FAQs
React Native allows you to create cross-platform applications with Javascript, eliminating the need to deal with separate codebases for Android/iOS versions.
React Native lets you build mobile apps using JavaScript — but, unlike other JavaScript app building frameworks, a React Native app is a real mobile app using real iOS and Android building blocks. The tooling and ecosystem around React Native are the best of both worlds — the proven, efficient developer experience of working with React, and the user experience of the native mobile platforms.
Before React Native, it was a requirement to know languages like Swift and Java (generally considered to be more difficult) to build mobile applications. Now, with React Native, it's easier than ever to get started in mobile app development thanks to the amount of resources available and size of the developer community.
If you've developed web applications with React already, cool! React Native is very similar. Some major differences are:
Since you're building mobile applications, you won't be viewing your projects in the browser but instead you'll use Expo (or phone simulators like XCode or Android Studio).
There are no CSS files
Certain HTML elements are not available to use (but there are React Native equivalents)
Different routing/navigation options
If you haven't used React before, that's okay too! You don't need to write a single line of code to build a screen in Draftbit so don't be afraid to jump in and start learning.
For further reading, check out the React Native Documentation.
In their own words, Expo is a free and open source toolchain built around React Native to help you build native iOS and Android projects using JavaScript and React. Expo is a layer on top of React Native that allows us to do things like easily work with the native APIs of the phone's operating system like the camera, GPS, photo library and more, live preview Draftbit apps during development, publish apps over the air in real time, and much more.
If you haven't downloaded the Expo app yet, you can download it on the App Store or Play Store now.
Expo gives you access to a variety of tools to make React Native development faster and easier. The main tool Draftbit uses is Live Preview, which makes it possible for you to view what you're building in Draftbit on your phone in realtime.
While you're using Draftbit, you'll see QR codes appear that you scan with your phone's camera if you're using an iPhone, or the Expo app itself if you're using an Android.
In order to continue working on your project outside of the Draftbit builder, you'll need to set up Expo CLI on your computer. All you have to do is open up your terminal and run yarn global add expo-cli or npm install -g expo-cli.
Expo: Already used React Native? Expo: Frequently Asked Questions
Web Preview is. but the native version (on Live Preview) will generally depict your app in the most accurate manner. Here are some things you may encounter when viewing your app between the two:
Small visual discrepancies Properties like fonts, line heights, can be calculated differently between Live Preview and Web Preview.
Certain components will not appear in the browser You will be alerted to the components and prompted to view them in Live Preview
Navigation Navigation is not be visible in Web Preview. You must view your app in Live Preview to view or interact with any of your navigators.
If you are experiencing Web Preview/Live Preview issues that fall outside of the ones listed above, please feel free to reach out to our team for assistance.
Yes, you're able to deploy apps you build in Draftbit to the App Store/Google Play Store.
To do so, check out Expo's documentation on Building Standalone Apps and Deploying to App Stores which will give you instructions on how to generate native binaries and provides you with tips on getting your app ready for approval.
Are we missing a critical capability or feature for you? If so, please head over to the Roadmap and see if it's already been requested.
If it has, please upvote the topic and add a comment to let us know any additional thoughts or clarifications that are specific to you.
If it hasn't, create a new request and let us know what you're looking for and any background or details.
The short answer is soon.
We're slowly rolling out beta invites weekly so that we can ask new beta users questions, show them how Draftbit works, and collect their feedback after they've tried using it.
Sorry to hear you've found a bug or issue. The easiest way to report a bug to us is to head over to the Bugs category of our Community and create a topic with your bug/issue.
By creating a topic, you'll get notified as we address these issues automatically.
If the issue is more complex, or you're not sure how to describe it, just shoot us an email [email protected] and we'll be happy to take a look!
There is not currently a free version of Draftbit. We are offering early beta users special, pre-public pricing. The only way to get access to this early user pricing is to request access to the beta from draftbit.com. Your invitation will specify pricing and instructions. You'll also get a free trial period to evaluate the tool before being charged.
After our beta is complete, we will likely utilize a SaaS (recurring) pricing model, with tiers depending on features and capabilities. We may or may not maintain a free plan, and we have not finalized the specific prices or tiers.
If you wish to cancel your subscription, fill out this Cancellation Form. Once we've received the results, we'll process your request and confirm your account and/or apps have been deleted.
If you want to share a visual preview of the screen you're working on now, you can share your progress and changes live to as many people as you want through our Live Preview. Using the QR code generated for each project, you can have as many people as you want follow along as you build.
You can also share your project by publishing your project to the web. Doing so generates a unique URL that you can send to collaborators, clients, and friends that will allow them to view your project on an Android/iOS simulator.
Yes, it is possible for us to recover deleted applications. Please contact us and we will be able to help you. Please note, apps deleted a long time ago may not be recoverable.
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