Building React Native apps with Supabase

Product teams launching their first mobile app face a specific set of constraints: diverse Android devices, variable connectivity and users who expect local payment methods from day one. Here is how we structure React Native and Supabase projects for global markets.

Start with auth that works offline

Supabase Auth with PKCE flow handles token refresh gracefully. We cache the session in AsyncStorage and queue mutations when connectivity drops, which is critical for field workers in areas with spotty coverage.

Design RLS policies before UI

Row Level Security is not an afterthought. We write policies alongside the schema, test them in a playground and document which roles access which tables. This prevents the common trap where everything works in dev but leaks in production.

Payment integration patterns

Checkout and wallet flows run server-side through Supabase Edge Functions. Never expose consumer secrets in the mobile client. We use idempotency keys and webhook verification to handle duplicate callbacks.

Performance on mid-range devices

Keep bundle size under 15MB, lazy-load screens and profile on representative hardware, not just flagship devices. React Native's Hermes engine helps but image optimization and list virtualization matter more.

Takeaway

The stack is proven. The differentiator is designing for real-world infrastructure from the first architecture diagram, not bolting on integrations at the end.