Platform-specific
- React Native course
- Advanced
- Lesson 69/83
- 5 min
Learn platform-specific native modules.
Platform-specific
Platform-specific code is writing different behavior for iOS and Android. The Platform module gives the device's OS: Platform.OS === 'ios' or Platform.OS === 'android'. You branch based on this.
File names can also be platform-selective: Battery.ios.js is loaded only on iOS, Battery.android.js only on Android. Battery.js is used as a fallback on both. This pattern is preferred when the differences are big; for small differences Platform.OS is more practical.
Branching with Platform.OS
Platform.OS is a string: 'ios' or 'android'. You write iOS-specific code with if (Platform.OS === 'ios'). This pattern is ideal for small differences: margin values, colors, behavior differences.
Example: const marginTop = Platform.OS === 'ios' ? 40 : 24. On iOS 40 may be needed due to the notch; on Android 24 px may be enough. This single-line solution is more practical than creating two separate files.
Practice Platform margin value
Complete the getTopMargin function. Import Platform from react-native. Return Platform.OS === 'ios' ? 40 : 24.
Starter code
import { Platform } from 'react-native';
export function getTopMargin() {
// return 40 or 24 based on Platform.OS
}Sample solution
import { Platform } from 'react-native';
export function getTopMargin() {
return Platform.OS === 'ios' ? 40 : 24;
}Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 Import Platform
import { ____ } from 'react-native';import { Platform } from 'react-native';Explanation: The Platform module gives the OS.
2 Match the platform parts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
Platform.OS |
Operating system |
'ios' |
iOS value |
'android' |
Android value |
.ios.js |
iOS file extension |
3 Which is ideal for small differences?
- Creating two separate files Correct answer
- Branching with Platform.OS
- Writing a native module
- Installing a new package
Explanation: Branching with Platform.OS is ideal for small differences.