React Native: Changing Font Family and Adding Custom Fonts

Introduction

A well-liked framework for creating cross-platform mobile applications is React Native. One important aspect of mobile app development is the ability to customize the appearance of the app, including the font family used for text. In this article, we will explore how to Changing Font Family in a React Native app and how to add custom fonts to enhance the design and branding.

I. Understanding Font Families in React Native 

To begin with, let’s understand font families in the context of React Native. React Native provides a set of default font families that can be used out-of-the-box. These include system fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, and San Francisco for iOS, and Roboto, Arial, and Droid Sans for Android. However, sometimes you may need to use a specific custom font to align with your app’s design requirements or branding guidelines.

II. Changing Font Family in React Native

Using System Fonts: React Native allows you to specify the font family directly on the text component. By default, it uses the system font. For example:

 

<Text style={{ fontFamily: ‘Arial’ }}>Hello, World!</Text>

 

Adding Custom Fonts: To use custom fonts in your React Native app, you need to follow these steps:

1. Import the font file(s): Start by obtaining the font files (typically in .ttf or .otf format) and place them in your project’s assets folder.
2. Link the font files: Open the react-native.config.js file in the root directory of your project and add the following code:

 

module.exports = {

  assets: [‘./path/to/fonts’],

};

 

1. Register the font: In your app’s entry file (e.g., App.js), import the necessary modules and register the font by calling Font.loadAsync(). Here’s an example:

 

import * as Font from ‘expo-font’;

// …

async function loadFonts() {

  await Font.loadAsync({

    ‘custom-font’: require(‘./path/to/fonts/CustomFont.ttf’),

  });

}

loadFonts().then(() => {

  // App initialization code

});

 

III. Using Custom Fonts in React Native Components (400 words) Now that we have added and registered our custom font, let’s see how to use it in React Native components.

Set the Font Family: To use the custom font, simply specify the registered font family in the style prop of the text component. For example:

 

<Text style={{ fontFamily: ‘custom-font’ }}>Hello, Custom Font!</Text>

 

Creating a Custom Text Component: To simplify the process of using custom fonts throughout your app, you can create a custom text component that includes the font family. Here’s an example:

 

import React from ‘react’;

import { Text, StyleSheet } from ‘react-native’;

const CustomText = ({ children, style }) => {

  return <Text style={[styles.text, style]}>{children}</Text>;

};

const styles = StyleSheet.create({

  text: {

    fontFamily: ‘custom-font’,

  },

});

export default CustomText;

 

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to change the font family in a React Native app and add custom fonts. By understanding the font family options available in react native font family and following the necessary steps, you can easily customize the appearance of text in your mobile app. Whether you prefer to use system fonts or incorporate custom fonts for a unique look and feel, React Native provides the flexibility to achieve your desired typography. Remember to ensure that you have the necessary licenses and permissions to use custom fonts, and test your app thoroughly to ensure consistent font rendering across different platforms and devices.