react-native-bootsplash and react-native-splash-screen are both libraries designed to manage native splash screens in React Native applications. They enable developers to display a branded launch screen while the app initializes and then programmatically hide it once the JavaScript bundle is ready. This improves perceived performance and user experience during app startup by replacing the default blank screen with a custom visual.
Both react-native-bootsplash and react-native-splash-screen aim to solve the same core problem in React Native apps: showing a native splash screen during app startup and hiding it programmatically once your JavaScript bundle is ready. However, their implementation approaches, maintenance status, and developer experience differ significantly. Let’s break down what you need to know before choosing one for your project.
react-native-splash-screen is no longer actively maintained. Its GitHub repository (https://github.com/crazycodeboy/react-native-splash-screen) shows no meaningful updates since 2020, and the npm page includes a clear deprecation notice recommending users migrate to alternatives like react-native-bootsplash. Using unmaintained packages in production carries real risks — compatibility issues with newer React Native versions, unpatched bugs, and lack of support for modern platform requirements (like Android 12+ splash screen APIs).
react-native-bootsplash, by contrast, is actively maintained with regular updates, comprehensive documentation, and explicit support for the latest iOS and Android splash screen standards. It even provides a CLI tool to automate native configuration.
🛑 Bottom line: Do not use
react-native-splash-screenin new projects. If you’re on an existing project using it, plan a migration.
react-native-splash-screen requires manual native code setup:
AppDelegate.m to initialize the module and set up the splash view.MainActivity.java.Example Android setup (MainActivity.java):
import android.os.Bundle;
import com.crazycodeboy.RNSplashScreen.RNSplashScreen;
public class MainActivity extends ReactActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
RNSplashScreen.show(this); // Add this line
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
}
}
react-native-bootsplash simplifies this with automated tooling:
npx react-native generate-bootsplash to auto-generate native assets and config.SplashScreen API via Jetpack).Example iOS setup (AppDelegate.mm):
#import "RNBootSplash.h"
// Inside didFinishLaunchingWithOptions
[RNBootSplash initWithStoryboard:@"BootSplash" rootView:rootView];
The CLI handles creating the BootSplash.storyboard file automatically.
react-native-splash-screen uses legacy splash screen patterns:
FrameLayout overlays, which can cause flickering or layout issues on newer OS versions.react-native-bootsplash embraces platform-specific best practices:
android.window.SplashScreen API when available.This means better compliance with App Store/Play Store guidelines and fewer visual glitches during startup.
Both packages provide a JavaScript method to hide the splash screen, but with different ergonomics:
react-native-splash-screen:
import SplashScreen from 'react-native-splash-screen';
// Hide after app is ready
SplashScreen.hide();
react-native-bootsplash:
import BootSplash from 'react-native-bootsplash';
// Hide with optional fade animation
BootSplash.hide({ fade: true });
react-native-bootsplash also offers additional utilities like getVisibilityStatus() to check if the splash is still visible — useful for debugging timing issues.
react-native-splash-screen requires you to manually:
react-native-bootsplash automates asset generation:
Example CLI command:
npx react-native generate-bootsplash assets/logo.png \
--background-color=ffffff \
--logo-width=100 \
--assets-path=assets
This reduces human error and saves significant setup time.
If you’re stuck with react-native-splash-screen in an existing app, migrating to react-native-bootsplash involves:
generate-bootsplash CLISplashScreen.hide() calls with BootSplash.hide()The official docs include a detailed migration guide.
| Feature | react-native-splash-screen | react-native-bootsplash |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Status | ❌ Deprecated | ✅ Actively maintained |
| Native Setup | Manual code edits | CLI automation + clean integration |
| Android 12+ Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (official API) |
| iOS Storyboard Support | ⚠️ Partial | ✅ Full |
| Dark Mode | ❌ Manual implementation | ✅ Built-in |
| Asset Generation | ❌ Manual | ✅ Automated |
| Error Handling | Minimal | Detailed debug logs |
Use react-native-bootsplash for all new projects. Its active maintenance, modern platform compliance, and developer-friendly tooling make it the clear choice. The initial setup is faster, it avoids deprecated patterns, and you’ll benefit from ongoing updates as mobile platforms evolve.
Avoid react-native-splash-screen entirely unless you’re maintaining a legacy app with no migration budget — and even then, prioritize upgrading.
Choose react-native-bootsplash for all new React Native projects. It's actively maintained, supports modern iOS and Android splash screen standards (including Android 12+), provides CLI tooling for automated setup, handles dark mode out of the box, and avoids the flickering issues common with older approaches. Its comprehensive documentation and regular updates ensure compatibility with current and future React Native versions.
Do not choose react-native-splash-screen for new projects — it's officially deprecated with no active maintenance since 2020. Only consider it if you're maintaining a legacy application where migration isn't immediately feasible, but plan to upgrade to a supported alternative like react-native-bootsplash as soon as possible to avoid compatibility issues and security risks.
Show a splash screen during app startup. Hide it when you are ready.
For migration from the v6, check the MIGRATION.md guide.
This library follows the React Native releases support policy.
It is supporting the latest version, and the two previous minor series.
$ npm install --save react-native-bootsplash
# --- or ---
$ yarn add react-native-bootsplash
⚠️ Don't forget going into the ios directory to execute a pod install.
In order to speed up the setup, we provide a CLI to generate assets, update config files, create the Android Drawable XML file and the iOS Storyboard file automatically ✨.
$ npx react-native-bootsplash generate --help
# --- or ---
$ yarn react-native-bootsplash generate --help
The command can take multiple arguments:
Usage: react-native-bootsplash generate [options] <logo>
Generate a launch screen using a logo file path (PNG or SVG)
Arguments:
logo Logo file path (PNG or SVG)
Options:
--platforms <list> Platforms to generate for, separated by a comma (default: "android,ios,web")
--background <string> Background color (in hexadecimal format) (default: "#fff")
--logo-width <number> Logo width at @1x (in dp - we recommend approximately ~100) (default: 100)
--assets-output <string> Assets output directory path (default: "assets/bootsplash")
--flavor <string> Android flavor build variant (where your resource directory is) (default: "main")
--html <string> HTML template file path (your web app entry point) (default: "public/index.html")
--plist <string> Custom Info.plist file path
--license-key <string> License key to enable brand and dark mode assets generation
--brand <string> Brand file path (PNG or SVG)
--brand-width <number> Brand width at @1x (in dp - we recommend approximately ~80) (default: 80)
--dark-background <string> [dark mode] Background color (in hexadecimal format)
--dark-logo <string> [dark mode] Logo file path (PNG or SVG)
--dark-brand <string> [dark mode] Brand file path (PNG or SVG)
-h, --help display help for command
In order to use the --brand, --brand-width and --dark-* options, you must specify a --license-key.
With it, the generator is able to output over 50 files (logo and brand images generated in all pixel densities, dark mode versions, etc.), saving you (and your company!) a massive amount of time not only at creation, but also at each adjustment ⏱️
📍 This license key grants unlimited and unrestricted usage of the generator for the buyer's purposes (meaning you can execute the assets generation as much as you want).
# Without license key
yarn react-native-bootsplash generate svgs/light-logo.svg \
--platforms=android,ios,web \
--background=F5FCFF \
--logo-width=100 \
--assets-output=assets/bootsplash \
--flavor=main \
--html=public/index.html
# With license key 🔑
yarn react-native-bootsplash generate svgs/light-logo.svg \
--platforms=android,ios,web \
--background=F5FCFF \
--logo-width=100 \
--assets-output=assets/bootsplash \
--flavor=main \
--html=public/index.html \
--license-key=xxxxx \
--brand=svgs/light-brand.svg \
--brand-width=80 \
--dark-background=00090A \
--dark-logo=svgs/dark-logo.svg \
--dark-brand=svgs/dark-brand.svg
This tool relies on the naming conventions that are used in the /example project and will therefore create / update the following files:
# Without license key
android/app/src/main/res/drawable-mdpi/bootsplash_logo.png
android/app/src/main/res/drawable-hdpi/bootsplash_logo.png
android/app/src/main/res/drawable-xhdpi/bootsplash_logo.png
android/app/src/main/res/drawable-xxhdpi/bootsplash_logo.png
android/app/src/main/res/drawable-xxxhdpi/bootsplash_logo.png
android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
android/app/src/main/res/values/colors.xml
android/app/src/main/res/values/styles.xml
ios/YourApp/BootSplash.storyboard
ios/YourApp/Colors.xcassets/BootSplashBackground-<hash>.colorset/Contents.json
ios/YourApp/Images.xcassets/BootSplashLogo-<hash>.imageset/Contents.json
ios/YourApp/Images.xcassets/BootSplashLogo-<hash>.imageset/logo-<hash>.png
ios/YourApp/Images.xcassets/BootSplashLogo-<hash>.imageset/logo-<hash>@2x.png
ios/YourApp/Images.xcassets/BootSplashLogo-<hash>.imageset/logo-<hash>@3x.png
ios/YourApp/Info.plist
ios/YourApp.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
public/index.html
assets/bootsplash/manifest.json
assets/bootsplash/logo.png
assets/bootsplash/logo@1,5x.png
assets/bootsplash/logo@2x.png
assets/bootsplash/logo@3x.png
assets/bootsplash/logo@4x.png
# + Over 40 files with license key 🔑 (brand images, dark mode versions…)

expo-splash-screen:$ npm uninstall expo-splash-screen
# --- or ---
$ yarn remove expo-splash-screen
app.json:{
"expo": {
+ "platforms": ["android", "ios", "web"], // must be explicit
"plugins": [
- [
- "expo-splash-screen",
- {
- "image": "./assets/images/splash-icon.png",
- "imageWidth": 200,
- "resizeMode": "contain",
- "backgroundColor": "#ffffff"
- }
- ],
+ [
+ "react-native-bootsplash",
+ {
+ "logo": "./assets/logo.png",
+ "logoWidth": 100,
+ "background": "#f5fcff"
+ // …
+ }
+ ]
]
}
}
📌 The available plugins options are:
type PluginOptions = {
android?: {
darkContentBarsStyle?: boolean; // Enforce system bars style (default: undefined)
};
logo: string; // Logo file path (PNG or SVG) - required
background?: string; // Background color (in hexadecimal format) (default: "#fff")
logoWidth?: number; // Logo width at @1x (in dp - we recommend approximately ~100) (default: 100)
assetsOutput?: string; // Assets output directory path (default: "assets/bootsplash")
// Addon options
licenseKey?: string; // License key to enable brand and dark mode assets generation
brand?: string; // Brand file path (PNG or SVG)
brandWidth?: number; // Brand width at @1x (in dp - we recommend approximately ~80) (default: 80)
darkBackground?: string; // [dark mode] Background color (in hexadecimal format)
darkLogo?: string; // [dark mode] Logo file path (PNG or SVG)
darkBrand?: string; // [dark mode] Brand file path (PNG or SVG)
};
Edit your ios/YourApp/AppDelegate.swift file:
import ReactAppDependencyProvider
import RNBootSplash // ⬅️ add this import
// …
class ReactNativeDelegate: RCTDefaultReactNativeFactoryDelegate {
// …
// ⬇️ override this method
override func customize(_ rootView: RCTRootView) {
super.customize(rootView)
RNBootSplash.initWithStoryboard("BootSplash", rootView: rootView) // ⬅️ initialize the splash screen
}
}
Edit your android/app/src/main/java/com/yourapp/MainActivity.kt file:
// ⬇️ add these required imports
import android.os.Bundle
import com.zoontek.rnbootsplash.RNBootSplash
// …
class MainActivity : ReactActivity() {
// …
override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
RNBootSplash.init(this, R.style.BootTheme) // ⬅️ initialize the splash screen
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
}
}
// ⬇️ add these required imports
import android.os.Bundle
import com.swmansion.rnscreens.fragment.restoration.RNScreensFragmentFactory
import com.zoontek.rnbootsplash.RNBootSplash
// …
class MainActivity : ReactActivity() {
// …
override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
supportFragmentManager.fragmentFactory = RNScreensFragmentFactory()
RNBootSplash.init(this, R.style.BootTheme) // ⬅️ initialize the splash screen
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
}
}
// ⬇️ add these required imports
import android.os.Bundle
import com.zoontek.rnbootsplash.RNBootSplash
// …
class MainActivity : ReactActivity() {
// …
override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
RNBootSplash.init(this, R.style.BootTheme) // ⬅️ initialize the splash screen
super.onCreate(null)
}
}
ℹ️ Refer to previous package documentation for setup steps with React Native < 0.80.
Hide the splash screen (immediately, or with a fade out).
type hide = (config?: { fade?: boolean }) => Promise<void>;
import { useEffect } from "react";
import { Text } from "react-native";
import BootSplash from "react-native-bootsplash";
const App = () => {
useEffect(() => {
const init = async () => {
// …do multiple sync or async tasks
};
init().finally(async () => {
await BootSplash.hide({ fade: true });
console.log("BootSplash has been hidden successfully");
});
}, []);
return <Text>My awesome app</Text>;
};
Return the current visibility status of the native splash screen.
type isVisible = () => boolean;
import BootSplash from "react-native-bootsplash";
if (BootSplash.isVisible()) {
// Do something
}
A hook to easily create a custom hide animation by animating all splash screen elements using Animated, react-native-reanimated or else (similar as the video on top of this documentation).
type useHideAnimation = (config: {
ready?: boolean; // a boolean flag to delay the animate execution (default: true)
// the required generated assets
manifest: Manifest; // the manifest file is generated in your assets directory
logo?: ImageRequireSource;
darkLogo?: ImageRequireSource;
brand?: ImageRequireSource;
darkBrand?: ImageRequireSource;
// specify if you are using translucent status / navigation bars
// in order to avoid a shift between the native and JS splash screen
statusBarTranslucent?: boolean;
navigationBarTranslucent?: boolean;
animate: () => void;
}) => {
container: ContainerProps;
logo: LogoProps;
brand: BrandProps;
};
import { useState } from "react";
import { Animated, Image } from "react-native";
import BootSplash from "react-native-bootsplash";
type Props = {
onAnimationEnd: () => void;
};
const AnimatedBootSplash = ({ onAnimationEnd }: Props) => {
const [opacity] = useState(() => new Animated.Value(1));
const { container, logo /*, brand */ } = BootSplash.useHideAnimation({
manifest: require("../assets/bootsplash/manifest.json"),
logo: require("../assets/bootsplash/logo.png"),
// darkLogo: require("../assets/bootsplash/dark-logo.png"),
// brand: require("../assets/bootsplash/brand.png"),
// darkBrand: require("../assets/bootsplash/dark-brand.png"),
animate: () => {
// Perform animations and call onAnimationEnd
Animated.timing(opacity, {
useNativeDriver: true,
toValue: 0,
duration: 500,
}).start(() => {
onAnimationEnd();
});
},
});
return (
<Animated.View {...container} style={[container.style, { opacity }]}>
<Image {...logo} />
{/* <Image {...brand} /> */}
</Animated.View>
);
};
const App = () => {
const [visible, setVisible] = useState(true);
return (
<View style={{ flex: 1 }}>
{/* content */}
{visible && (
<AnimatedBootSplash
onAnimationEnd={() => {
setVisible(false);
}}
/>
)}
</View>
);
};
This example is simple for documentation purpose (we only animate the container).
🤙 A more complex example is available in the /example folder.
By default, the system bars uses dark-content in light mode and light-content in dark mode. To enforce a specific value, edit your values/styles.xml file:
<resources>
<!-- … -->
<style name="BootTheme" parent="Theme.BootSplash">
<item name="darkContentBarsStyle">true</item>
<!-- … -->
</style>
</resources>
For the sake of simplicity. Since the light and dark versions of your assets are likely identical (except for the colors), if your index.html file is compressed with gzip, the size difference will be negligible.
If you are using React Navigation, you can hide the splash screen once the navigation container and all children have finished mounting by using the onReady function.
import { NavigationContainer } from "@react-navigation/native";
import BootSplash from "react-native-bootsplash";
const App = () => (
<NavigationContainer
onReady={() => {
BootSplash.hide();
}}
>
{/* content */}
</NavigationContainer>
);
Testing code which uses this library requires some setup since we need to mock the native methods.
To add the mocks, create a file jest/setup.js (or any other file name) containing the following code:
jest.mock("react-native-bootsplash", () => {
return {
hide: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(),
isVisible: jest.fn(),
useHideAnimation: jest.fn().mockReturnValue({
container: {},
logo: { source: 0 },
brand: { source: 0 },
}),
};
});
After that, we need to add the setup file in the jest config. You can add it under setupFiles option in your jest config file:
{
"setupFiles": ["<rootDir>/jest/setup.js"]
}
This module is provided as is, I work on it in my free time.
If you or your company uses it in a production app, consider sponsoring this project 💰. You also can contact me for premium enterprise support: help with issues, prioritize bugfixes, feature requests, etc.