edX Online

Learn React Native online

Take free online courses in React Native. Learn React Native basics and more advanced topics like React Native maps to advance your skills in the field of mobile app development.

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework for building Android and iOS applications using React and the app platform’s native capabilities. React Native is designed for cross-platform capability, meaning that it uses the same code for both iOS and Android applications.

“Native” refers to an application that is developed for use on a particular platform or device. Instead of using Java for Android or Swift for iOS, React Native uses React components and creates the corresponding platform views at runtime.1

React Native was created by Facebook in 2015 and has been adopted by app developers around the world. Popular apps built using React Native include Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Skype.2

It differs from React in that React Native is a framework with a user interface hierarchy for building code while React is an open-source library.

Whether you’re a web developer who knows JavaScript, or a person learning how to code for the first time, learning React Native can help improve your knowledge of mobile app development and advance your career.

Browse online React Native Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Related Topics

React Native curriculum

Learning React Native allows you to add your own mobile apps alongside some of the biggest names in the business. Since it was launched in 2015, the framework has established itself as a significant tool in the field.

Some people find it easier to learn React Native because there is no need to learn Swift or Android-specific Java. The components are open source and have counterpart rights, so you can reuse bits of the code to launch both versions of your app. The native code integrates seamlessly.

To learn React Native, you may benefit from knowledge of JavaScript fundamentals. Learners who are new to JavaScript or need to refresh their understanding may want to take an introductory course or browse the developer documentation from Mozilla.

A basic React Native tutorial or course might cover such topics as:3

  • Function components and class components​
  • Core components and native components
  • Views and mobile development
  • React fundamentals
  • Handling text input
  • Using a ScrollView
  • Using list views

A more advanced React Native online course might cover topics including animations, maps, notifications, and navigation.

Discover React Native jobs

When you learn React Native, you can open up new job opportunities or advance in your current career if you work in software development. While there are not necessarily specific React Native jobs, learning how to build mobile apps using the framework can be a very valuable skill that employers could find helpful. Even becoming familiar with React Native basics could set you apart from the competition.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software developers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer or data science or a related field.4 In order to advance to a more senior position such as a computer and information systems manager, you may require a master's degree in data science or a similar field.

How to become a React Native developer

Your approach on how to learn React Native depends on your particular educational background and previous experience. If you are already further along in your career, you may be able to skip over introductory material. Others can get started on their React Native developer journey with the introduction on React Native’s own website. This walks you through learning to work with the framework and includes interactive examples like the React Native tutorial, Hello World.

A coding boot camp can be a good way to learn applicable skills that you can put to work immediately — in React Native developer jobs or any software development positions.

More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to learn React Native?

    This will depend on your particular educational background and previous experience. Do you already know JavaScript? Are you brand-new to coding? A React Native tutorial may take a few minutes or hours, while a more robust self-paced React Native online course may take as long as 13 weeks.

    Is learning React Native worth it?

    React Native has become one of the most significant tools in the mobile app development business, with popular apps including Facebook, Instagram, and Airbnb all using the React Native framework to build their latest app versions. Learning React Native could open up job opportunities in these fields and industries.

    What skills make successful React Native developers?

    Software developers often have solid analytical skills and problem-solving skills, along with good communication skills in order to collaborate with others involved in the development process as well as users. React Native developers also should be creative and detail-oriented, since solving users’ problems often means thinking outside of the box and coding requires precision.

    What’s the best online React Native course?

    The best React Native online course for you is the one that fits your education and experience level and meets your goals, time constraints, and budget. Someone with a bachelor’s degree in computer science will want a different course than someone who is completely new to coding. EdX offers a variety of React Native online courses to meet different needs.

    What is the difference between React Native and React?

    React, or React.js, is a JavaScript library that is used to build user interfaces (UI) for web applications. React Native is a cross-platform mobile application development framework that uses JavaScript. It’s used by apps such as Instagram and Uber Eats. Unlike React, it has a live reload feature that lets developers see the changes in the app at the same time they are writing the code.

    Is there a difference between React Native and Flutter?

    React Native and Flutter are the two most popular cross-platform mobile app frameworks. React Native was created by Facebook in 2015 and uses the popular programming language JavaScript. Flutter was created by Google in 2018, and uses Dart, a newer object-oriented programming language created by Google.

    1. Core Components and Native Components. (2022). React Native. Retrieved September 20, 2022.

    2. What Is React Native & Why Is It So Popular? (2020). Programming with Mosh. Retrieved September 20, 2022.

    3. Introduction. (2022). React Native. Retrieved September 20, 2022.

    4. Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 20, 2022.