---
title: "Rocket Chat Mobile App Development"
slug: "mobile-app"
description: "Explore Rocket Chat mobile app development. Build, customise, and test secure messaging apps for iOS and Android."
updated: 2026-05-25T15:50:38Z
published: 2026-05-28T01:30:50Z
canonical: "developer.rocket.chat/mobile-app"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.rocket.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Mobile App Setup

The Rocket.Chat mobile app is built with **React Native**, allowing you to develop Android and iOS applications from a [single codebase](https://github.com/RocketChat/Rocket.Chat.ReactNative). Setting up the development environment requires you to download and install some dependencies.

## Prerequisites

Before setting up, confirm that these tools are installed and running correctly on your device:

- [Git](http://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Getting-Started-Installing-Git)
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org): Minimum Node version: 22.14.0
- [pnpm](https://pnpm.io/)
- macOS with `XCode Command Line Tools` to run the iOS version, or the Android Studio to run the Android version.
- A Rocket.Chat workspace URL. You can set up a [development server environment](/v1/docs/server-environment-setup) or [deploy a workspace](https://docs.rocket.chat/docs/deploy-rocketchat) using any of the deployment methods.
- Follow the [React Native](https://reactnative.dev/docs/set-up-your-environment) documentation for your operating system to set up your React Native environment. This is necessary as Rocket.Chat does not support Expo-managed flow.
- Maintain an active internet connection throughout the installation process.

> [!WARNING]
> npm and yarn is not supported in this project.

## Set up the codebase

Clone the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/RocketChat/Rocket.Chat.ReactNative) and install the required dependencies by running these commands:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/RocketChat/Rocket.Chat.ReactNative.git
cd Rocket.Chat.ReactNative
pnpm install
```

### For iOS

Run the app by executing these commands:

```bash
pnpm pod-install
pnpm ios
```

### For Android

Open the project in Android Studio and launch an emulator using the Android Studio Device Manager, or connect a physical device.

Navigate to the application's root folder, locate the “android” folder, and create a `local.properties`. In this file, add your Android SDK. Like so:

- For **Mac** users:

```bash
sdk.dir=/Users/YOUR_USER_NAME/Library/Android/sdk
```
- For **Windows** users:

```bash
sdk.dir=C:\\Users\\YOUR_USER_NAME\\AppData\\Local\\Android\\Sdk
```

> [!WARNING]
> Mac and Windows handle file paths differently. While Mac uses the forward slash (/), Windows uses the backslash (\).

Now, run the following command to start the application:

```bash
pnpm android
```

The app is now running on the emulator or your device. Depending on your internet connection, your application may take longer to set up.

Refer to the [frequently asked questions](/v1/docs/mobile-app-faqs) for solutions to any problems you may encounter.

> [!NOTE]
> Additional resources
> 
> The following resources will help you understand how users can install the mobile app and the requirements for the same:
> 
> - [Install Desktop & Mobile App](https://docs.rocket.chat/docs/desktop-mobile-apps)
> - [Minimum Requirements for Client Apps](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/minimum-requirements-for-client-apps)