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React Native Performance Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
Quick tips and tricks for improving React Native app performance based on real-world experience.
2024-08-10
react-nativeperformancemobileoptimization

# React Native Performance Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
After building several React Native apps, I've learned some performance optimization techniques that can make a significant difference. Here are the key tips that helped me improve app performance.
## 1. Use React.memo Wisely
Don't wrap every component in `React.memo`. Only use it for components that:
- Receive stable props
- Render expensive content
- Are re-rendered frequently
```typescript
// Good use case
const ExpensiveChart = React.memo(({ data, config }) => {
// Expensive chart rendering
return ;
});
// Bad use case - props change frequently
const SimpleText = React.memo(({ text }) => {
return {text} ;
});
```
## 2. Optimize FlatList Rendering
FlatList is often a performance bottleneck. Here are the key optimizations:
```typescript
const OptimizedFlatList = () => {
const renderItem = useCallback(({ item }) => (
), []);
const keyExtractor = useCallback((item) => item.id, []);
const getItemLayout = useCallback((data, index) => ({
length: ITEM_HEIGHT,
offset: ITEM_HEIGHT * index,
index,
}), []);
return (
);
};
```
## 3. Avoid Inline Styles and Functions
Inline styles and functions are recreated on every render:
```typescript
// Bad - recreated every render
// Good - stable references
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
container: {
backgroundColor: 'red',
padding: 10,
},
});
const handlePress = useCallback(() => {
// handle press logic
}, []);
```
## 4. Use InteractionManager for Heavy Operations
Defer heavy operations until after animations complete:
```typescript
const handleHeavyOperation = () => {
InteractionManager.runAfterInteractions(() => {
// Heavy operation here
processLargeDataset();
});
};
```
## 5. Optimize Image Loading
Images can significantly impact performance:
```typescript
// Use appropriate image sizes
// Consider using FastImage for better performance
import FastImage from 'react-native-fast-image';
```
## 6. Debounce User Input
Prevent excessive API calls or expensive operations:
```typescript
import { debounce } from 'lodash';
const debouncedSearch = useCallback(
debounce((query) => {
performSearch(query);
}, 300),
[]
);
```
## 7. Use Flipper for Performance Debugging
Flipper is an excellent tool for debugging React Native performance:
- Monitor network requests
- Profile JavaScript performance
- Debug layout issues
- Monitor memory usage
## Quick Wins
These small changes can have big impacts:
1. **Remove console.log statements** in production
2. **Use production builds** for performance testing
3. **Enable Hermes** engine for better performance
4. **Use appropriate bundle splitting** for large apps
## Performance Monitoring
Always measure before and after optimizations:
```typescript
import { PerformanceObserver } from 'react-native-performance';
const observer = new PerformanceObserver((list) => {
list.getEntries().forEach((entry) => {
console.log(`${entry.name}: ${entry.duration}ms`);
});
});
observer.observe({ entryTypes: ['measure'] });
```
## Conclusion
Performance optimization is an ongoing process. Start with these fundamentals and use profiling tools to identify specific bottlenecks in your app.
Remember: premature optimization is the root of all evil. Focus on the optimizations that provide the most impact for your specific use case.
---
*What performance tips have you found most valuable in React Native development?*
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