Mobile Debugging
Debugging guide for React Native and Expo applications.
When to Use
- •App crashes or freezes
- •Metro bundler errors
- •Native module issues
- •Performance problems
- •Build failures
- •Network request debugging
Common Issues & Fixes
Metro Bundler Problems
bash
# Clear all caches npx expo start --clear watchman watch-del-all rm -rf node_modules && npm install # Reset packager cache rm -rf /tmp/metro-* rm -rf /tmp/haste-*
Native Module Errors
bash
# iOS: Reset pods cd ios && pod deintegrate && pod install && cd .. # Android: Clean build cd android && ./gradlew clean && cd .. # Expo: Prebuild clean npx expo prebuild --clean
Simulator/Emulator Issues
bash
# iOS: Reset simulator xcrun simctl erase all # Android: Wipe emulator data adb devices # Find device ID adb -s DEVICE_ID emu kill
Debugging Tools
React DevTools
bash
# Install npm install -g react-devtools # Start react-devtools # In app: Shake device -> "Debug Remote JS"
Metro Logs
bash
# View detailed logs npx expo start --verbose # iOS device logs npx react-native log-ios # Android device logs npx react-native log-android adb logcat
Network Debugging
typescript
// Enable network inspector
import { Platform } from 'react-native';
if (__DEV__ && Platform.OS === 'ios') {
require('react-native').NativeModules.DevSettings.setIsDebuggingRemotely(true);
}
// Or use Flipper for advanced network inspection
Performance Debugging
Identify Slow Renders
typescript
// Add performance logging
import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
function useRenderTime(componentName: string) {
const start = useRef(performance.now());
useEffect(() => {
const duration = performance.now() - start.current;
if (duration > 16) {
console.warn(`Slow render: ${componentName} took ${duration.toFixed(2)}ms`);
}
});
}
// Use in components
function MyComponent() {
useRenderTime('MyComponent');
return <View>...</View>;
}
Memory Leaks
typescript
// Check for missing cleanup
useEffect(() => {
const subscription = someObservable.subscribe();
const timer = setInterval(() => {}, 1000);
// MUST clean up!
return () => {
subscription.unsubscribe();
clearInterval(timer);
};
}, []);
Error Investigation
JavaScript Errors
bash
# Look for error in stack trace # Check recent file changes # Verify imports and dependencies # Check for typos in variable names
Native Errors
bash
# iOS: Check Xcode console # Android: Check Android Studio Logcat # Look for Java/Swift exceptions # Check native module compatibility
Build Errors
bash
# Check package versions npx expo-doctor # Verify node/npm versions node --version npm --version # Check for conflicting dependencies npm ls PACKAGE_NAME
Debugging Commands
bash
# Check what's using a port lsof -ti:8081 # Metro bundler port lsof -ti:19000 # Expo DevTools # Kill process on port kill -9 $(lsof -ti:8081) # Check device connectivity # iOS xcrun simctl list devices # Android adb devices # Restart adb adb kill-server adb start-server
Debugging Checklist
When investigating issues:
- •Reproduce: Can you consistently trigger the issue?
- •Recent Changes: What was changed before it broke?
- •Error Message: Read the full error, including stack trace
- •Dependencies: Check if packages are compatible
- •Platform: Does it happen on iOS, Android, or both?
- •Environment: Dev only or production builds too?
- •Logs: Check Metro, Xcode, and Logcat for details
Common Error Patterns
- •"Unable to resolve module": Check import path and file exists
- •"Invariant Violation": React error, check component lifecycle
- •"Network request failed": Check API URL and network connection
- •"Undefined is not an object": Check for null/undefined before accessing properties
- •"Maximum call stack size exceeded": Infinite loop or recursion