React Native is a great way to build mobile apps, and it’s especially well-suited for building clones of popular apps like Uber. In this guide, we’ll show you how to build a React Native Uber clone with ZEGOCLOUD. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a working chat functionality in your Uber clone that you can use to learn React Native and build your own mobile apps.
An Overview of Uber
Uber, an industry disruptor, has completely transformed the transportation landscape since its inception in 2009. With a user-friendly mobile app and an extensive network of drivers, Uber offers a seamless and convenient alternative to traditional taxis. Not only does Uber provide a variety of ride options, from affordable to luxurious, but it also ensures cashless transactions, eliminating the hassle of handling physical currency.
Furthermore, Uber’s global presence has created economic opportunities for countless individuals who now work as independent contractors within the platform. However, Uber has encountered regulatory challenges and faced controversies in some markets.
Despite these obstacles, the company remains committed to innovation and has expanded its services to include not only ride-sharing but also food delivery and freight transportation. Through its continuous evolution, Uber has become a driving force in reshaping urban mobility and the gig economy. Its impact on the way people navigate cities is undeniable, making it a true game-changer in the modern world.
How Does Uber Work?
Uber, the renowned ride-hailing platform, operates on a remarkably straightforward and user-friendly model. To understand how Uber works, let’s take a closer look at its key components.
Firstly, Uber connects riders and drivers through a mobile app. When a user needs a ride, they open the app and enter their pickup location and destination. The app then matches them with available drivers in their vicinity.
Once a driver accepts the request, the rider receives information about the driver, including their name, photo, and vehicle details. Riders can track the driver’s real-time location as they make their way to the pickup point.
Uber utilizes GPS technology to calculate the fare based on factors like distance and duration of the ride. Riders can view the estimated cost before confirming the booking. Payments are cashless, with riders’ credit cards or other preferred payment methods linked to their Uber account.
After the ride, both riders and drivers have the option to rate each other and provide feedback. This feedback system helps maintain quality and safety standards within the Uber community.
Uber’s success can be attributed to its ability to provide reliable, on-demand transportation, flexible pricing, and a seamless user experience. It has transformed the way people travel, offering convenience and accessibility with just a few taps on a smartphone.
How to Make An app like Uber with ZEGOCLOUD SDK
Building an app like Uber requires careful planning and execution. Several elements contribute to its success, from user interface design to integrating mapping services. One critical aspect is incorporating a reliable in-app chat feature. ZEGOCLOUD’s In-app Chat SDK provides a robust solution that enables seamless communication between riders and drivers.
ZEGOCLOUD’s chat SDK empowers developers to create secure and scalable chat systems with its easy-to-use API and comprehensive documentation, enhancing the overall user experience.
Preparation
- A ZEGOCLOUD developer account – Sign up
- Get appSign and appID, and activate In-app chat functionality in ZEGOCLOUD admin console
- Install NodeJS
- Basic knowledge of React Native or JavaScript
Once you meet the aforementioned requirements, follow these steps to integrate chat functionality into your Uber clone app.
Integrate the SDK
Create a new project
- Start by creating a new React Native project called “
Zego-zim-example” using the Node.jsnpxcommand. This command-line tool allows you to effortlessly initiate the project without the hassle of installation.
npx react-native init zego-zim-example- To compile and run the project on iOS, open it in Xcode and choose Product > Run. Alternatively, you can use the following command as an alternative:
yarn react-native run-ios- To compile and run the project on Android, simply run the following command in your terminal:
yarn react-native run-androidImport the SDK
To import the In-app Chat SDK via NPM, you can follow these guidelines:
- To install the SDK, open a terminal window and navigate to your preferred directory. Then, run the following command:
npm install @zegocloud/zimkit-react-native- Effortlessly integrate the SDK into your project using the following code snippet:
import { ZIMKiti18n } from '@zegocloud/zimkit-react-native';Create a ZIM SDK instance
Clients A and B can use the create method to initialize a ZIM instance for client login. They can then use their AppIDs to create ZIM SDK instances, which will allow them to exchange messages smoothly.
/*
The ZIM SDK uses the AppSign authentication mode by default. To change the authentication mode, contact Technical Support for SDK 2.3.0 or later, or make the change independently for SDK 2.3.3 or later.
To create a ZIM SDK object, use the static synchronized create method and provide the AppID and AppSign. The create method only creates a ZIM instance on its first invocation, returning null for subsequent calls.
*/
ZIM.create({ appID: 0, appSign: '' });
// To avoid multiple null returns from hot updates, obtain a single instance of the ZIM SDK using the getInstance() method.
var zim = ZIM.getInstance();Set event callbacks
To customize event callbacks for receiving notifications such as SDK errors and message-related events, invoke the on method before the client user logs in.
// Capture error codes by configuring a callback for the error event.
zim.on('error', function (zim, errorInfo) {
console.log('error', errorInfo.code, errorInfo.message);
});
// Stay informed about connection status changes by establishing a callback for the event.
zim.on('connectionStateChanged', function (zim, { state, event, extendedData }) {
console.log('connectionStateChanged', state, event, extendedData);
});
// Effortlessly receive one-to-one messages by configuring a callback for the message event.
zim.on('receivePeerMessage', function (zim, { messageList, fromConversationID }) {
console.log('receivePeerMessage', messageList, fromConversationID);
});Log in to the ZIM SDK
To facilitate message exchange and token renewal, both client A and client B can log in to the ZIM SDK by following these concise steps:
- Utilize the
ZIMUserInfomethod to create a user object. - Login using the
loginmethod, supplying the user information and Token obtained from the initial prerequisite steps.
//User IDs must be 32 characters or less and can contain letters, numbers, and the following special characters: ~!@#$%^&*()_+-=`;',.<>/.
//Usernames must be 1 to 64 characters.
var userInfo = { userID: 'xxxx', userName: 'xxxx' };
/*
During login, use the following authentication methods:
* Token-based: Provide the token from the [Guides - Authentication] document.
* AppSign (default in SDK 2.3.0): Leave the Token field empty.
*/
zim.login(userInfo, '')
.then(function () {
// Login successful.
})
.catch(function (err) {
// Login failed.
});Send messages
To send a message, client A can use the sendMessage method and provide client B’s user ID, content, and type. Upon successful execution, you will receive the ZIMMessageSentResult, triggering the onMessageAttached event with a ZIMMessage. Utilize onMessageAttached to obtain the message’s ID or local ID before sending it.
// To send a one-on-one (1V1) message, simply configure the ZIMConversationType as Peer.
var toUserID = 'xxxx1';
var config = {
priority: 1 // Choose the desired message priority level from three options: low, medium, or high. Low is the default priority.
};
var type = 0; // The session type can be categorized as one-on-one (0), chat room (1), or group chat (2) for different communication scenarios.
var notification = {
onMessageAttached: function(message) {
// todo: Loading
}
};
// Send a 1V1 text message.
var messageTextObj = { type: 1, message: 'Text message content' };
zim.sendMessage(messageTextObj, toUserID, type, config, notification)
.then(function ({ message }) {
// Successful messages.
})
.catch(function (err) {
// Failed messages.
});Receive messages
After client B logs in, any messages sent by client A will be delivered to the callback function previously set in the receivePeerMessage method, as per your configuration.
// To receive one-to-one messages, establish a callback registration.
zim.on('receivePeerMessage', function (zim, { messageList, fromConversationID }) {
console.log('receivePeerMessage', messageList, fromConversationID);
});Log out
To initiate the logout process for the client, simply use the logout method.
zim.logout();Destroy the ZIM SDK instance
To remove the ZIM SDK instance, invoke the destroy method to dismantle it completely.
zim.destroy();Run a Demo
Explore the full potential of ZEGOCLOUD’s In-app Chat SDK by checking out our React Native sample app.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey of building an Uber clone using React Native not only allows you to grasp the fundamentals of this powerful framework but also enables you to craft a fully operational mobile application. By diligently following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to develop a convincing replica of Uber with a touch of your own creativity and unique features, making your app shine in its own distinctive way. Sign up for 10000 free minutes to get started with ZEGOCLOUD’s In-app Chat SDK!
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