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Enable Firebase Authentication for a React Native App

Firebase Authentication handles sign-up, sign-in, password reset, and identity for Firebase-backed Instamobile apps. Enable only the providers your app actually uses.

Quick Answer​

Open Firebase Console, go to Authentication > Sign-in method, enable the providers used by the app, complete any provider-specific native setup, then run the app and confirm a new test user appears under Authentication > Users.

Common Providers​

ProviderFirebase Console setupExtra native setup
Email/passwordEnable Email/Password.Usually none.
PhoneEnable Phone.iOS APNs and Android SHA fingerprints are recommended for production.
AppleEnable Apple.Apple Developer App ID capability and Xcode capability.
GoogleEnable Google.Correct Firebase config files and reversed client id on iOS if the app uses Google Sign-In.
FacebookEnable Facebook and add app credentials.Meta app setup, bundle/package configuration, and platform keys.

1. Enable Auth in Firebase Console​

  1. Open Firebase Console.
  2. Select your Firebase project.
  3. Go to Authentication.
  4. Click Get started if this is a new project.
  5. Open Sign-in method.
  6. Enable the providers used by your app.

Do not enable providers only because they appear in demo data. Match the providers to your product requirements and release plan.

2. Confirm Native Firebase Config Files​

Auth will fail or connect to the wrong project if the app still uses demo config files.

Check:

PlatformFile
iOSios/<AppName>/GoogleService-Info.plist
Androidandroid/app/google-services.json

If you changed the bundle identifier or Android application id, download fresh config files from Firebase.

3. Configure Provider-Specific Requirements​

Use these guides when the app exposes the related login option:

Provider setup is not only a Firebase switch. Apple, Google, Facebook, and phone auth can require platform credentials that must match the app bundle id or package name.

4. Test Sign-Up and Sign-In​

Run the app after Firebase config files and Auth providers are ready:

yarn start
yarn ios
# or
yarn android

Create a test account from the app. Then open Firebase Console > Authentication > Users and confirm that the user appears.

Troubleshooting​

ProblemCheck
Sign-up says the provider is disabledEnable that provider in Firebase Console.
Login works in demo but not your projectReplace both native Firebase config files and rebuild the app.
Phone auth does not send SMSEnable Phone auth and add iOS/Android verification setup.
Apple login is rejected on iOSConfirm Apple Developer capability, Firebase provider, and Xcode capability.
Facebook login returns a credential errorConfirm the Meta app id/secret, bundle id, package name, and key hashes.

Next Steps​