A Comprehensive Guide to Migrating your apps to the Latest React Native Version

Takeaways from migrating a couple of React native apps to the latest versions

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A Comprehensive Guide to Migrating your apps to the Latest React Native Version

React Native, a powerful framework for building cross-platform mobile applications continues to evolve rapidly, introducing new features, bug fixes, and performance enhancements with each new version. Staying up to date with the latest version of React Native is essential to ensure your app benefits from these improvements. However, upgrading or migrating to a new version can be a daunting task, especially if you're dealing with a large codebase or heavily relying on third-party libraries. In this blog post, I'll walk you through the best practices of upgrading an app to the latest version of React Native, helping you make a smooth transition while minimizing potential issues. My team at Bytsolv has been working on multiple migrations lately and every app came with its own challenges, so documenting them would be beneficial for the community and even future us.

Assessing Your Current State

Before initiating the upgrade process, it's crucial to assess your current project. Identify the version of React Native you're currently using and research the features and improvements introduced in subsequent versions. This will help you understand the benefits and potential challenges you might encounter during the upgrade, and evaluate if the upgrade is worth the effort.

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Tip: Utilize the React Native Upgrade Helper to simplify the upgrade process and easily identify the changes between versions, ensuring a smoother transition for your project.

Planning and Preparation

Review the release notes: Thoroughly examine the release notes for the versions between your current version and the latest release to understand the changes and potential impacts on your codebase.

Update dependencies: Check if third-party libraries and dependencies are compatible with the new React Native version and update them to their latest versions for compatibility and improvements.

Backup your project: Create a backup of your project to protect against any unforeseen issues during the upgrade process. For instance, create a backup branch in git and store your current version of the app there, and start working on the upgrades in a new branch.

Prepare a test plan: Develop a comprehensive test plan to ensure all features and scenarios are thoroughly tested, covering different devices, operating systems, and screen sizes.

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If your app is in continuous development, It is recommended to stop further developments while performing the migrations. It won't be possible for all the teams, so in that case, have a plan to track and sync the migration and developments side by side.

The Touchpoints

  1. Core Native Code and Third-Party Libraries: Update native modules, Java/Kotlin (for Android), Objective-C/Swift (for iOS), and third-party libraries to ensure compatibility with the upgraded React Native version.

  2. JavaScript APIs, Syntax, and UI Components: Adjust JavaScript APIs, syntax, and UI components to comply with the new version's standards and incorporate any changes introduced in the upgraded React Native version.

  3. React Native CLI and Tooling, Package Managers: Review and update the React Native CLI, associated tooling, and package managers (e.g., npm, Yarn) to maintain compatibility with the new version.

  4. Platform-Specific Code and Device Compatibility: Adapt platform-specific code blocks and thoroughly test the app on various devices and operating system versions to identify and resolve compatibility issues.

  5. App State Management and Performance Optimization: Verify compatibility of the state management solution (e.g., Redux, MobX) and leverage performance optimizations introduced in the upgraded React Native version to enhance app performance.

Start Small, Go Incremental

Starting with a small module and using an incremental approach can significantly simplify the upgrade process. Here are more ideas on how to implement this approach effectively:

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If possible create a checklist for all the modules available in the project and go by checking them one by one while upgrading. It'll be helpful to keep track and not miss any modules.
  1. Start Small and Isolated: Begin by selecting a specific module or feature within your app to upgrade first. Create a dedicated branch for the upgrade process.

  2. Update Dependencies: Start by updating relevant dependencies and third-party libraries used in the selected module.

  3. Upgrade React Native Incrementally: Gradually upgrade the React Native version in the isolated branch, ensuring compatibility with the new version.

  4. Test and Validate: Thoroughly test the upgraded module to identify and fix any issues. Perform comprehensive testing on various devices and platforms.

  5. Review, Refactor, and Optimize: Take the opportunity to review the code, refactor as needed, and implement any performance optimizations.

  6. Merge Changes Incrementally: After successful testing, merge the upgraded module back into the main codebase.

  7. Repeat for Other Modules: Continue this incremental upgrade approach with other isolated modules or features, one at a time.

Handling Compatibility Issues & Breaking Changes

React Native upgrades often come with compatibility issues and breaking changes that can impact your app's functionality. Some issues I've faced during the upgrades and the solutions I implemented are documented below:

  1. Deprecation and Removal of APIs: Address changes to existing APIs that are deprecated or removed in the upgraded React Native version.

  2. Third-Party Library Compatibility: Check compatibility with third-party libraries and update them to work with the new React Native version.

  3. Native Modules and Dependencies: Update custom native modules and dependencies to ensure compatibility with the upgraded React Native version.

  4. Behavioral Changes in Components: Adjust components and modules affected by changes in behavior or props.

  5. File Structure and Naming: Accommodate any changes to the folder structure or file naming conventions introduced in the new version.

  6. Animation and Interaction Modifications: Handle modifications in animations, gestures, and keyboard interactions due to the React Native upgrade.

Community Collaboration

Engaging with the community is really essential for all kinds of developers. Community forums, repositories, and blogs offer valuable guidance, solutions, and collective knowledge to overcome compatibility challenges and breaking changes effectively. By actively participating in discussions and accessing official documentation, developers stay informed about best practices, ensuring smoother upgrade journeys.

Giving back to the community is equally vital. Sharing upgrade experiences, writing blogs, and contributing to discussions strengthens the community and enables others to navigate upgrades more successfully. The culture of mutual support and continuous improvement empowers developers to optimize their workflows while enhancing the growth and success of the entire React Native community.

Concluding...

Commencing a React Native version upgrade requires meticulous assessment and thoughtful planning. Through careful evaluation of your app's current state and strategic preparation, you lay a solid foundation for a successful upgrade process. As you progress, identifying touchpoints like core native code, third-party libraries, and custom modules becomes pivotal. Incremental adaptation minimizes compatibility issues and breaking changes, ensuring a smoother transition.

Handling compatibility challenges and breaking changes demands a strategic approach. Keeping a keen eye on deprecated APIs, ensuring third-party library compatibility, and updating custom native modules are essential steps to ensure a seamless transition. Throughout the upgrade journey, the React Native community becomes a valuable asset. Engaging with forums, repositories, and webinars offers access to collective knowledge and shared expertise while contributing back empowers the community and fostering a supportive ecosystem.

By staying updated, developers position their apps for future growth and security in a rapidly evolving mobile landscape. In conclusion, as you set forth on your React Native upgrade journey, assess, strategize, collaborate, and embrace the advantages of the latest version. This approach paves the way for a smoother, more rewarding upgrade experience, leading to a more powerful, innovative, and successful mobile application.

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If you have a React native app that needs to be upgraded or you are stuck while you are trying to upgrade, feel free to get in touch with the Bytsolv team.

References and Acknowledgements