React Native & Expo Apps

A mobile app is more than a collection of screens.

It needs a clear product concept, a solid technical architecture, and countless decisions that only become visible beyond the user interface itself: authentication, data storage, error states, offline behavior, updates, builds, and app store requirements.

I build cross-platform apps with React Native and Expo—from the initial product idea and architecture through development and release for iOS and Android.

Product development and software development belong together

Many app projects begin with a list of features or a first set of designs. At that stage, however, the most important questions are often still unanswered:

• What specific problem should the app solve?
• What does the first version actually need?
• Which features can be added later?
• Which data should live on the device, and which in the backend?
• How should the app behave when something goes wrong, the connection drops, or data is incomplete?

I see product concept, technical design, and development as parts of the same process.

That means I do not simply implement a predefined list of screens. I help turn an early, still somewhat vague idea into a clearly structured product that can actually be built.

Product concept and MVP

Together, we define what the first version of the app should do and which features are genuinely necessary.

The goal is not an artificially inflated specification document, but a focused product that can be released, used, and improved from there.

UX and technical architecture

I translate the product concept into a coherent mobile structure:

• navigation and user flows
• application states and data flows
• authentication and user accounts
• local and server-side data storage
• backend and API integration
• offline and error handling
• push notifications
• subscriptions or in-app purchases, where required

Development with React Native and Expo

React Native provides a shared technical foundation for iOS and Android. Expo simplifies many aspects of native integration, builds, and deployment.

Backend and infrastructure

Depending on the project, I can also build or integrate the required backend infrastructure—for example with Firebase and TypeScript, or by connecting to existing APIs. This may include:

• authentication
• data models and databases
• Cloud Functions
• file and media management
• integrations with existing systems

Builds and store release

An app project does not end with a version that runs locally. I can take it all the way to release:

• iOS and Android builds
• signing and certificates
• store configuration
• test releases
• App Store and Play Store submission
• technical adjustments during the review process
• preparation for future updates

Iterative development instead of months of guesswork

I prefer to work in short, verifiable steps.

An early working version is usually more valuable than a long planning phase built on untested assumptions. That is why I recommend implementing and testing the core flows as early as possible, then refining the product based on what we actually learn.

Planning a React Native app?

For project enquiries or an initial discussion: raphael.kirchner@customwebcode.com