weChat 💬

weChat is a simple messaging app for mobile devices built with React Native and developed using Expo.

Features ✅

• Users can enter their name and choose a background color for the chat screen
• The chat UI is integrated through the Gifted Chat library
• Users can send images, take pictures, and send their location after consenting permission
• Google Cloud Firestore for database storage and local storage for offline access to previously sent messages

Technologies

• React Native
• Expo
• Google Firebase Database
• Gifted Chat UI library

Getting Started ▶️

Install dependencies

Check if you are running the latest version of Node.

Install Expo globally on your computer and create your Expo account.

$ npm install expo-cli --global

Start by downloading/cloning this repository.

Then in the project root directory install the application's dependencies.

npm install

Running the App ✨

To start the project, run the following in your terminal:

$ npm run start

or

$ expo start

This will now automatically open a tab in your browser called the Metro Bundler.

Mobile Device Setup 📱

You can then run the app on your own mobile device by installing the Expo app through your device's app store.

• You will need to login into Expo on your device in order to access the app
• Use your camera on your device to read the QR Code on the Metro Builder and the app will start

Device Emulator Setup 💻

If you would like to run the app on your computer through a simulator/emulator, you will either need:

• Android Studio
• iOS Simulator

Both can be accessed through the Metro Bundler after the emulators have been installed.

Author

Aaron Keohane

Version

1.0.0