How Do I Install Hermes in React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework used for developing mobile applications. It allows developers to build native mobile apps using JavaScript and React. One of the popular libraries used in React Native is Hermes, which is a JavaScript engine that improves the overall performance of the app.

In this tutorial, we will discuss how to install Hermes in React Native.

Step 1: Create a new React Native project

Before installing Hermes, we need to create a new React Native project. If you already have an existing project, you can skip this step. To create a new project, run the following command in your terminal:

“`
npx react-native init MyProject
“`

This command will create a new React Native project named “MyProject” in your current directory.

Tip: Make sure you have Node.js and npm installed on your system before running this command.

Step 2: Install Hermes

Once you have created a new React Native project, navigate to the root directory of your project and run the following command:

“`
npx react-native-hermes
“`

This command will install Hermes in your project. It may take some time depending on your internet speed.

After installing Hermes, open the “android/app/build.gradle” file and add the following lines of code:

“`
project.ext.react = [
hermesCommand: “../node_modules/hermes-engine/%OS-BIN%/hermes”,
enableHermes: true
]
“`

These lines of code enable Hermes in your app.

Step 3: Build and run your app

After installing Hermes, build and run your app using the following command:

“`
npx react-native run-android
“`

This command will build and run your app on an Android emulator or device.

If you want to build and run your app on an iOS simulator or device, use the following command:

“`
npx react-native run-ios
“`

Step 4: Verify Hermes installation

To verify that Hermes is installed and running in your app, open the “Dev Settings” in your app by shaking your device or emulator. Then, select “Debug server host & port for device” and enter your computer’s IP address and the port number (e.g., 8081).

After that, reload your app by tapping on the “Reload” button. You should see a message in the console saying “Hermes is enabled”.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Hermes in your React Native project.

Tip: You can also check if Hermes is enabled by running the following command:

“`
adb shell getprop dalvik.vm.isa.
“`

Replace “” with the name of your app’s process (e., com.myproject). If Hermes is enabled, you should see “hermes” as the output.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we discussed how to install Hermes in a React Native project. By installing Hermes, you can improve the overall performance of your app. Make sure to follow all the steps mentioned above to install Hermes correctly.