Build for scale: How to optimize the images in your React native app.

Introduction

This series of build for scale: Is About the advanced way to use React native app.

I will talk about methods, best practices, how-to use guides, and advanced approaches on how to use the most used tools, and packages. Taking into account how to structure it in your app, how to architect the solution, and advanced approaches for a performant, secure, and scalable app. This series is perfect for React Native developers of all levels who want to take their skills to the next level and build apps that stand the test of time. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, you’ll find invaluable knowledge and practical guidance to transform your React Native development journey

Images play a vital role in enhancing the user experience within your React Native app. However, unoptimized images can significantly affect your app’s performance and user experience. This guide delves into various strategies for optimizing images in your React Native app, ensuring a smooth and visually appealing experience for your users.

Having optimized images?

• Improved App Performance: Large, uncompressed images can lead to slower loading times, impacting the user experience and potentially causing frustration.
• Reduced App Size: Smaller image files contribute significantly to a smaller app size, making it easier to download and install across different network connections.
• Enhanced Battery Life: Efficiently loaded and displayed images utilize less battery power, enhancing the user’s overall experience.
• Better App Scaling: We will have a better app for scale with smaller images—no matter the internet speed or the geographical localization of end users.

How to optimize your?images

Type of?images:

Images play a vital role in enhancing the user experience within your React Native app. However, unoptimized images can significantly affect your app’s performance and user experience. This guide delves into various strategies for optimizing images in your React Native app, ensuring a smooth and visually

1. Raster Images:

Definition: These are images made up of individual pixels, similar to the squares on a grid. Common examples include:

• JPEG (JPG): Widely used for photographs and images with a lot of color variations due to its efficient compression. However, it loses quality with each compression, leading to noticeable pixelation on zooming or displaying on high-resolution screens.
• PNG: Preferred for graphics, logos, and images with sharp edges and transparent backgrounds. Unlike JPG, it uses lossless compression, maintaining image quality but resulting in larger file sizes.

2. Vector Images:

Definition: These are images defined using mathematical formulas, describing paths, shapes, and colors instead of individual pixels. This allows them to scale infinitely without losing quality. The only types commonly used in mobile are:

• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): The ideal choice for icons, logos, and simple graphics due to their scalability, flexibility, and smaller file sizes compared to raster images at the same level of detail.

Employing Effective Optimization Techniques:

1. Choosing the Right Image Format:

• JPEG (JPG): Ideal for photographs and images with a lot of color variations. Utilize compression tools to find the optimal balance between quality and size.
• PNG: Preferred for graphics, logos, and images with transparency. Prioritize sharpness over file size while being mindful of the resulting file size.
• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): Choose SVGs for icons, logos, and simple graphics. They offer infinite scalability without quality loss and boast smaller file sizes compared to raster images.?

TIP:

Use Webp for images:?

• WebP (pronounced “webpy”) is a modern image format developed by Google as a replacement for traditional options like JPEG and PNG. It aims to offer superior compression while maintaining high image quality, making it a valuable tool for web developers and content creators

2. Resizing Images:

• Use tools like ImageOptim or TinyPNG to resize images to the appropriate dimensions displayed within your app. This reduces download times and file size without sacrificing significant visual quality.
• Don’t forget to test the image quality, sometimes it gets lost while optimizing. Change the format from PNG or JPEG to WebP

3. Leveraging Caching Mechanisms:

• Employ Caching library:react-native-fast-image: https://github.com/DylanVann/react-native-fast-image, to cache images locally. This significantly improves loading times for subsequent app launches and revisited screens.

4. Lazy Loading and Progressive Loading:

• Explain the concepts of lazy loading and progressive loading to optimize the loading of images. for a better user experience.?
• You can create a custom component for images using React native fast image, add your spinner when the image is loading and show it when the loading ends.

5. Test and Measure Performance:

• Emphasize the importance of testing image optimizations to ensure they deliver the desired performance improvements.
• Discuss techniques for measuring app performance related to image loading and rendering, such as using React Native Performance tools.

6. Monitor and Update Image Assets:

• Encourage developers to regularly monitor and update image assets to reflect changes in app requirements and design.
• Guide managing image assets effectively to avoid bloating the app size over time

Conclusion:

Just remember this: Use React native fast image, with a Webp type for images, and Svg for icons. test your app for performance. Keep the code clean and keep deleting non-used components and assets in your code base.

I will share in the next article how to use React native fast image with custom components for your images, also how to use SVG icons in your react native app. #stay updated

I share insights about React Native, React, and Typescript. Follow me on Linkedin or Medium

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