How to start mobile app development with React Native effectively?

React Native is an open-source framework created by Meta Platforms that allows developers to build mobile applications for Android, iOS, Windows, and more using a single codebase. It combines the flexibility of JavaScript with the efficiency of native app performance, helping developers reduce development time while maintaining a consistent user experience across devices.

React Native brings the strength of React’s UI building to mobile app development, offering a fast, scalable, and maintainable solution. In this article from Groove Technology, we’ll show you how to approach mobile app development with React Native and compare it with asp net mobile app development through three approaches: mobile web app with ASP.NET MVC, progressive web app (PWA) with ASP.NET Core, and Xamarin cross-platform mobile app with C# and .NET.

Step 1: Setting up the development environment

Every React Native project starts with preparing the right tools, so we begin by installing Visual Studio Code, Git, and Node.js (LTS version). These tools allow us to write code, manage versions, and handle dependencies with npm. After installation, we open Visual Studio Code, use the terminal, and check that Node.js, npm, and Git all run properly before moving ahead.

Extra tools, such as React Native Tools and Expo Tools extensions in VS Code, make development smoother and debugging faster. We also recommend having a basic grasp of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to follow each step more comfortably.

In this guide, we use Expo to create, test, and deploy the app with ease for beginners. You can install Expo Go on your phone, scan the QR code from the terminal, and preview your app instantly as long as your computer and mobile device share the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Creating your project

Once the setup is complete, the next step is to create your React Native project using Expo. We start by opening Visual Studio Code and choosing an empty working folder. From the terminal, we type npx create-expo-app MyApp  and enter a project name. After we press Enter, Expo automatically creates a new folder containing all the starter files, configurations, and development dependencies.

The default Expo template provides everything required to get started smoothly, including tab navigation, the Expo Router for page routing, and ready-made settings for Android, iOS, and the web. It also includes TypeScript by default, though using JavaScript is simpler for beginners. Once Expo finishes installing, we open the new folder in VS Code to see the core structure, with folders for components, screens, and configurations, helping us get familiar with how the app is organized before we start building.

Step 3: Previewing the app

After the project finishes installing, the next step is to preview how it runs through Expo’s development server. We open Visual Studio Code, type cd YourAppName in the terminal, and make sure the directory path matches the name of our app. Then, we start the Expo server by typing npx expo start, which automatically generates a QR code in the terminal window.

This code allows us to open the project on different platforms:

• On your mobile device: Open the Expo Go app, tap Scan QR Code, and point your camera at the code shown in your terminal. Your React Native app will launch directly on your phone.
• In your web browser: Press W in the terminal to open the project in Chrome or another browser. The app will appear at a local address such as localhost:8081.

Expo may take a minute to build on the first run, but once the default React Native starter screen appears, your setup is ready for development.

Step 4: Customizing the main screen

After confirming the app runs smoothly, we can begin shaping its interface to match our idea. We open the project folder in Visual Studio Code and move to app → tabs → index, which holds the default content shown on the home screen. By clearing everything inside this file, we start fresh for our own design and content.

To make editing faster, we install the ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets extension from the VS Code Marketplace, which provides handy shortcuts for generating React Native components. We then use one of those snippets to create a basic functional component and replace the placeholder text with a title such as “Coffee Shop” or any name you choose.

If the Expo server is still active, pressing R in the terminal reloads the app instantly. Otherwise, restarting Expo will display your updated home screen showing the new custom title.

Step 5: Styling the interface

Once the app title appears, styling becomes the next focus. We open the same index file in VS Code and start building the visual layout using React Native’s built-in styling tools. A main container style helps the layout stretch across the entire screen, keeping everything neat and balanced.

A text style comes next, giving the title a larger size, bold weight, and center alignment to make it stand out clearly. We save the file and reload the app by pressing R in the terminal if Expo is still running. The device or browser preview now shows the name, like “Coffee Shop,” centered perfectly on the screen. If the text seems too close to the top or lacks contrast, we’ll refine the design in the following step.

Step 6: Adding a background image

A background image always makes the app look more alive, so this step focuses on adding one behind the title. We open the project in VS Code and navigate to the assets directory next to the app folder. Inside it, an images folder holds our visual files. We download a few sample graphics like coffee icon, coffee splash, iced coffee or whatever you want, then place them into that folder. Once the files are ready, we restart Expo from the terminal so the system can recognize the new images.

The next step is to return to the main screen file in the tabs folder and wrap the text component in an image container that fills the full width and height of the display. We save the file, reload the app, and see the new background appear behind the centered title. If the text appears too bright or blends into the image, we apply a soft, dark overlay to improve readability. The app now feels more complete, setting the base for future design details like splash screens or custom icons.

Step 7: Adding a splash screen

A splash screen adds personality to the app and gives users a polished first impression when it starts. We open the app.json file inside the project and scroll to find the splash section that defines the image, color, and layout behavior. The default Expo splash is plain white, so we replace it with our own graphic, for example, coffee-splash.png, which we already stored in the assets/images folder. The image path must match exactly to display correctly.

We continue by editing the background color and setting the resize mode to “cover” so the image fills the entire screen neatly. After saving the changes, we return to the terminal and press R to reload the project. The splash screen will not appear in the browser preview, so we open the app through Expo Go on a mobile device to see the result. The new screen now greets users with a branded and professional look before the main page appears.

Step 8: Adding a custom app icon

This final step is about giving your app a face of its own by adding a custom icon. We open the app.json file in VS Code, found in the main directory where the display settings are defined. Inside, the “icon” property usually links to a temporary image. We replace that with the path to our own icon, such as assets/images/coffee-icon.png, and double-check that the file name and folder are correct. Even a small error here can stop the icon from appearing.

Once everything is saved, we stop the Expo server in the terminal with Ctrl + C, then restart it. When the QR code shows up again, we scan it using Expo Go on the phone. The app now launches with the new icon sitting proudly beside its name. It’s a small but satisfying change, marking the completion of the setup and giving the project a polished, professional finish before release. If you want to follow along visually, you can watch the step-by-step tutorial here.

Why choose Groove Technology for mobile app development with React Native?

There are 9 key reasons why choosing Groove Technology for React Native mobile app development can bring long-term value and reliable performance to your business.

• Significant cost savings: Vietnam’s cost advantages help us offer more competitive rates than Western markets. Our clients only pay for delivered work, removing expenses for recruitment, infrastructure, and employee benefits.
• Access to skilled global talent: Our team of more than 230 engineers specializes in web and mobile development, IoT, AI, ERP, and CRM. Each developer is certified and continuously trained to keep skills sharp and aligned with global standards.
• Proven track record and reliability: We have successfully delivered over 120 projects while maintaining a 97% customer retention rate. Our experience across diverse industries enables us to meet complex requirements and maintain consistent project quality.
• Comprehensive service offering: Our full-cycle software development covers ideation, design, development, and ongoing support. We handle everything from custom software and progressive web apps to business intelligence and analytics.
• Efficient integration and flexible resource allocation: Our teams adapt smoothly to Agile, Scrum, or Kanban workflows, helping you maintain control over your processes. Resource allocation remains scalable, enabling adjustments to scope and efficient budget management.
• Quality assurance and security: Quality remains a top priority through rigorous testing and performance checks at every stage. Our ISO 27001 certification reflects strong data protection practices and reliable information security.
• Transparent communication and pricing: We maintain open communication with frequent progress updates and clear cost structures. Every project runs with upfront pricing, helping you plan budgets confidently without hidden charges.
• Round-the-clock productivity: With development teams working across time zones, productivity continues even after your local hours. This model helps projects move faster, shortening delivery cycles and speeding up releases.
• Customer-centric and long-term partnership approach: Our focus stays on building lasting partnerships rooted in satisfaction, flexibility, and trust. High customer retention proves our dedication to shared growth and consistent collaboration over time.

Frequently asked questions about mobile app development with React Native

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework from Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook Inc.) that enables developers to build mobile applications for iOS and Android using JavaScript and the React library. It combines native components with React’s structure, so we can create apps that look and perform like native ones while using a single shared codebase.

Is React Native still good in 2025?

React Native remains a strong, practical choice for mobile app development in 2025. It allows developers to build iOS and Android applications from a single shared codebase, reducing development time and costs. Companies around the world continue to use it, and demand for developers skilled in React Native and TypeScript remains consistently high.

Can you build a mobile app with React Native?

Yes, you can build a mobile app with React Native because it lets developers write code once and run it on both iOS and Android. React Native uses JavaScript, so web developers can easily apply their existing knowledge to create mobile applications faster and more efficiently. This framework connects JavaScript code to native components, making the apps feel and perform like those built with native technologies.

Is React Native enough for mobile app development?

Yes, React Native is enough for mobile app development because it uses native components that make the application perform smoothly and feel natural on both iOS and Android. The framework allows us to build cross-platform apps efficiently while keeping a consistent design and performance across devices. Developers can reuse most of the code, saving time and reducing costs without compromising quality.

The article explained how mobile app development with React Native works, covering each stage from setup to deployment, and answered common questions about its efficiency and usability. Every section provided clear, practical guidance to help readers decide whether React Native is the right choice for building cross-platform mobile apps efficiently.

Groove Technology, founded in 2016, is an Australian software outsourcing company that delivers high-performance development teams for clients across Australia, Asia, and Europe, with its main operations based in Vietnam. By working with us, you can access a reliable software development partner that combines technical skill, flexible processes, and consistent delivery quality to support your business growth.