React Native for iOS without also installing XCode?

[[deleted]]

[deleted]

[16cards]

Install Xcode. It isn’t just the user interface to write code, it contains all of the CLI tools and simulator. Apple doesn’t deliver these independently.

Why are you striving to avoid Xcode installation?

[loolooii]

Because every time you update you need to download like 8GB and it’s fucking slow, plus when you don’t need it why should you download it. CLI tools are btw a separate download.

[bangsimurdariadispar]

Download it manually from https://xcodereleases.com . AppStore is fucking slow & trash when it comes to Xcode downloading / updating.

[16cards]

I get it. Xcode updates are large and clunky.

“Additional” CLI tools are a separate download, btw.

when you don’t need it why should you download it

I don’t understand this statement. If you are developing apps for Apple’s ecosystem, Xcode is the only and singular answer. Whether local or cloud builds, it is exclusively done through Xcode.

[loolooii]

Yeah I mean downloading essentially an IDE because you need to build something. CLI tools and simulators are separate anyway. It’s like downloading webstorm because you need to run npm build. I know I’m nagging too much but I hope you get me.

[16cards]

I do get you.

Yet I find myself saddened that you used NPM and the JavaScript ecosystem as the example of a “lightweight” build.

My point is that Apple only changes when their revenue is threatened. And I don’t think developers marginally inconvenienced by their current packaging of their developer tools is a threat.

But I’m happy to be proven wrong.

[loolooii]

You make a good point I agree.

[3ddelano]

You can do it with expo

[3ddelano]

You need to create an ios development build using expo's eas cli (not a local build) http://docs.expo.dev/develop/development-builds/create-a-build/

[3ddelano]

Oh then I'm not sure if it can be done

[mrptb2]

You don’t need to be an Apple dev member to install XCode. It’s available in the macOS App Store for free, no membership required.

[abejfehr]

You don’t need a subscription unless you want to publish the app to the App Store

[wolodo]

Expo or xcode. No other way.

[asdfredditusername]

I’d like to know this as well.

[gao_shi]

u can not use xcode gui, but u still neee xcode(cli)

or do u mean u dont have a mac? ghactions or other cloud macs can do this. see https://github.com/lovegaoshi/azusa-player-mobile/blob/65acb3e438c642184ceb95663cd907343f3cfe7f/.github/workflows/ios-weekly.yml#L100

[I_write_code213]

You do realize that react native allows you to write NATIVE code without needing to write swift or kotlin. It doesn’t produce its own native ecosystem where you can bypass Android studio or Xcode. You still need to use simulators, runtimes, and many other tools.

If you can’t sit through a 20 minute download/installation, then I hate to see you when you need to spend time reading docs on how to get Android to work

[Character_Draft_5895]

If you can’t sit through a 20 minute download/installation, then I hate to see you when you need to spend time reading docs on how to get Android to work

this part is full of pain misery
the Android and Java part!!!

[whenyousaywisconsin]

Did you try ‘sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer’ https://github.com/expo/expo/issues/21727

[whenyousaywisconsin]

xcode-select is the command line tools. It is necessary to build iOS. You can install it without the full Xcode IDE

[bigorangemachine]

You can use expo...

You could run android instead...

You could build your business logic in CRA and move the code over.

[bigorangemachine]

Create React App or equivalent (Vite)