How to Convert a v0 Project to a Mobile App
Short answer: you can't convert it directly. But you can rebuild it as a native app fast. Here's how.
Founder, Natively
You've prototyped something with v0 and now you want it on the App Store or Google Play. That's a natural next step — v0 makes it fast to go from an idea to a polished interface. But here's the thing: v0 builds web applications. Web apps run in browsers. They don't run natively on iPhones or Android devices. There's no export button that turns your v0 project into a mobile app, and wrapping it in a WebView is a dead end. Let me explain why, and what actually works.
Key Takeaways
- v0 builds web apps — it generates React and Next.js code with shadcn/ui and Tailwind CSS, all of which run in the browser
- There is no "export to mobile" option — web code and native mobile code are fundamentally different technologies
- Wrapping it in a WebView gets rejected by Apple (guideline 4.2) and gives users a poor experience on both platforms
- The real path is to rebuild your app idea as a native mobile app using a framework like React Native
What v0 Actually Builds
v0 is an AI-powered development tool from Vercel. You describe a UI or feature in plain English, and it generates working code — React components styled with Tailwind CSS and the shadcn/ui component library. You can iterate on the design, add functionality, and deploy it as a website in one click.
The output is always a web application. Whether you're building a dashboard, landing page, SaaS tool, or admin panel, v0 generates HTML, CSS, and JavaScript meant to run in a browser. It can deploy to Vercel for hosting, and the tech stack is Next.js — a web framework.
Web Apps vs. Native Mobile Apps
This is the fundamental issue. A web app renders in a browser engine using HTML and CSS. A native mobile app compiles to platform-specific code that runs directly on the device — UIKit or SwiftUI on iOS, Android SDK on Android. They use completely different rendering pipelines, navigation models, and API access patterns.
What This Means for Your v0 Project
No matter how polished your v0 project looks, it's running web code. It renders <div> elements, not native Views. It uses CSS for layout, not native stack and flex containers. It can't access device APIs like push notifications, the camera, biometrics, or offline storage in the way native apps can. And there's no tool that can automatically convert one to the other.
Even Server-Side Rendering Doesn't Help
v0 projects typically use Next.js, which supports server-side rendering. That's a performance optimization for the web — it doesn't change the fundamental output. The client-side code still runs in a browser context, using browser APIs and the DOM. None of that translates to native mobile.
Why You Can't Just Convert It
I see this question a lot, and I want to give a straight answer. There is no converter, plugin, or export tool that transforms v0 web code into a native mobile app. Here's why that's technically impossible:
Different UI Primitives
v0 generates React components that render to the DOM — <div>, <span>, <button>, <input>. Native mobile apps use completely different primitives. iOS uses UIView, UILabel, UIButton. Android uses View, TextView, Button. React Native bridges this gap with its own components (View, Text, Pressable) that compile to the native equivalents. But v0's web components can't be mapped to native ones automatically — they're built on different assumptions.
Different Navigation Patterns
Web apps navigate between URLs using a router. Mobile apps use navigation stacks — push screens onto a stack, swipe back to go to the previous one, present modals, switch between tabs. These patterns are deeply expected by mobile users. A web app inside a mobile shell doesn't get any of this for free, and faking it with CSS transitions feels immediately wrong.
No Access to Native Device APIs
Mobile users expect apps to send push notifications, use Face ID or fingerprint authentication, access the camera, work offline, and integrate with the system. A web app — even one that looks like a mobile app — can't do most of these things properly. Push notifications on iOS require APNs (Apple Push Notification service), which needs native code. Same for HealthKit, Bluetooth, NFC, widgets, and Siri shortcuts.
What About shadcn/ui Components?
shadcn/ui is a great component library — for the web. It's built on Radix UI primitives that render to HTML. These components don't exist in the React Native ecosystem. A mobile app needs native-equivalent components: React Native's built-in primitives, Expo modules, or libraries designed specifically for mobile.
Why Wrapping Your v0 App Won't Work Either
The next thing most people consider is wrapping — using Capacitor, Cordova, or a plain WebView to package the web app inside a native shell. You get an app icon on the home screen and can technically submit to the app stores. But here's what you're actually signing up for:
Two paths to the App Store
Wrapped Web App vs. Native App
React / Next.js / shadcn/ui
WebView Wrapper
Capacitor / Cordova
App Store
NativelyDescribe your app idea with AI
Real Native Code
React Native + Expo → .ipa / .apk
App Store & Google PlayUser Experience Problems
- ✗Scrolling feels wrong — no native momentum, rubber banding, or inertia
- ✗Transitions and animations look janky compared to real apps
- ✗Keyboard behavior, text selection, and inputs feel off
- ✗No native gestures — swipe back, long press menus, haptic feedback
App Store Rejection Risks
- ✗Apple's guideline 4.2 rejects apps that are repackaged websites
- ✗Google Play flags low-quality WebView apps under spam policies
- ✗Even if the first version passes, updates can get rejected later
- ✗Users leave poor reviews — they can tell it's not a real app
Apple's Guideline 4.2 — Minimum Functionality
Apple explicitly states: "Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website." Apps that are essentially a web view wrapping a website are routinely rejected. This applies directly to wrapping a v0 project in Capacitor or a similar tool and submitting it. Google Play has similar minimum functionality policies that flag WebView-only apps.
For a technical breakdown of why this matters, see our guide on native code vs WebView wrappers.
Want Your App Idea on iOS and Android?
Instead of trying to convert a web app, build a real native iOS and Android app with Natively. Describe your idea, and our AI generates production-ready React Native code — the same technology powering Instagram, Shopify, and Discord.
The Right Way: Build a Native App From Your Idea
If you have a v0 project and you want it on the App Store or Google Play, the answer is to build a native mobile app. Your v0 work isn't wasted — you've already validated your idea, designed the interface, and figured out the user flows. That thinking carries straight over.
What you need is a tool that builds native mobile apps, not web apps. That's what Natively does.
How Natively Works
Natively works like v0 in the sense that you describe what you want in plain English and AI builds it for you. The key difference is the output: Natively generates React Native + Expo apps that compile to actual native iOS and Android code. Not web code in a shell — real native code that renders native UI components, uses native navigation, and has full access to device APIs. If you're curious about how the two tools compare side by side, we have a detailed v0 vs. Natively comparison.
From v0 Idea to the App Stores
- 1Use your v0 project as a blueprint
You've already designed the UI, figured out the features, and worked out the user flows. That's your starting point.
- 2Describe your app in Natively
Tell the AI what your app does. Reference the features and screens from your v0 project — be as specific as you want.
- 3Get a real native app generated
Natively creates a React Native + Expo project with native UI components, proper mobile navigation, and full device API access — for both iOS and Android.
- 4Preview on your phone
Test it instantly on your real device with Expo Go — scan a QR code and see it running natively. Or build an APK for Android testing directly from the dashboard.
- 5Deploy to the App Store and Google Play
Build and submit to both stores. You own 100% of the source code — export it to GitHub anytime with no vendor lock-in.
What Carries Over From Your v0 Project
Going native doesn't mean starting over from scratch. Here's what transfers from your v0 work:
Your Product Thinking
The most valuable thing you built in v0 isn't the code — it's the clarity about what your app should do, how users should navigate it, and what features matter. That's a direct input to your prompt in Natively.
Your Backend and APIs
If your v0 project connects to a backend — Supabase, a custom REST API, or any external service — your native app can connect to the exact same backend. Natively supports Supabase out of the box and can connect to any API. One backend, two frontends.
Your Design Language
The visual design decisions you made in v0 — color palette, typography choices, layout structure — all inform your mobile app. You won't get pixel-perfect parity (mobile has its own conventions), but the design intent carries over when you describe it to Natively's AI.
Running Both a Web App and a Mobile App
You don't have to pick one. Many products have both a web app and native mobile apps. Keep your v0 project live as your web version while your Natively app serves mobile users. Same product, optimized for each platform, sharing the same backend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I directly convert my v0 project to a mobile app?
No. v0 generates web applications using React, Next.js, and shadcn/ui. These are fundamentally different from native mobile apps. There is no converter or export tool that can transform web code into native mobile code.
Does v0 support building mobile apps?
No. v0 is a web-focused tool. It generates React components with Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui for browser-based interfaces. It does not support React Native, Expo, or any native mobile framework. Community discussions on Vercel's forums confirm that v0's "Add to Codebase" feature creates Next.js projects, not mobile projects.
Can I wrap my v0 web app and put it on the App Store?
You can try using Capacitor or a WebView wrapper, but Apple routinely rejects these under App Store guideline 4.2. Google Play has similar policies. Even if it gets through review, users can tell it's not a real native app and will leave poor reviews.
Do I have to start from scratch?
No. Your product concept, features, user flows, design language, and backend all carry over. You're rebuilding the frontend in a native framework, not starting your product over. With Natively, you describe what you want and the native app gets generated by AI — so the rebuild is fast.
What is React Native, and is it really native?
React Native is a framework created by Meta that compiles to actual native iOS and Android components. It's not a web view — it renders real native UI elements. It powers production apps at Instagram, Shopify, Discord, Coinbase, and thousands of others. Natively uses React Native + Expo to generate your apps.
Can I use my existing Supabase database with the mobile app?
Yes. If your v0 project already connects to Supabase, your native app built with Natively can use the same Supabase project. Your data, auth configuration, and storage all stay the same — only the frontend changes.
How much does it cost to build a native app with Natively?
Natively starts at $5/month. You get full source code ownership and can export to GitHub at any time. Compare that to hiring a mobile developer, which typically costs $50,000+.