React-native-firebase: Integration without CocoaPods fails

[jaschaio]

I can't get this to work without using CocoaPods. This is the error I am getting when I try react-native run-ios or building in XCode.

Undefined symbols for architecture x86_64:
  "_OBJC_CLASS_$_FIRAnalytics", referenced from:
      objc-class-ref in libRNFirebase.a(RNFirebaseAnalytics.o)
  "_OBJC_CLASS_$_FIRAnalyticsConfiguration", referenced from:
      objc-class-ref in libRNFirebase.a(RNFirebaseAnalytics.o)
  "_OBJC_CLASS_$_FIRApp", referenced from:
      objc-class-ref in libRNFirebase.a(RNFirebase.o)
      objc-class-ref in libRNFirebase.a(RNFirebaseUtil.o)
  "_OBJC_CLASS_$_FIRInstanceID", referenced from:
      objc-class-ref in libRNFirebase.a(RNFirebaseInstanceId.o)
  "_OBJC_CLASS_$_FIROptions", referenced from:
      objc-class-ref in libRNFirebase.a(RNFirebase.o)
ld: symbol(s) not found for architecture x86_64

I think that the react-native link react-native-firebase is maybe causing the issue as suggested by @chrisbianca in https://github.com/invertase/react-native-firebase/issues/602#issuecomment-346435976

Is it possible that there is still some incompability issue with any version of React Native above 0.50?

If I run react-native unlink react-native-firebase the build succeeds but I get obviously an error message when running the app.

React Native Version: 0.55.4
React Native Firebase Version: 4.1.0
Firebase SDK Version: 4.13.0

This is exactly what I have done step by step:

Followed the Steps of the Initial Installation:

• npm install --save react-native-firebase

Than the steps specific for iOS:

• Adding #import <Firebase.h> at the top of AppDelegate.m
• Adding [FIRApp configure]; at the beginning of didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions within the same file

I than downloaded the Firebase 4.13.0 SDK Files and included the files following @AndreiCalazans suggestions in https://github.com/invertase/react-native-firebase/issues/1016#issuecomment-384027481:

Create a Firebase folder in root/ios/Firebase.

Copy the folder Analytics, the module.modulemap file and Firebase.h inside to root/ios/Firebase.

Added $(SRCROOT)/Firebase to both the Header Search Paths and Framework Search Paths.

Search for Other Linker Settings and made sure that the -ObjC flag is set

Last but not least I executed react-native link react-native-firebase.

I tried as well following the Firebase SDK Readme File instead of the above process, but without success. Whenever I try linking react-native-firebase I get the above error.

Another thing I tried was the suggested solution from @paldepind in #602 of rm /node_modules/react-native-firebase/ios/RNFirebase.podspec before linking but it didn't help.

[jaschaio]

It seems that the error was caused by missing some framework within the Link Binaries with Library Step.

For anybody having the same problem, following these exact steps finally worked for me:

First of all we need to download our GoogleService-Info.plist from the Firebase Console and save it to our /ios/AppName/ Folder.

Than we have to add it as well to our XCode Project.

Open the Project in XCode and click on File » Add Files to … and select the GoogleService-Info.plist we just downloaded. Make sure that it is included within the right build target and check Copy files if needed.

Now we have to add the Firebase SDK to our Project without using CocoaPods (Which is the recommended option but will likely break other dependencies).

Start by downloading the Firebase SDK Version 4.13.0.
(5.0.0 will break at time of this writing because its not yet compatible with react-native-firebase)

Unzip it and open the Analytics subfolder.

Within XCode's Project Navigator Pane (Press ⌘ - 1 if its not already open) make a right click on the Libraries Folder and select New Group with Folder and name it Firebase.

Drag each file from the Analytics subfolder into the new Firebase Folder.

In the Dialog that appears Make sure that the right target is selected and that you copy items if needed

Add the time of writing this should be the following Frameworks:

• FirebaseAnalytics.framework
• FirebaseCore.framework
• FirebaseCoreDiagnostics.framework
• FirebaseInstanceID.framework
• FirebaseNanoPB.framework
• GoogleToolboxForMac.framework
• nanopb.framework

Next add the Contents of the Auth Subfolder.

• FirebaseAuth.framework
• GTMSessionFetcher.framework

You might want to add further frameworks or ressources of other modules depending on your use case.

All of these frameworks should automatically be added to the Link Binaries with Library Build Step, but double check that they really have been added.

Within XCode go to Build Settings » Linking » Other Linker Flags and make sure that the -ObjC Flag is added.

Make sure as well to add $(PROJECT_DIR)/Firebase to both the Framework Search Path and Header Search Path Build Settings for the Target.

Last but not least add the Firebase.h file from the root folder of the SDK to the same Firebase Folder within XCode, again making sure to select the right target and to copy files if needed. Double check that it has been added as well to the Link Binaries with Library Step.

Afterwards we can import the Firebase SDK within our AppDelegate.m File by adding the Following line at the top:

// react-native-firebase
#import <Firebase.h>

At the beginning of didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions we add:

[FIRApp configure];

[otaro808]

Thank you so much, jaschaio! It worked!!!!! YOU saved me a lot of time...

[sergiodaia]

thank you @jaschaio , your solution worked smoothly after banging my head with the official docs. Saved my day!

[ktarasenkowow]

rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/ - clean xcode cache help me =)

[mikehardy]

@ktarasenkowow that command is integrated into the module 'react-native-clean-project', highly recommended any time you're not sure locally, and definitely on CI systems

[akshaya-rao-s]

@jaschaio , I am trying to follow these steps, but want to know if there is any way to check which version of Firebase SDK is compatible with react native as of now.

[jaschaio]

@akshaya-rao-s unfortunately I don't know – haven't worked with Firebase and react native for quite some time

[mikehardy]

The most current versions of the underlying SDKs are working with most current version of react-native-firebase v5 and v6+

[akshaya-rao-s]

do we have the option of using the legacy build system? I have some dependency in the project.
Right now I am facing this error:
`
Error: the use of xcframeworks is not supported in the legacy build system.

`