# Config variables for React Native apps Module to expose config variables to your javascript code in React Native, supporting both iOS and Android. Bring some [12 factor](http://12factor.net/config) love to your mobile apps! ## Usage Create a new file `.env` in the root of your React Native app: ``` API_URL=https://myapi.com GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=abcdefgh ``` Then access variables defined there from your app: ```js import Config from 'react-native-config' Config.API_URL // 'https://myapi.com' Config.GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY // 'abcdefgh' ``` Keep in mind this module doesn't obfuscate or encrypt secrets for packaging, so **do not store sensitive keys in `.env`**. It's [basically impossible to prevent users from reverse engineering mobile app secrets](https://rammic.github.io/2015/07/28/hiding-secrets-in-android-apps/), so design your app (and APIs) with that in mind. ### Android Config variables set in `.env` are available to your Java classes via `BuildConfig`: ```java public HttpURLConnection getApiClient() { URL url = new URL(BuildConfig.API_URL); // ... } ``` You can also read them from your Gradle configuration: ```groovy defaultConfig { applicationId project.env.get("APP_ID") } ``` And use them to configure libraries in `AndroidManifest.xml` and others: ```xml ``` All variables are strings, so you may need to cast them. For instance, in Gradle: ``` versionCode project.env.get("VERSION_CODE").toInteger() ``` Once again, remember variables stored in `.env` are published with your code, so **DO NOT put anything sensitive there like your app `signingConfigs`.** ### iOS Read variables declared in `.env` from your Obj-C classes like: ```objective-c // import header #import "ReactNativeConfig.h" // then read individual keys like: NSString *apiUrl = [ReactNativeConfig envFor:@"API_URL"]; // or just fetch the whole config NSDictionary *config = [ReactNativeConfig env]; ``` They're also available for configuration in `Info.plist`, by prepending `__RN_CONFIG_` to their name: ``` __RN_CONFIG_API_URL ``` Note: Requires specific setup (see below) and a `Product > Clean` is required after changing the values to see the updated values. ### Different environments Save config for different environments in different files: `.env.staging`, `.env.production`, etc. By default react-native-config will read from `.env`, but you can change it when building or releasing your app. The simplest approach is to tell it what file to read with an environment variable, like: ``` $ ENVFILE=.env.staging react-native run-ios # bash $ SET ENVFILE='.env.staging' && react-native run-ios # windows $ env:ENVFILE=".env.staging"; react-native run-ios # powershell ``` This also works for `run-android`. Alternatively, there are platform-specific options below. #### Android The same environment variable can be used to assemble releases with a different config: ``` $ cd android && ENVFILE=.env.staging ./gradlew assembleRelease ``` Alternatively, you can define a map in `build.gradle` associating builds with env files. Do it before the `apply from` call, and use build cases in lowercase, like: ``` project.ext.envConfigFiles = [ debug: ".env.development", release: ".env.production", anothercustombuild: ".env", ] apply from: project(':react-native-config').projectDir.getPath() + "/dotenv.gradle" ``` #### iOS The basic idea in iOS is to have one scheme per environment file, so you can easily alternate between them. Start by creating a new scheme: - In the Xcode menu, go to Product > Scheme > Edit Scheme - Click Duplicate Scheme on the bottom - Give it a proper name on the top left. For instance: "Myapp (staging)" Then edit the newly created scheme to make it use a different env file. From the same "manage scheme" window: - Expand the "Build" settings on left - Click "Pre-actions", and under the plus sign select "New Run Script Action" - Where it says "Type a script or drag a script file", type: ``` echo ".env.staging" > /tmp/envfile # replace .env.staging for your file ``` This is still a bit experimental and dirty – let us know if you have a better idea on how to make iOS use different configurations opening a pull request or issue! ## Setup Install the package: ``` $ yarn add react-native-config ``` Link the library: ``` $ react-native link react-native-config ``` ### Extra step for Android You'll also need to manually apply a plugin to your app, from `android/app/build.gradle`: ``` // 2nd line, add a new apply: apply from: project(':react-native-config').projectDir.getPath() + "/dotenv.gradle" ``` ### Extra step for iOS to support Info.plist * Go to your project -> Build Settings -> All * Search for "preprocess" * Set `Preprocess Info.plist File` to `Yes` * Set `Info.plist Preprocessor Prefix File` to `${BUILD_DIR}/GeneratedInfoPlistDotEnv.h` * Set `Info.plist Other Preprocessor Flags` to `-traditional` * If you don't see those settings, verify that "All" is selected at the top (instead of "Basic") #### Advanced Android Setup In `android/app/build.gradle`, if you use `applicationIdSuffix` or `applicationId` that is different from the package name indicated in `AndroidManifest.xml` in `` tag, for example, to support different build variants: Add this in `android/app/build.gradle` ``` defaultConfig { ... resValue "string", "build_config_package", "YOUR_PACKAGE_NAME_IN_ANDROIDMANIFEST.XML" } ``` ## Troubleshooting ### Problems with Proguard When Proguard is enabled (which it is by default for Android release builds), it can rename the `BuildConfig` Java class in the minification process and prevent React Native Config from referencing it. To avoid this, add an exception to `android/app/proguard-rules.pro`: -keep class com.mypackage.BuildConfig { *; } `mypackage` should match the `package` value in your `app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml` file. ## Testing ### Jest For mocking the `Config.FOO_BAR` usage, create a mock at `__mocks__/react-native-config.js`: ``` // __mocks__/react-native-config.js export default { FOO_BAR: 'baz', }; ```