How to Install React Native on Windows

Last updated on May 17, 2026

Windows is a solid development environment for React Native Android apps. The important part is to install the native Android toolchain cleanly, keep Node and Java aligned with your app's React Native version, and use project-local commands instead of old global CLIs.

This guide focuses on Android development from Windows. Building and running iOS apps still requires macOS and Xcode.

Quick Answer

For an existing Instamobile React Native project on Windows:

corepack enable
corepack yarn install --immutable
corepack yarn typecheck
corepack yarn android

Before those commands can work, install:

• Node.js through a version manager or the official installer;
• Android Studio with Android SDK, SDK Platform, Platform-Tools, and an emulator;
• the JDK version required by your React Native app;
• ANDROID_HOME and PATH entries for Android SDK tools.

Use the included app README, the React Native development environment guide, and the current React Native stack as the project-specific source of truth.

What You Need on Windows

Before installing tools, make sure your machine has:

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 with administrator access;
• enough disk space for Android Studio, SDKs, emulators, and Gradle caches;
• virtualization enabled in BIOS or Windows Features for Android emulators;
• a stable internet connection for SDK and package downloads;
• a code editor such as Visual Studio Code.

If you prefer physical device testing, you can skip heavy emulator usage, but you still need Android Studio and SDK tools.

Step 1: Install Node.js

Use one of these approaches:

• install Node.js LTS from the official Node.js website;
• use nvm-windows if you switch between multiple React Native apps;
• use a company-managed Node distribution if your team requires one.

After installation, open a new PowerShell window:

node --version
npm --version

If the app includes .nvmrc, .node-version, or an engine requirement in package.json, use that version. Current Instamobile projects document their baseline in Current React Native Stack.

Enable Corepack so Yarn is resolved from the project:

corepack enable

Step 2: Install the JDK Required by Your App

React Native's official Windows setup currently points developers to a supported OpenJDK distribution. The exact JDK requirement can change by React Native and Gradle version, so check your app README or Current React Native Stack.

After installing the JDK, verify it:

java -version
javac -version

If Android builds fail with Gradle or Java errors, confirm JAVA_HOME points to the JDK your app expects.

Step 3: Install Android Studio

Download Android Studio from the official Android Developers website and install these components:

• Android SDK;
• Android SDK Platform;
• Android Virtual Device;
• Android SDK Platform-Tools;
• Android Emulator;
• Android SDK Command-line Tools.

Open Android Studio, go to Settings > Languages & Frameworks > Android SDK, and install the SDK platform required by your app. For existing projects, check android/build.gradle, android/app/build.gradle, or the app README instead of guessing.

Mega Bundle Sale is ON! Get ALL of our React Native codebases at 90% OFF discount 🔥

Get the Mega Bundle

Step 4: Set ANDROID_HOME

The default Android SDK location on Windows is:

$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Android\Sdk

Set ANDROID_HOME for your user:

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable(
  "ANDROID_HOME",
  "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Android\Sdk",
  "User"
)

Close and reopen PowerShell, then verify:

echo $env:ANDROID_HOME

Step 5: Add Android Tools to PATH

Add Platform-Tools and Emulator to your user PATH. You can do this through the Windows Environment Variables UI, or with PowerShell:

$androidHome = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Android\Sdk"
$userPath = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "User")
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable(
  "Path",
  "$userPath;$androidHome\platform-tools;$androidHome\emulator",
  "User"
)

Open a new PowerShell window and verify:

adb version
emulator -version

If adb is not found, the PATH update did not load or the SDK path is different from the default.

Step 6: Create or Start an Android Device

For an emulator:

1. Open Android Studio.
2. Open Device Manager.
3. Create a virtual device.
4. Choose a system image compatible with your app's SDK target.
5. Start the emulator before running the React Native app.

For a physical device:

1. Enable Developer Options on the Android device.
2. Enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the device with USB.
4. Accept the debugging prompt on the phone.
5. Run:

adb devices

You should see the emulator or device listed as device.

Step 7: Run an Existing Instamobile App

From the app folder:

corepack enable
corepack yarn install --immutable
corepack yarn typecheck
corepack yarn android

If Metro does not start automatically, run it in a separate terminal:

corepack yarn start

If the app has Firebase enabled, confirm google-services.json is present in the Android app folder before debugging runtime errors.

Step 8: Create a New Test Project

If you only want to verify that your machine works, create a temporary project.

For Expo:

npx create-expo-app@latest MyFirstApp
cd MyFirstApp
npx expo start

For React Native Community CLI:

npx @react-native-community/cli@latest init MyFirstApp
cd MyFirstApp
npx react-native run-android

Avoid installing old global CLIs. npx or project scripts keep the CLI version close to the project you are running.

Common Windows Issues

adb is not recognized

Add %LOCALAPPDATA%\Android\Sdk\platform-tools to PATH, open a new terminal, and run adb version again.

No emulator or device is detected

Start the emulator from Android Studio or run adb devices after reconnecting a physical device. If the phone is listed as unauthorized, unlock it and accept the USB debugging prompt.

Gradle fails with a Java error

Check java -version, JAVA_HOME, and the JDK version required by your app. Then clean Android build output:

cd android
.\gradlew clean
cd ..

Metro cannot resolve a module

Run the app's install command again and reset Metro:

corepack yarn install --immutable
corepack yarn start --reset-cache

More cases are covered in Metro and Bundler Errors.

Android SDK location is wrong

Open Android Studio's SDK Manager and check the actual SDK path. Then update ANDROID_HOME to match it.

Expo or React Native CLI on Windows?

Use Expo when you want fast iteration, Expo modules, EAS services, development builds, and a simpler native setup path.

Use React Native Community CLI when you are maintaining native folders directly, integrating custom native code, or working from an app template that already ships Android and iOS projects.

Most production apps can use Expo modules and still keep native folders when needed. The important part is to follow the app's README and package manager rather than mixing commands from unrelated tutorials.

Looking for a custom mobile application?

Our team of expert mobile developers can help you build a custom mobile app that meets your specific needs.

Get in Touch

FAQ

Can I build iOS apps from Windows?

No. You can write shared React Native code on Windows, but local iOS builds require macOS and Xcode. Use a Mac or a cloud build service for iOS binaries.

Should I install React Native CLI globally?

No. Prefer npx, corepack yarn, or the scripts included in your project. This avoids old global CLIs fighting with the app's expected tooling.

Which Android SDK should I install?

Install the SDK platform your app requires. For an existing app, check the included README and Android Gradle files. For current Instamobile apps, use the current stack page.

Useful Links

• Set Up Your React Native Development Environment
• Run a React Native App on Android
• Current React Native Stack
• React Native Errors and Solutions
• React Native environment setup
• Expo environment setup
• Android Studio download