How to Use Supabase: Complete Beginner’s Guide to Build Apps with Database, Auth & Storage

Introduction

How to use Supabase is a question more and more people are asking as they look for easier ways to build apps without hiring a full development team.

Supabase is like the “back office” for your app — it’s where your data is stored, where your users log in, and where files (like images or documents) are kept. Normally, building all that from scratch requires a lot of coding, but Supabase gives it to you ready-made so you can get started right away.

Even if you’ve never worked with databases or servers before, don’t worry — this guide will walk you through each step in plain English. By the end, you’ll have:

• A working online database for your app’s data
• A simple login system for users
• A place to store and share files
• Real-time updates so your app feels instant

And we’ll also show you how to turn what you’ve built into a real mobile app using Natively.dev — no extra backend coding needed.

Step 1: What Is Supabase and Why Use It?

Think of Supabase as a ready-to-go toolbox for building the “behind the scenes” of your app. It comes with:

• A database — like an online spreadsheet that your app can use to store and organize information.
• User accounts (authentication) — so people can sign up, log in, and manage their profiles.
• File storage — to save things like profile pictures, PDFs, or videos.
• Real-time updates — so if something changes, everyone sees it instantly.

Why people like Supabase:

• You can set it up in minutes, not weeks.
• It’s open-source, so you’re not locked into one company forever.
• You can start without deep technical skills and grow from there.

Step 2: Create a Supabase Account

1. Go to Supabase.com and click Start Your Project.
2. Sign up using GitHub, your email, or another option.
3. Once inside, you’ll see the Supabase Dashboard — your control room for managing your app’s “back office.”

Step 3: Create Your First Supabase Project

1. Click New Project.
2. Name your project (this can be anything).
3. Create a database password (keep it safe; you’ll need it later).
4. Choose the region closest to your main audience for speed.
5. Click Create New Project.

Supabase will now “set up the shop” for you — this takes less than a minute.

Step 4: Explore the Supabase Dashboard

Here’s where you’ll find the main parts of Supabase:

• Database: Where all your information lives.
• Authentication: Where you control user accounts.
• Storage: Where you upload and manage files.
• API Docs: Instructions on how your app can talk to Supabase.

Step 5: Create a Database Table in Supabase

Tables are like sheets in Excel — each one stores a different type of information.

Example: For a to-do list app, you might create a table called tasks with:

• An ID number for each task
• The text of the task
• Whether it’s done or not

In the dashboard:

1. Go to Database → Tables → New Table.
2. Name it tasks (or whatever you like).
3. Add your columns (ID, task description, status).
4. Click Save.

Step 6: Query Data with Supabase Client

Supabase automatically gives you a way to add, edit, and get your data through an API (a simple way for apps to talk to Supabase).

If you want to try it in code, here’s a quick example in JavaScript:

let { data, error } = await
.from('tasks')
.select('*')

💡 Tip: Don’t worry if this looks unfamiliar — you can copy and paste code like this into an example project just to see how it works.

Step 7: Set Up Supabase Authentication

Want people to log in? Supabase makes it easy:

1. Go to Authentication → Settings.
2. Choose login methods like Email/Password or Google Sign-In.
3. Your app can then connect to Supabase so users can create accounts and sign in securely.

Example signup code:

const { data, error } = await supabase.auth.signUp({
email: 'user@example.com',
password: 'securepassword'
})

Step 8: Manage Files with Supabase Storage

Need to save images, documents, or videos? Supabase Storage is like your app’s online folder.

Example: For profile pictures, create a folder (called a “bucket”) called avatars and upload images there. You can choose whether the bucket is public or private.

const { data, error } = await supabase.storage
.from('avatars')
.upload('user1.png'), file

Step 9: Use Supabase Real-Time Features

Real-time means if someone changes data, everyone sees it instantly — perfect for things like chat apps. Supabase can automatically push these updates to connected users without refreshing the app.

.channel('public:tasks')
.on('postgres_changes', { event: '*', schema: 'public', table: 'tasks' }, payload => {
console.log('Change received!', payload)
})
.subscribe()

Step 10: Deploy Your Supabase-Connected App

You can now connect your Supabase backend to:

• A website (built with tools like Webflow, React, or even plain HTML)
• A mobile app (built with Flutter, React Native, or Natively.dev)

⚠️ Security tip: Keep your “service role key” safe and only use it in server-side environments. For browser apps, use the “public anon key.”

Conclusion: From Backend to Mobile App

You’ve just built the backend for an app without coding it from scratch. You now have:

• A working database
• Secure user logins
• File storage
• Real-time features

Next Step: Turn Your Supabase Project into a Mobile App with Natively.dev 🚀

Now that your Supabase backend is ready, you can bring your app idea to life on mobile.

With Natively.dev, you can:

• Connect your Supabase data directly to a native iOS or Android app
• Add features like push notifications and payments
• Publish to the App Store and Google Play without deep technical work

You’ve got the backend ready — now make the app your users will love. Start with Natively.dev today.