What Is React Native?

React Native is a JavaScript library for building mobile apps that run natively on both iOS and Android. Initially developed by the Facebook engineering team, React Native enables software developers to use JavaScript and native components to build mobile applications that resemble native apps, without requiring separate code for each platform.

React Native is not web development. It doesn’t render web views or rely on HTML and CSS. Instead, it uses native UI components and communicates with native APIs through a bridge written in native code. This makes React Native applications faster and more responsive than hybrid alternatives.

Why React Native Is Popular for Mobile App Development

React Native has become a go-to tool for software engineers looking to build mobile apps quickly and cost-effectively. By enabling code reuse between iOS and Android, it reduces both development time and cost, two major considerations in any mobile application development plan.

Here are a few reasons why companies are investing in React Native development:

• Shared codebase: Up to 90% of the code can be shared between iOS and Android.
• Native UI elements: React Native delivers smooth, native-level user interfaces.
• Strong developer tools: Includes fast refresh, intelligent debugging tools, and meaningful error messages.
• Active developer community: Extensive resources, libraries, and support.

How React Native Works

React Native works by using JavaScript to control native components via a bridge. When a React Native app runs, it creates threads for the JavaScript code and the native code. The two threads communicate through the bridge, which passes messages back and forth to build and update the UI in real-time. This is how React Native apps maintain performance without relying on web technologies.

Digging Deeper: The React Native Architecture

React Native has a unique approach to handling mobile development, blending JavaScript with native code. The key innovation is the “bridge,” a layer that facilitates communication between the JavaScript thread and the native thread.

Here’s a breakdown of how it all connects:

• The JavaScript thread handles your app’s logic, UI declarations, and event handling.
• The native thread manages rendering native UI components and handling device-specific features.
• The bridge acts as a translator, packaging data and commands into messages that get passed between the two threads asynchronously.

This architecture enables React Native to utilize the same React components and JavaScript logic to manipulate native UI elements, such as buttons, lists, and animations, on both iOS and Android. And because the bridge is asynchronous, React Native can perform well even under heavy UI interactions.

React vs. React Native

React and React Native share the same core principles but serve very different purposes.

React (also known as ReactJS) is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces on the web. It uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create interactive web apps. React Native, on the other hand, is used to build mobile apps that run on iOS and Android. Instead of rendering HTML elements, React Native renders native UI components.

Here’s a simple way to look at it:

• React is for building web applications.
• React Native is for building mobile applications.

While both utilize a component-based architecture and JSX (a syntax extension for writing UI), the components themselves differ. A <div> in React might become a <View> in React Native. If you’re already familiar with React, learning React Native is straightforward, but the development environments and final outputs are fundamentally different.

Benefits of React Native

Choosing React Native brings specific advantages, especially for teams focused on speed, scalability, and budget:

• Faster development: Shared logic means you write once and deploy to both iOS and Android.
• Lower costs: A single codebase can support multiple platforms, reducing resource needs.
• Rapid iteration: The fast refresh feature allows developers to see changes instantly.
• Real native performance: Applications rely on native components, not web views.
• Reusable components: Teams can maintain a single UI system across mobile platforms.
• Smooth onboarding: JavaScript developers can transition into React Native without a steep learning curve.

This combination of flexibility, speed, and maintainability makes React Native a compelling option for teams looking to scale mobile development efficiently.

Cross-Platform Application Development Made Practical

React Native is a cross-platform development framework. This means you can build mobile apps that perform well on both Android and iOS with the same code. Unlike traditional native development, which requires separate teams and toolchains, React Native lets you create mobile apps with one team using familiar tools.

For businesses, this means faster launch cycles, easier maintenance, and better alignment between platforms.

Use Cases for React Native

React Native is trusted by startups and enterprise companies alike. Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Walmart have all utilized React Native to develop their mobile applications. Whether you’re looking to build mobile apps from scratch or add features to existing native applications, React Native can be a flexible solution.

When to Choose React Native

React Native is ideal when:

• You want to build apps for both iOS and Android with a shared codebase.
• Your app doesn’t need complex native UI elements or low-level hardware access.
• You need to move fast and reduce development costs.
• Your development team is already familiar with JavaScript.

However, for apps that require high-performance animations, advanced device integrations, or heavily customized user interfaces, native development may still be the better option.

React Native and Mobile Platforms

React Native enables developers to create mobile applications that look and behave like they were built natively for iOS and Android. It offers native UI components, fast rendering, and access to native APIs. And because it was built with cross-platform mobile applications in mind, it also supports platform-specific versions where needed.

Getting Started with React Native

Learning React Native is accessible for developers with web experience. Because it’s built on React, a popular JavaScript library, many developers already understand its component-based structure. The development environment supports familiar tools, like VS Code and Android Studio, making it easier to onboard new developers.

To create mobile apps using React Native, you’ll work with JavaScript and JSX, which is a syntax extension that lets you write UI code using familiar markup. This code gets compiled into native code for the target platform.

How NorthBuilt Can Help

React Native gives you the tools to build powerful apps, but the right partner makes all the difference.

At NorthBuilt, we specialize in helping companies across the Midwest develop and maintain mobile applications using technologies like React Native. Whether you’re starting a new project or need support maintaining or upgrading an existing app, we bring hands-on experience with mobile platforms, native development, and cross-platform strategies.

Here’s what working with NorthBuilt means:

• A local team that knows your business goals
• Experts in both mobile and web development
• Scalable support, whether you’re launching or iterating
• Ongoing partnership for performance, security, and user experience

We don’t just build apps. We help you build mobile systems that work for the long haul.

Conclusion: Is React Native Right for You?

React Native goes beyond being a framework. It’s a strategy. It helps software developers and product teams build mobile applications that work on multiple platforms with speed and efficiency.

If you’re looking to build mobile apps with native performance and a streamlined development workflow, React Native is worth exploring. Whether you’re building your first app or managing a portfolio of cross-platform software, this framework supports high-quality, maintainable solutions that won’t stretch your team thin.