Step-by-Step Process To Build A React Native Chat App

Chat apps are this gen's powerhouse of communication that drives users to it, thereby boosting the app's retention rates and bringing in revenue largely. But to build one, especially a chat software from the React Native framework, is a tedious task with a series of complex challenges that revolve around security, scalability, responsiveness, compatibility, and more.

And that is why many businesses try using third-party providers' React Native chat SDKs to simplify the build process and easily add unique requirements. But if you are developing it in-house, this post is for you.

Therefore, in this article, learn how to easily build a react native chat app for business to help you deliver a seamless and real-time chat experience for users. And trust me, this guide will help both newbie developers who are just stepping into React Native or seasoned developers who are surfing through the tech stacks and libraries for their app development process.

So, shall we get started and bring your app to life with the true power of React Native?

What is the React Native Chat app?

A react native chat app is a mobile application that is built using the React Native framework, so that users can exchange messages in real-time. Plus, this react native framework is mainly used to develop native apps with the help of JavaScript and React.

Tech Stack and Libraries

Find here the list of libraries and tech stack that will help you build a real-time chat app. These include a combination of both front-end and back-end tools like:

1. React Native - Major framework for building chat app
2. Redux - Mainly for state management
3. Firebase - For looking out real-time database and authentication process
4. Expo - To set up the app and build it easily
5. Gifted Chat - A library used to build chat UIs

Step-by-Step Guide to Build a React Native Chat App

Follow these steps to build an intuitive chat application without any hassles too:

1. Setting up a development environment
Your first step is to see whether you have installed the required tools like Node.js, Expo CLI, and Firebase account before you start coding.

2. Initializing the react native project
In order to create a react native project, you need to use Expo CLI using the code - expo initi chat app, cd chat app, expo start.

3. Setting up Firebase
Your first step here is to run the npm install firebase code to install Firebase SDK and then create a firebase.js file and the below Firebase configuration code to it.

4. Creating authentication screens
You need to set up both sign up and log in screens using the below code. Try this code for sign up screen.js:

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { View, TextInput, Button } from 'react-native';
import { useDispatch } from 'react-redux';
import { auth } from './firebase';

const SignUpScreen = ({ navigation }) => {
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');

  const handleSignUp = () => {
    auth.createUserWithEmailAndPassword(email, password)
      .then(userCredentials => {
        const user = userCredentials.user;
        dispatch({ type: 'SET_USER', payload: user });
        console.log('Registered with:', user.email);
      })
      .catch(error => alert(error.message));
  };

  return (
    <View>
      <TextInput placeholder="Email" value={email} onChangeText={setEmail} />
      <TextInput placeholder="Password" value={password} onChangeText={setPassword} secureTextEntry />
      <Button title="Sign Up" onPress={handleSignUp} />
      <Button title="Already have an account? Login" onPress={() => navigation.navigate('Login')} />
    </View>
  );
};

export default SignUpScreen;

**Code for login screen.js:

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { View, TextInput, Button } from 'react-native';
import { useDispatch } from 'react-redux';
import { auth } from './firebase';

const LoginScreen = ({ navigation }) => {
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');

  const handleLogin = () => {
    auth.signInWithEmailAndPassword(email, password)
      .then(userCredentials => {
        const user = userCredentials.user;
        dispatch({ type: 'SET_USER', payload: user });
        console.log('Logged in with:', user.email);
      })
      .catch(error => alert(error.message));
  };

  return (
    <View>
      <TextInput placeholder="Email" value={email} onChangeText={setEmail} />
      <TextInput placeholder="Password" value={password} onChangeText={setPassword} secureTextEntry />
      <Button title="Login" onPress={handleLogin} />
      <Button title="Don't have an account? Sign Up" onPress={() => navigation.navigate('SignUp')} />
    </View>
  );
};

export default LoginScreen;

5. Setting up navigation
Your next step is to install react navigation libraries using npm install react navigation library and expo install react native gesture handler. Your basic navigation structure should be like:

// App.js
import React from 'react';
import { NavigationContainer } from '@react-navigation/native';
import { createStackNavigator } from '@react-navigation/stack';

import LoginScreen from './LoginScreen';
import SignUpScreen from './SignUpScreen';
import ChatScreen from './ChatScreen';

const Stack = createStackNavigator();

export default function App() {
  return (
    <NavigationContainer>
      <Stack.Navigator initialRouteName="Login">
        <Stack.Screen name="Login" component={LoginScreen} />
        <Stack.Screen name="SignUp" component={SignUpScreen} />
        <Stack.Screen name="Chat" component={ChatScreen} />
      </Stack.Navigator>
    </NavigationContainer>
  );
}

6. Creating chat UI
Before creating the chat screen component you need to install the gifted chat library using the code - npm install react-native-gifted-chat and then write the component.

// screens/ChatScreen.js
import React, { useState, useCallback, useEffect } from 'react';
import { GiftedChat } from 'react-native-gifted-chat';
import { db, auth } from './firebase';

const ChatScreen = () => {
  const [messages, setMessages] = useState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    const unsubscribe = db.collection('chats').orderBy('createdAt', 'desc').onSnapshot(snapshot => {
      setMessages(snapshot.docs.map(doc => ({
        _id: doc.data()._id,
        text: doc.data().text,
        createdAt: doc.data().createdAt.toDate(),
        user: doc.data().user
      })));
    });

    return unsubscribe;
  }, []);

  const onSend = useCallback((messages = []) => {
    setMessages(previousMessages => GiftedChat.append(previousMessages, messages));
    const { _id, createdAt, text, user } = messages[0];
    db.collection('chats').add({
      _id,
      createdAt,
      text,
      user
    });
  }, []);

  return (
    <GiftedChat
      messages={messages}
      onSend={messages => onSend(messages)}
      user={{
        _id: auth.currentUser.email,
        name: auth.currentUser.email
      }}
    />
  );
};

export default ChatScreen;

7. State management with redux

Use code npm install redux react-redux to install all libraries using Redux. Post completing this, your next step should be to set up the redux store and reducers like:

// store.js
import { createStore, combineReducers } from 'redux';
import { Provider } from 'react-redux';
import userReducer from './reducers/userReducer';

const rootReducer = combineReducers({
  user: userReducer
});

export const store = createStore(rootReducer);

// reducers/userReducer.js
const initialState = {
  user: null
};

export default function userReducer(state = initialState, action) {
  switch (action.type) {
    case 'SET_USER':
      return { ...state, user: action.payload };
    default:
      return state;
  }
}

8. Testing and optimization

Now after you have completed all these steps, your next go-to action is to test your app across different devices and network conditions. For this, you can use tools like React Native Debugger and Firebase Analytics to track the app's performance and user engagement levels.

Best Practices for Building a React Native Chat App

Below are some of the best practices you must follow or consider to build apps using the react native framework:

1. Always try to keep your code modular and neatly organized.
2. Try to incorporate mechanisms like user feedback and error handling to detect flaws in the code.
3. Do not miss adding security to your Firebase setup and try implementing stringent user authentication mechanisms.
4. Make sure to reduce unnecessary codes, optimize images, and use controlled data structures.

Build an intuitive chat app with React Native

So that's all. Now it is a wrap, and I bet this tutorial has given you the help you need to build a chat application using the React Native framework. Though we have listed the required tech stacks and libraries for building a functional chat system, you can also try using any third-party providers' APIs and SDKs to simplify this process.

And if you ask me, I would suggest MirrorFly's React Native SDKs that help you integrate the needed features in less than 30 minutes. On top of that, you also get features like complete control over their source code, the ability to host apps on their premises, limitless customizations, and more.

What are you planning to do? Going to build in-house or use pre-made React Native chat SDKs? Comment below.