React Native is a framework that lets you build real mobile apps using JavaScript and React — and the best part? Those apps run on both iOS and Android with a single codebase.
Developed by Meta (formerly Facebook), React Native takes the philosophy of React (components, declarative UI, virtual DOM-ish updates) and brings it to the world of mobile. But unlike other “web inside a phone” solutions, React Native renders native components — meaning your app looks and feels like a real mobile app, because it is.
Let’s say you want to build an app for both Android and iPhone. Traditionally, you’d need to write two separate apps: one in Java/Kotlin and one in Swift/Objective-C. React Native lets you write most of your logic once, using JavaScript, and still produce native experiences — with access to phone features like the camera, geolocation, and gestures.
It’s used by companies like Instagram, Shopify, and Discord. You can also mix React Native with native code if needed — so it’s flexible for both MVPs and big, complex apps.
Curious? Dive into React Native’s official docs.
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