTTPS-only settings of OpenIddict, open the {{ if Architecture == "Monolith" }}MyProjectNameHttpApiHostModule{{ else if Architecture == "Tiered" }}MyProjectNameAuthServerModule{{ end }} project and add the following code block to the PreConfigureServices method:

csharp
#if DEBUG
    PreConfigure<OpenIddictServerBuilder>(options =>
    {
        options.UseAspNetCore()
            .DisableTransportSecurityRequirement();
    });
#endif

Important: Before running the backend application, make sure you have completed the database migration if you are starting with a fresh database. The backend application requires the database to be properly initialized.

A React Native application running on an Android emulator or a physical phone cannot connect to the backend on localhost. To resolve this, you need to run the backend application using the Kestrel configuration.

{{ if Architecture == "Monolith" }}

React Native monolith host project configuration

  • Open the appsettings.json file in the .DbMigrator folder. Replace the localhost address in the RootUrl property with your local IP address. Then, run the database migrator.
  • Open the appsettings.Development.json file in the .HttpApi.Host folder. Add this configuration to accept global requests for testing the React Native application in the development environment.
    json
    {
  "Kestrel": {
    "Endpoints": {
      "Http": {
        "Url": "http://0.0.0.0:44323" //replace with your host port
      }
    }
  }
}

{{ else if Architecture == "Tiered" }}

React Native tiered project configuration

  • Open the appsettings.json file in the .DbMigrator folder. Replace the localhost address in the RootUrl property with your local IP address. Then, run the database migrator.
  • Open the appsettings.Development.json file in the .AuthServer folder. Add this configuration to accept global requests for testing the React Native application in the development environment.
    json
    {
  "Kestrel": {
    "Endpoints": {
      "Http": {
        "Url": "http://0.0.0.0:44337"
      }
    }
  }
}
  • Open the appsettings.Development.json file in the .HttpApi.Host folder. Add this configuration to accept global requests. Additionally, you need to configure the authentication server as mentioned above.
    json
    {
  "Kestrel": {
    "Endpoints": {
      "Http": {
        "Url": "http://0.0.0.0:44389" //replace with your host port
      }
    }
  },
  "AuthServer": {
    "Authority": "http://192.168.1.37:44337/", //replace with your IP and authentication port
    "MetaAddress": "http://192.168.1.37:44337/",
    "RequireHttpsMetadata": false,
    "Audience": "MyTieredProject" //replace with your application name
  }
}

{{ else if Architecture == "Microservice" }}

React Native microservice project configuration

  • Open the appsettings.Development.json file in the .AuthServer folder. Add this configuration to accept global requests for testing the React Native application in the development environment.
    json
    {
  "App": {
    "EnablePII": true
  },
  "Kestrel": {
    "Endpoints": {
      "Http": {
        "Url": "http://0.0.0.0:44319"
      }
    }
  }
}
  • Open the appsettings.Development.json file in the .AdministrationService folder. Add this configuration to accept global requests for testing the React Native application in the development environment. You should also provide the authentication server configuration. Additionally, you need to apply the same process for all services you will use in the React Native application.
    json
    {
  "App": {
    "EnablePII": true
  },
  "Kestrel": {
    "Endpoints": {
      "Http": {
        "Url": "http://0.0.0.0:44357"
      }
    }
  },
  "AuthServer": {
    "Authority": "http://192.168.1.36:44319/",
    "MetaAddress": "http://192.168.1.36:44319/",
    "RequireHttpsMetadata": false,
    "Audience": "AdministrationService"
  }
}
  • Update the appsettings.json file in the .IdentityService folder. Replace the localhost configuration with your local IP address for the React Native application.
    json
    {
  //...
  "OpenIddict": {
    "Applications": {
      //...
      "ReactNative": {
        "RootUrl": "exp://192.168.1.36:19000"
      },
      "MobileGateway": {
        "RootUrl": "http://192.168.1.36:44347/"
      }
      //...
    }
    //...
  }
}
  • Finally, update the mobile gateway configurations as follows:
    json
    //gateways/mobile/MyMicroserviceProject.MobileGateway/Properties/launchSettings.json
{
  "iisSettings": {
    "windowsAuthentication": false,
    "anonymousAuthentication": true,
    "iisExpress": {
      "applicationUrl": "http://192.168.1.36:44347" //update with your IP address
    }
  },
  "profiles": {
    //...
    "MyMicroserviceProject.MobileGateway": {
      "commandName": "Project",
      "dotnetRunMessages": "true",
      "launchBrowser": true,
      "applicationUrl": "http://192.168.1.36:44347",
      "environmentVariables": {
        "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
      }
    }
  }
}
    json
    //gateways/mobile/MyMicroserviceProject.MobileGateway/appsettings.json
{
  //Update clusters with your IP address
  //...
  "ReverseProxy": {
    //...
    "Clusters": {
      "AuthServer": {
        "Destinations": {
          "AuthServer": {
            "Address": "http://192.168.1.36:44319/"
          }
        }
      },
      "Administration": {
        "Destinations": {
          "Administration": {
            "Address": "http://192.168.1.36:44357/"
          }
        }
      },
      "Saas": {
        "Destinations": {
          "Saas": {
            "Address": "http://192.168.1.36:44330/"
          }
        }
      },
      "Identity": {
        "Destinations": {
          "Identity": {
            "Address": "http://192.168.1.36:44397/"
          }
        }
      },
      "Language": {
        "Destinations": {
          "Identity": {
            "Address": "http://192.168.1.36:44310/"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
    {{ end }}

Run the backend application(s) as described in the getting started document.