React Native is Embracing Frameworks

React Native has made a clear shift in how it recommends building mobile apps—encouraging developers to embrace frameworks like Expo. This move isn’t just about improving productivity, it’s about simplifying app development and making it more scalable for the long run.

Let’s explore why React Native is advocating this change and why Expo is the standout choice.

Why the Push for Frameworks?

React Native has long been a flexible solution for building cross-platform mobile apps, but with flexibility comes complexity. As the ecosystem grows, so do the challenges of configuring environments, managing platform differences, and scaling applications.

Frameworks provide a structured, pre-configured environment that simplifies app development by addressing common challenges such as complex setups and platform-specific issues. They reduce the manual work of configuration, allowing developers to focus on building their apps.

Frameworks also ensure consistency across multiple platforms—iOS, Android, and web—by enabling developers to write code once and rely on the framework for cross-platform behavior. Additionally, they often come with integrated tools for debugging, testing, and optimizing, which streamlines the development process and helps maintain high-quality code.

Why Expo?

Expo is highlighted as a key framework for React Native, and for good reason. It offers a range of features designed to enhance development efficiency, such as:

• Managed Workflow: Expo’s managed workflow simplifies configuration and setup, allowing developers to focus on app features.
• Bare Workflow: Expo also does offer a bare workflow for more control over the native side of the app.
• Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Expo allows for OTA updates, enabling developers to push updates without app store delays.
• Publishing: Creating a build ready for the app store is a straightforward process with EAS.
• Expo SDK: Access a wide range of device features, such as the camera, with ease.

A major issue with Expo was the limited support from various libraries, which constrained its functionality. However, as React Native increasingly embraces frameworks like Expo, there is a strong push for improved library compatibility. This shift is expanding Expo’s support, enhancing its capabilities, and encouraging developers to adapt, leading to a more robust ecosystem.

Notificare and Expo

At Notificare, we keep up with the latest mobile development trends, and our React Native library supports Expo. With no need for native configuration, you can seamlessly integrate features like push notifications, loyalty programs, location services (including geofencing and BTLE beacons), NFC tag reading, in-app messages, and more!

Check our documentation to see just how easy it is!

As always, we are available via our Support Channel for any question you might have.