Frequently Asked
Questions

Natively is an AI-powered platform that builds native iOS and Android mobile apps from simple text descriptions. Describe your app idea in plain English (or any language), and our AI generates a complete, production-ready application using React Native and Expo. You get full source code ownership with no vendor lock-in.

With Natively, you can make a native mobile app online in minutes. Simply sign up at natively.dev, describe your app idea in the prompt box, and our AI will generate a complete React Native app. You can preview it instantly in your browser or on your phone with Expo Go. No software installation, no coding required—everything runs in your browser.

Yes! Natively is specifically designed for building mobile apps without coding. Just describe what you want in natural language, and our AI generates the complete app including UI, functionality, and backend integration. You don't need to know Swift, Kotlin, or JavaScript—simply explain your vision and the AI handles all the technical implementation.

No coding experience is required to get started. Simply describe your app idea and Natively's AI will generate the complete native mobile application for you. However, having coding knowledge allows you to customize and extend your app further using our built-in code editor or by exporting to your own development environment.

You can build virtually any type of mobile app including social media apps, e-commerce stores, fitness trackers, food delivery apps, productivity tools, education apps, games, and more. Natively excels at building apps with beautiful UI, database integration, user authentication, and API connections. For very complex apps requiring specialized native modules, you may need engineering help at some point.

Absolutely! Natively is designed for professional use. Many users build commercial apps, startup MVPs, and business tools with our platform. You own 100% of the generated code and can monetize your apps however you choose.

Unlike drag-and-drop builders that create web wrappers or PWAs, Natively generates true native code using React Native and Expo—the same technology powering apps like Discord, Shopify, and Instagram. You get full source code ownership, GitHub integration, and the ability to publish to both app stores. There's no vendor lock-in, and you can export your code anytime.

Yes, Natively is a completely online mobile app builder. Everything runs in your browser—no software to download or install. You can build, preview, edit, and export your app entirely online. The AI generates native code that runs on real iOS and Android devices, making it a true online native app development platform.

Natively uses Expo SDK 54, the latest version of Expo's development framework. This includes support for Apple's new Liquid Glass design system introduced in iOS 26, giving your apps a modern, premium look out of the box with glassmorphic UI elements and beautiful visual effects.

Yes! Natively apps are fully native apps built with React Native and powered by Expo, the #1 cross-platform framework that powers Discord, Shopify, Coinbase, Instagram, and nearly 30% of the top 100 apps on the App Store. They compile to native code for iOS and Android, delivering optimal performance, full device feature access, and a native user experience.

A React Native app builder is a tool that creates mobile apps using React Native, a framework for building native iOS and Android apps with JavaScript. Natively is an AI-powered React Native app builder that generates production-ready React Native code from text descriptions—no need to write code manually. You get full React Native projects with TypeScript, Expo configuration, and best practices built-in.

Yes! With Natively, you can build iOS apps entirely online without owning a Mac. Our online iOS app builder lets you create, preview, and code iOS apps from any computer—Windows, Mac, or Linux. You can test your app using Expo Go on a real iPhone, and when ready to publish, use Expo Launch to submit to the App Store without needing Xcode or a Mac.

Absolutely! Natively is an online Android app builder that runs entirely in your browser. You can create Android apps, preview them in real-time, generate APK files for testing, and build AAB files for Google Play Store—all online without installing Android Studio or any development tools. Everything is cloud-based and accessible from any device.

Natively generates apps using React Native with TypeScript, Expo SDK 54, and modern UI libraries. For backend functionality, we integrate with Supabase (PostgreSQL database, authentication, storage, and edge functions). The generated code follows industry best practices and is clean, well-structured, and maintainable.

Yes! Natively builds cross-platform apps that work on both iOS and Android devices from a single codebase. Your app will work on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. You can also export to web as a Progressive Web App (PWA).

Cross-platform mobile app development means building one codebase that runs on multiple platforms (iOS, Android, web). Natively uses React Native and Expo for cross-platform development, allowing you to write code once and deploy everywhere. This saves time and money compared to building separate native apps for each platform while still delivering true native performance.

Absolutely! Since you own the source code, you can modify it however you like. You can edit code directly in Natively's built-in IDE, though we recommend building primarily through prompts. You can also export the code to GitHub and work on it locally with your preferred tools like VS Code or Cursor.

Natively apps can access virtually all native device features including camera, GPS/location, push notifications, Face ID/Touch ID, file system, contacts, calendar, accelerometer, gyroscope, haptics, and more. React Native with Expo provides access to 95%+ of native capabilities.

Natively apps can also run on the web as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), though our primary focus is native mobile apps. You can export your code and host the web version on platforms like Vercel or Netlify. Note that some native-only features won't work in the web version.

Natively provides multiple preview options: 1) A live web preview directly in your browser, 2) A QR code you can scan with Expo Go to run the app on your actual phone, and 3) The ability to build APK files for Android testing. We recommend using Expo Go for the most accurate native experience.

Expo Go is a free app from Expo that lets you preview your Natively app on your physical device. Download Expo Go from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), then scan the QR code shown in your Natively project. Your app will load and update in real-time as you make changes. Shake your phone to access the developer menu for reloading.

Yes! You can share your app's QR code with anyone who has Expo Go installed—they can scan it and try your app immediately. For Android users, you can also build an APK file that can be directly installed on any Android device without Expo Go.

The web preview is a quick way to see your app's layout and flow, but it may not perfectly represent the native experience. Some native-specific features, animations, and behaviors only work properly in Expo Go or the final native build. For accurate testing, always use Expo Go or build a native APK/IPA.

You can reload the preview by: 1) Clicking the "Reload Preview" button next to the preview phone in Natively, 2) If using Expo Go, shake your phone and tap "Reload" in the developer menu, or 3) Refresh the page to get a fresh connection to the server.

Natively integrates with Supabase to provide complete backend functionality: PostgreSQL database for storing data, user authentication (email, social login, magic links), cloud storage for files and images, edge functions for serverless logic, and real-time subscriptions. Just connect your Supabase project and describe what you need—the AI handles the implementation.

Go to the "More" menu (three dots) in the top right corner of your project and click "Supabase". Follow the prompts to connect your Supabase project using your project URL and API keys. Once connected, you can prompt the AI to implement any backend functionality like user authentication, database operations, or file uploads.

While Supabase is our recommended and best-supported backend, you can ask Natively to integrate with Firebase. However, this requires more manual configuration. For Firebase Auth or Push Notifications specifically, you'll need to create a custom Expo Development Build and may need external guidance.

First, connect to Supabase through the More menu. Then prompt the AI to implement authentication—it supports email/password, magic links, and can be extended to social login (Google, Apple, etc.). For social login with OAuth, you may need to create a custom Expo Development Build and follow Supabase's authentication guides.

Yes! You can integrate with any external API. Just provide the API documentation or specification in your prompt, and the AI will implement the integration. For APIs requiring authentication, we recommend implementing them through Supabase Edge Functions to keep your API keys secure.

Natively supports local notifications out of the box. For remote push notifications, you'll need to integrate with a service like Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). This requires creating a custom Expo Development Build. You can export your code and follow Expo's official push notification guides, or hire a developer to help with this setup.

For in-app purchases and subscriptions, we recommend using RevenueCat which integrates with Apple and Google's native payment systems. You'll need to export your code and create a custom Expo Development Build. For web payments or one-time purchases, you can integrate Stripe through Supabase Edge Functions.

Yes! For iOS, you can deploy to the App Store using Expo Launch—just create a GitHub repository for your project, make it public, and follow the Expo Launch workflow. For Android, Natively can build signed APK files (for testing) or AAB files (required for Google Play Store submission) directly in the platform.

With Natively's online APK builder, you can create APK files directly in your browser. Just click the Deploy button in your project, select 'Android: APK for Testing', enter your bundle identifier, and start the build. In 5-10 minutes, you'll get a download link for your APK. No need to install Android Studio or configure build tools—it's all automated in the cloud.

Yes! Natively's AAB builder runs entirely online in your browser. Click Deploy, select 'Android: AAB for Play Store', and follow the wizard. We'll automatically generate your signing key, guide you through version management, and build a production-ready AAB file for Google Play Store submission. Everything is cloud-based with no local setup required.

To publish to iOS: 1) Create a GitHub repository for your project using our GitHub integration, 2) Make the repository public, 3) Go to launch.expo.dev and enter your repository URL, 4) Follow Expo Launch's guided process to build and submit to the App Store. You'll need an Apple Developer account ($99/year).

Natively can generate signed AAB (Android App Bundle) files required for Google Play. Click the Deploy button, select 'Android: AAB for Play Store', enter your bundle identifier, set your version, download your signing key (keep it safe!), and build. Upload the AAB to Google Play Console. You'll need a Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time fee).

APK (Android Package) files can be directly installed on any Android device—great for testing and sharing with beta testers. AAB (Android App Bundle) is Google's required format for Play Store submissions since August 2021. AABs result in ~15% smaller downloads because Google Play generates optimized APKs for each device. Natively can build both formats.

Yes! Natively includes a built-in APK builder at no extra cost. Click the Deploy button, select 'Android: APK for Testing', enter your bundle identifier, and click Build. In about 5-10 minutes, you'll get a download link for your APK that you can install on any Android device.

Yes! Natively includes a built-in AAB builder for Google Play Store publishing. The process guides you through: entering your bundle identifier, setting your app version, generating and downloading your signing keystore (important: save these files!), and building your signed AAB. The entire process takes about 5-10 minutes.

A signing key (keystore) cryptographically signs your app, proving you're the legitimate developer. For AAB builds, Natively generates a keystore for you. You MUST download and safely store both the keystore file (.p12) and credentials file. Without these, you cannot publish updates to your app on Google Play—you'd have to release it as a completely new app.

Expo Launch is Expo's deployment service that simplifies publishing to app stores. It handles the complex build and submission process for you. Connect your GitHub repository, and Expo Launch will build your app in the cloud and guide you through App Store and Play Store submission. It's the recommended way to deploy Natively apps to iOS.

Yes, you have 100% ownership of your app's source code. There are no licensing fees, no revenue sharing, and no restrictions on how you use, modify, or distribute your code. The code is yours forever—you can export it, modify it, hire developers to extend it, or migrate to any platform.

You can export your code through our GitHub integration. Click the GitHub button in your project, connect your GitHub account if you haven't already, and Natively will create a repository with your complete source code. You can also download your project files directly as a ZIP.

Yes! The GitHub integration is bidirectional. Changes you make in Natively sync to your GitHub repository, and you can also push changes from your local environment back to Natively. This makes it easy to collaborate with developers or continue development outside the platform.

You get a complete, production-ready React Native project including: all source code (TypeScript/JavaScript), configuration files (app.json, package.json, etc.), assets (images, fonts), Supabase integration code if connected, and everything needed to run the app locally or deploy it. The code is clean, well-structured, and follows industry best practices.

Absolutely! Export your code to GitHub, clone it locally, and continue development with any tools you prefer—VS Code, Cursor, WebStorm, etc. You can hire developers to add features, integrate additional services, or customize the app however you need. There's no lock-in whatsoever.

Natively starts at just $5 USD per month. We offer multiple tiers with increasing prompt allowances—higher tiers give you more prompts per month, but all features are included in every plan. This includes AI app generation, real device testing, code export, APK/AAB building, and more. Check our pricing page for current plans.

We don't offer a free tier. Natively starts at $5 USD per month for 15 prompts. This includes full access to AI app generation, real device testing via Expo Go, the built-in IDE, code export, APK/AAB building, and all platform features. Our pricing is transparent with no hidden costs.

Any message you send to the AI counts as one prompt, with the exception of very simple question-and-answer exchanges. One AI agent run equals one prompt, regardless of how much work was done during that run. Whether the AI makes a small change or builds an entire feature, it's counted as a single prompt. This means you pay per interaction, not per amount of work completed.

If you hit your monthly prompt limit, you can upgrade to a higher tier for more prompts, or wait until your next billing cycle when prompts reset. We don't currently offer one-time prompt purchases outside of plan upgrades.

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. After your billing period ends, you'll lose access to send new prompts, but your projects remain accessible—we never delete anything. You can still view your apps, use them, and access the code. To continue working on your apps and send prompts, you'll need to purchase more prompts by reactivating your subscription.

Natively's pricing is transparent. Your subscription includes AI generation, preview, code editor, APK/AAB building, and GitHub integration. External costs you may encounter include: Apple Developer account ($99/year) and Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time) for app store publishing, and Supabase costs if you exceed their free tier.

If you want to create a mobile app completely for free, you'll need to download Android Studio or Xcode and develop the code yourself—a process that typically takes months to learn and implement. With Natively, we make this easy by starting at just $5 USD per month, letting you skip all the setup, installation, and coding. You don't need to download anything—build native apps entirely online in minutes instead of months, with AI handling all the technical complexity.

To make an app without coding: 1) Sign up at natively.dev (starts at $5/month), 2) Describe your app idea in natural language (e.g., "Create a fitness tracking app with workout logging"), 3) The AI generates the complete app, 4) Preview it on your phone with Expo Go, 5) Refine by describing changes you want. The entire process is conversation-based—no coding required.

Initial app generation takes about 5 minutes. Each subsequent prompt takes roughly 5 minutes to process, depending on the complexity of what you're asking. Simple apps might need 10-30 prompts (under an hour of total build time), while more feature-rich apps could take 50-100 prompts. Very complex apps with extensive functionality can require 200+ prompts. Since each prompt takes about 5 minutes, the actual development time is spread over multiple sessions as you iterate and refine.

Connect to Supabase by clicking the "More" menu (three dots) in your project and selecting "Supabase". Enter your Supabase project URL and API keys. Then simply describe what data you need: "Add a database table for user profiles with name, email, and bio fields" or "Let users save their favorite items to a database". The AI will implement the database integration automatically.

For iOS and Android: Download Expo Go from the App Store or Google Play, then scan the QR code in your Natively project. For Android only: You can also build an APK file and install it directly. For web: Use the built-in browser preview. We recommend testing on actual devices with Expo Go for the most accurate experience.

Common monetization strategies: 1) In-app purchases via RevenueCat (requires custom build), 2) Subscription model through Stripe integrated with Supabase, 3) Ads through AdMob, 4) Freemium features with paid upgrades, 5) One-time purchases. For payments, you can integrate Stripe through Supabase Edge Functions or use RevenueCat for native App Store/Play Store payments.

Yes! Connect your app to Supabase for backend functionality, then describe your social features: "Add user profiles, posts with images, like and comment functionality, and a feed showing recent posts". The AI will generate the UI, database structure, and all the functionality. You can build apps similar to Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.

First, connect to Supabase through the More menu. Then tell the AI: "Add user authentication with email and password" or "Add magic link login". The AI will implement the complete authentication flow including sign up, sign in, password reset, and protected routes. Supabase handles all the security and user management automatically.

The best way to get help is through our Discord community where our team and other builders actively help each other. Join at discord.gg/sPbqWqgcMf and post in the #feedback-and-bugs channel. We respond as quickly as we can, though we're sometimes a bit overloaded with support requests.

First, try reloading the preview—sometimes the code is updated but the preview isn't. Run your app via Expo Go for accurate testing. If the AI keeps making the same mistakes, provide more context about what you've already tried and what didn't work. You can also try rephrasing your request or breaking it into smaller steps.

If the AI seems stuck in a loop, try: 1) Providing explicit context about previous attempts, 2) Breaking your request into smaller, more specific tasks, 3) Refreshing the page to reset the session, or 4) Starting a new conversation with a clearer description of what you want to achieve.

Yes! Natively keeps a history of your project versions. You can restore to any previous state if something goes wrong. This is useful if the AI makes changes you don't want or if you want to try a different approach.

For preview issues: 1) Try reloading the preview using the reload button, 2) Check if there are error messages in the preview console, 3) Test in Expo Go which often provides more detailed error messages, 4) Refresh the entire page to get a fresh server connection. If issues persist, describe the error to the AI or ask in Discord.

The AI can only see limited Supabase logs. If you're having backend issues: 1) Go to your Supabase dashboard and check the logs there, 2) Copy any error messages and paste them into your next prompt, 3) Verify your Supabase connection in Natively's settings, 4) Check that your database tables and RLS policies are set up correctly.