How to Setup your Mac for React Native

# React Native Development Environment Setup for Mac (iOS & Android)

## Prerequisites

- macOS 10.15 or newer

- Admin access to your machine

- Terminal familiarity

## 1. Install Homebrew

```bash

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

```

## 2. Install Node.js & npm

```bash

brew install node

```

## 3. Install Watchman

```bash

brew install watchman

```

## 4. Install React Native CLI

```bash

npm install -g react-native-cli

```

## 5. iOS Setup

### Install Xcode

1. Download Xcode from the Mac App Store

2. Install Xcode Command Line Tools:

```bash

xcode-select --install

```

3. Install iOS Simulator:

- Open Xcode

- Go to Preferences > Locations

- Select the most recent version in Command Line Tools

### Install CocoaPods

```bash

sudo gem install cocoapods

```

## 6. Android Setup

### Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

```bash

brew tap homebrew/cask-versions

brew install --cask zulu11

```

### Install Android Studio

1. Download Android Studio from [developer.android.com](https://developer.android.com/studio)

2. During installation, ensure these components are selected:

- Android SDK

- Android SDK Platform

- Android Virtual Device

- Performance (Intel HAXM)

### Configure Android Environment Variables

Add these to your ~/.zshrc or ~/.bash_profile:

```bash

export ANDROID_HOME=$HOME/Library/Android/sdk

export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/emulator

export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/tools

export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/tools/bin

export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/platform-tools

```

### Install Android SDK Components

1. Open Android Studio

2. Go to SDK Manager (Preferences > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK)

3. Select these items:

- Android SDK Platform 31 (or latest)

- Intel x86 Atom System Image

- Google APIs Intel x86 Atom System Image

- Android SDK Build-Tools

- NDK

- CMake

## 7. Create and Test a New Project

### Create Project

```bash

npx react-native init MyApp --template react-native-template-typescript

cd MyApp

```

### Run iOS

```bash

cd ios

pod install

cd ..

npx react-native run-ios

```

### Run Android

1. Start an Android emulator or connect a device

2. Run:

```bash

npx react-native run-android

```

## Troubleshooting Tips

### iOS Issues

- Clean build folder: Xcode > Product > Clean Build Folder

- Reset Metro cache:

```bash

npx react-native start --reset-cache

```

### Android Issues

- Clear gradle cache:

```bash

cd android

./gradlew clean

```

- Update gradle dependencies:

```bash

cd android

./gradlew --refresh-dependencies

```

## Recommended Development Tools

- Visual Studio Code

- React Native Debugger

- Flipper