Getting Started with the Social Network React Native App

Use this guide after downloading the Social Network app package. It explains what ships in the app, which services are required, how to run it locally, and which checks should pass before you prepare a release.

Quick Answer

Install dependencies, replace Firebase config files, enable Auth, Firestore, Storage, and any Functions included with the package, run the app on iOS or Android, then verify sign-up, profile editing, feed loading, create post, media upload, comments, reactions, chat, and push notifications.

What Ships In The App Package

The Social Network app package usually includes:

• React Native iOS and Android projects;
• social feed screens;
• profile screens;
• create post flow;
• comments and reactions;
• friendship or follow graph logic;
• chat screens when included in the selected package;
• Firebase config placeholders;
• Firestore and Storage integration code;
• optional Firebase Functions and seed data, depending on the package.

Folder Structure

Common folders:

Folder	Purpose
src/screens	App screens such as feed, profile, search, chat, and create post.
src/core	Shared Instamobile modules, social graph logic, media helpers, auth, and UI primitives.
ios	Native iOS project, bundle identifier, pods, and Firebase iOS config.
android	Native Android project, package name, Gradle config, and Firebase Android config.
firebase	Rules, indexes, Functions, or seed files if included.

Required Services

Service	Required for
Firebase Authentication	sign-up, sign-in, user identity.
Cloud Firestore	users, posts, comments, reactions, feeds, social graph, chats.
Firebase Storage	profile photos, post images, videos, chat attachments.
Firebase Functions	feed fan-out, notifications, moderation, media processing, or backend tasks if included.
Firebase Cloud Messaging	push notifications.
App Check	production backend protection.

Run Locally

Start with the shared environment guide:

• Set Up Your React Native Environment
• Run on iOS
• Run on Android

Typical commands:

corepack enable
yarn install
yarn start

In another terminal:

yarn ios

or:

yarn android

Configure Backend

1. Create your Firebase project.
2. Add iOS and Android apps with the current bundle ID and package name.
3. Replace GoogleService-Info.plist and google-services.json.
4. Enable Authentication.
5. Enable Firestore.
6. Enable Storage.
7. Deploy rules, indexes, and Functions if included.
8. Configure push notifications if the app sends notifications.

Use the shared Firebase docs first, then review the Social Network Firebase setup guide for app-specific collections, feeds, media uploads, and indexes:

• Configure a Firebase Project
• Link Firebase Account to Your Mobile App
• Social Network Firebase Setup

Customize Branding

Before release, update:

• app name;
• bundle identifier;
• Android package name;
• app icon;
• splash screen;
• theme colors;
• onboarding copy;
• Firebase project;
• privacy policy and support links.

Use the general customization docs:

• Change the App Name
• Change the App Icon
• Change the Splash Screen

Verification

The local setup is healthy when you can:

• create a new account;
• edit profile data and profile photo;
• create a text-only post;
• create a post with media;
• see the post in the feed and profile;
• add comments and reactions;
• search or find users;
• start a chat if chat is included;
• receive push notifications if configured.

Troubleshooting

Posts do not appear in the feed

Check Firestore writes, feed query indexes, user permissions, and whether the create post flow completed after media upload.

Media upload fails

Check Storage rules, Firebase Storage setup, file URI handling, user auth state, and any Functions that process uploaded media.

Conversations keep loading

Check chat query rules, missing indexes, listener cleanup, and whether the app is waiting for a collection that does not exist yet.

Next Steps

• Social Network Firebase Setup
• Firebase Production Checklist
• React Native App Release Checklist
• React Native App Troubleshooting

FAQ

Can I test without Firebase Storage?

You can test basic navigation and text-only flows, but profile photos and media posts require Storage.

Do I need Blaze?

Plan for Blaze if the app uses Functions, push automation, media processing, or external APIs. See Firebase Costs and Blaze Plan.