React Native version upgrade

Note (from August 2019): This document is pretty outdated (first written in January 2016) and helped me a lot when React Native was still much more immature than it is now. Consider using expo these days which provides a much easier React Native workflow.

React native version upgrade

1. Check release notes for breaking changes

2. Check updates with ncu (npm-check-updates). Check react dependency of react-native

   $ ncu

3. Update dependencies in package.json (including the react native version)

   $ ncu -u

   or -a, --upgradeAll

   $ ncu -a

4. Reinstall nodes_modules\ to

   $ rm -rf node_modules/
   $ npm install

5. Use npm postinstall script to copy and overwrite changed files into node_modules (this is a fix for adapting external modules)

   $ npm run postinstall

   which is equivalent to

   $ cp -f -R scripts/hotfix/* ./ | true

6. Upgrade react-native with APP-IDENTIFIER de.myCompanyName.myAppName

   This builds all the template files again as react-native init does and compares the files where changes have occured.

   $ react-native upgrade --package "<APP-IDENTIFIER>"

   • Overwrite <FILENAME>? --- say yes to all

7. Fix conflicts by checking the git diff

   • In WebStorm press cmd + d to see the git diff
   • Common changes: _ in iOS: remove the default Launchscreen _ in Android: variable for app identifier because of fastlane

8. Check xcode project:

   in general --> linked frameworks in build phases --> link binary with libraries

   make sure it shows the house 🏠. If not, remove and add again.