Prachi Purohit
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Setting up dev environment for react native on Windows

Step 1: Install Node.js

Download and install from nodejs.org. Verify the installation:

node -v
npm -v

Step 2: Install a Code Editor

Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com. Any other editor is also supported.

Step 3: Install Chocolatey

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

Step 4: Install JDK and Node via Chocolatey

choco install -y nodejs-lts microsoft-openjdk17

Verify the Java installation:

java -version

Step 5: Install Android Studio

Download from developer.android.com/studio.

During installation, ensure the following components are selected:

  • Android SDK

  • Android SDK Platform

  • Android Virtual Device

Follow the standard installation prompts to complete setup.

Step 6: Configure Environment Variables

  1. Open Environment Variables by searching env in the Windows search bar.

  2. Under User Variables, create a new variable:

    • Variable name: ANDROID_HOME

    • Variable value: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk

  3. Under User Variables, select Path → Edit → New, and add:

    C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools

  4. Click OK to save.

Verify Environment Variables

Open PowerShell and run the following to confirm ANDROID_HOME was created:

Get-ChildItem -Path Env:

Open Command Prompt and run the following to confirm all tools are installed:

node -v
java -version
adb --version

Step 7: Configure Android Studio

  1. Go to File → Settings → Languages & Frameworks → Android SDK.

  2. Under SDK Platforms, install the desired Android version. Example: Android 15.0 “VanillaIceCream” (API 35).

  3. Under SDK Tools, install the following:

    • Android SDK Build-Tools

    • Android SDK Command-Line Tools

    • Android Emulator

    • Android Emulator Hypervisor Driver (Installer)

    • Android SDK Platform-Tools

    • Google Play Licensing Library

Step 8: Set Up a Device

In Android Studio, select the Device Manager icon (top-right toolbar). Either:

  • Create and launch a virtual device (emulator), or

  • Connect a physical device via wireless debugging.

Step 9: Run Your React Native App

Once a device is active, start your app with:

npm run android

The app will build and launch on the connected emulator or physical device.