In this article, our app development expert, Mark Hansgate, discusses:

• The benefits of migrating to React Native
• Reasons to consider the move and when sticking with native might make sense
• Tips on how to minimise disruption during the migration process, ensuring a smoother transition for businesses considering React Native development

 

Mark Hansgate on the benefits of moving from native to React Native development

“In native app development, code is written differently for iOS and Android, resulting in two entirely separate codebases. For example, on Android, you might use Java or Kotlin (a modern alternative), while on iOS, you'd use Objective-C (the older language) or Swift, which is the more current language.

This separation can also extends to teams, who work in silos, each following their own methodologies. 

The idea behind React Native is to consolidate this process by allowing developers to write a single codebase in JavaScript or TypeScript (a superset of JavaScript). This not only means all your developers are using the same skills, but you can also bring in talent from the web team if they have experience with JavaScript or React, which makes resource management more flexible”

A unified codebase

“The biggest advantage of switching from native to React Native is the unified codebase. When changes need to be made to the app, instead of having separate teams implementing the same updates for iOS and Android, a single team can handle the change across both platforms. 

Testing is streamlined too, as you're working with one codebase rather than two, reducing the chances of inconsistent bugs across different versions.”

Are there any downsides to React Native?

“When iOS or Android release new features, native developers have immediate access to those libraries and can integrate them straight away. React Native, on the other hand, may require a bit of time for support to be added, either through community libraries or framework updates. So for apps that need to leverage cutting-edge features like AI or complex image processing, native development might still be the best route. But for most business apps, React Native is more than capable, offering flexibility without sacrificing quality.

In the past, one of the main disadvantages of React Native was performance. Native apps tended to run faster on phones, with immediate responses when clicking a button or scrolling. React Native, being built on JavaScript, introduced a slight lag due to the extra layers involved in processing commands. However, as phone processors have become significantly more powerful, this performance gap has closed. Now, both React Native and native apps offer a seamless user experience, and various optimisations have made React Native faster than ever.”

The Metaverse

“React Native is well-supported, with Meta (formerly Facebook) maintaining it, using it across its own products such as the Facebook app and Instagram. It’s open-source, which means anyone can contribute, and big players like Microsoft are also involved, alongside independent developers. This level of ongoing development and support means it’s not going anywhere soon, unlike other frameworks such as NativeScript, which has seen a decline.”

Is there a way to migrate from native to React Native with minimal disruption?

“Some companies get around a complete overhaul with a hybrid approach, gradually transitioning from native to React Native. For example, Meta has introduced React Native modules into Instagram without rewriting the entire app, which allows them to take advantage of React Native’s benefits without a full migration. Personally, I think this is an ideal solution for major apps with large user bases to make the transition.”

In brief

The benefits of migrating from native to React Native:

• Cross-platform development: React Native allows a single codebase for both iOS and Android, reducing development time and effort
• Larger developer community: Extensive community support, regular updates, and a wide range of third-party libraries simplify development and problem-solving
• Improved performance: Utilises native components, offering smoother performance and more responsive user interfaces
• Cost efficiency: Reduced need for platform-specific code lowers development and long-term maintenance costs
• Hot Reloading: Real-time preview of code changes speeds up debugging and development
• Scalability: Easier to find skilled React Native developers, enabling teams to scale more quickly
• Backed by Meta: Ensures long-term stability, support, and ongoing improvements

Reasons a business may choose to stick with native code:

• Performance optimisation: Native development may offer better performance for apps requiring complex animations, heavy graphics, or intensive processing
• Access to latest native features: Native development allows quicker access to new platform-specific features and APIs
• High migration cost: Migrating to React Native could involve significant costs, time, and resources, which may outweigh the benefits
• Specialised native expertise: Teams with deep expertise in native iOS or Android development might prefer to continue leveraging their existing skills
• Well-established codebase: A mature, stable native app that meets performance and user expectations may not justify the disruption of migration
• Tailored platform experiences: Native development allows for highly customised, platform-specific user interfaces and interactions

Migrating from native to React Native with minimal disruption:

1. Audit the existing app: Identify reusable business logic, APIs, and components to reduce redevelopment efforts
2. Create a prototype: Build a small feature in React Native to test integration with backend systems and ensure smooth functionality
3. Phased migration: Start with non-critical features, gradually replacing core components to maintain app stability during the transition
4. Run both versions concurrently: Allow the Native and React Native versions to coexist, avoiding disruption for users
5. Train the development team: Ensure developers are skilled in React Native to minimise productivity loss
6. Thorough testing: Test extensively at each migration stage to catch and fix any issues early
7. Communicate with stakeholders: Keep users and stakeholders informed about the transition to manage expectations

React Native offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency, flexibility, and ease of collaboration between teams, making it an attractive option for many modern app projects. While native development has its merits, especially for feature-rich, cutting-edge apps, React Native is increasingly the go-to choice for most business applications. 

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