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React Native macOS

Community fork of React Native for building macOS desktop apps; no longer maintained.

GitHub Download v0.14.0
Stars
11.2k
Forks
414
Licence
MIT
Language
JavaScript
Last update
2.7 years ago
Type
Framework

No commits in over a year — check for forks or alternatives before adopting.

What it is

React Native macOS is a fork of React Native that lets developers build macOS desktop applications using JavaScript and React-style components. The README says the project is deprecated and no longer maintained, and it points to Microsoft's React Native for Windows as the successor. It is an experimental project, so it is mainly of interest for understanding the history of desktop React Native work or for older projects.

  • Run the bundled RNTesterApp to view component examples
  • Create a sample macOS project with the included react-native-macos-cli tool, as described in the README
  • Add a macOS target to an existing React Native iOS, Android, or Windows project, following the README steps

Great for

  • Developers who already know React Native and want to explore macOS desktop experiments
  • People studying how React Native was adapted to Cocoa-based desktop apps
  • Maintainers of existing projects that already depend on this fork

Not ideal for

  • New production projects, because the README states the project is no longer maintained
  • Teams needing current macOS or Node support, since the README lists only Node 4.x+ and OS X 10.11+ as requirements
  • Beginners without prior React Native experience, which the README calls highly recommended
Step-by-step guide: how to use React Native macOSInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

How to get it

  1. 1

    Install with a package manager

    You'll need: Node 4.x+ · OS X 10.11+

    Install the CLI globally

    npm install react-native-macos-cli -g

    Create a new project

    react-native-macos init MyProject

    Enter the project folder

    cd MyProject

    Run the macOS app

    react-native-macos run-macos
  2. 2

    Run it

    • Install the CLI with npm as shown in the README
    • Create a project with react-native-macos init MyProject
    • Change into the MyProject directory
    • Start the app with react-native-macos run-macos
  3. 3

    Get the most out of it

    • Read the React Native documentation the README links to, since the README says the fork follows the same instructions
    • Check the README's note about running React Native on Catalyst for an alternative path
    • Use RNTesterApp to try component examples and load external JavaScript bundles over HTTP
    • For new desktop work, consider the Microsoft React Native for Windows project the README recommends

Downloads

Source code (.zip)master branch · straight from GitHubRelease v0.14.0Release notes and source

Strengths

  • Reuses the React Native model and documentation for building macOS apps
  • Uses MIT licensing, which permits reuse and modification
  • Includes example app screenshots and a sample RNTesterApp for exploration

Trade-offs

  • The README says the project is no longer maintained, so bugs and compatibility issues are unlikely to be fixed
  • The README describes the project as experimental and says to proceed at your own risk
  • Setup instructions reference old versions (Node 4.x, OS X 10.11) and older documentation links

How it compares

ProjectStarsTypeLevelUpdatedBest for
react-native-macos (this)11.2kFrameworkadvanced2.7 years agoDevelopers who already know React Native and want to explore macOS desktop experiments
electron124kFrameworkintermediate4 days agoWeb developers who want to ship a desktop app using skills they already have

Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.