Migration · Native iOS + Android (Swift + Kotlin) → React Native
Native iOS / Android to React Native Migration Guide (2026)
Two native codebases, two engineering teams, drifting features and a rating that won't climb. We migrate to a single React Native codebase with feature parity — and we don't compromise the native feel. RapidLearn EdTech went from 2.8 stars to 4.7 stars after migration.
Why teams migrate
- Two native teams doubling engineering cost
- Feature drift between iOS and Android releases
- App store rating stuck below 4.0
- No offline support / rural users can't use the app
- Slow shipping velocity (multi-platform release coordination)
Our migration approach
Phase 1 — Foundation in RN, new screens first
We set up a React Native + Expo foundation, design system, navigation and core state management. New screens ship on RN; legacy screens stay native.
Phase 2 — Screen-by-screen port
Each sprint, we port a legacy screen to RN with feature parity. Old screens are flagged off as new ones ship. Users see no regression.
Phase 3 — Native-module bridges
Where native modules are required (biometrics, deep camera APIs, custom SDKs), we bridge them with TypeScript-typed wrappers — not third-party shims.
Phase 4 — Native codebases retired
When parity is reached, old codebases are archived. Single CI/CD pipeline, single release coordination, halved engineering cost.
Pitfalls we've seen
- Don't try to migrate everything in one release. Phased migration keeps risk low.
- Test on real low-end Android devices (2-3 GB RAM, mid-tier chipsets). RN performance on flagship-only testing is misleading.
- Plan for native modules. Some SDKs (specific banking SDKs, biometrics) need native bridges — budget time for them.
- Offline-first is a first-class concern, not a sprint-4 add-on. Design for it before sprint 1.
Real engagement
RapidLearn EdTech
App rating improved from 2.8 to 4.7. Development cost halved. Offline mode now serving 40,000 rural users.
Pricing and timeline
Price range
$25,000 – $70,000
USD, fixed-cost after written scope
Timeline
12 – 18 weeks
Phased rollout from kickoff to legacy retirement
FAQ
Will users notice the migration?
Done right, no. We port screen-by-screen with feature parity, use native UI patterns (platform-specific navigation, gestures), and ship continuously. The only thing users notice is faster releases.
Is React Native fast enough for our app?
For 95% of apps, yes. RN with the New Architecture (Fabric + Hermes) ships at 60 fps for well-engineered apps. We measure on real devices before claiming parity.
Should we use Expo or bare React Native?
Expo unless you need native modules outside its config plugins. Expo's developer experience is materially better and the EAS Build pipeline saves weeks. We make this call based on your specific native dependencies.
What does it cost?
Migrations typically run $25,000 to $70,000 depending on app size, native modules and feature scope. RapidLearn's was at the mid-range. Fixed-cost quote after scope.
Considering this migration?
We'll scope it phase-by-phase and share a fixed-cost proposal within 48 hours. See the related service below for our standard mobile app development approach.