Optimize Your React Native App with HERE SDK for Mapping
banner shap banner shap

Enhancing Location-Based Experiences in React Native with HERE SDK

Learn how to integrate the HERE SDK with React Native for advanced location-based features like real-time navigation, offline maps, and route optimization. Explore setup steps, benefits, and use cases for apps in logistics, ride-sharing, and delivery.

Apr 25, 2025

Save for later

React Native with HERE SDK

Introduction:

In today’s mobile app landscape, real-time navigation, detailed mapping, and location intelligence are more than just features—they are core to user experience in apps like ride-hailing, logistics, food delivery, and travel. While Google Maps is a popular choice, HERE Technologies offers a powerful and flexible SDK that gives developers advanced control over maps, routing, and geolocation features.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to integrate the HERE SDK with React Native, understand why developers are choosing HERE, and walk through a conceptual integration process, benefits, and use cases.

What is HERE SDK?

HERE SDK is a powerful mapping and location platform developed by HERE Technologies. It supports:

  • Vector maps with 3D buildings
  • Turn-by-turn navigation
  • Offline maps and routing
  • Traffic-aware routing
  • Geocoding, reverse geocoding, and POIs
  • Truck and EV routing profiles
  • Map customization and gestures

Why Choose HERE SDK for Your React Native App

HERE SDK provides rich, enterprise-grade location services that rival Google Maps, with the added advantages of:

  • Offline functionality: Preload maps and navigation to use without internet access.
  • Advanced routing: Multi-modal, truck-specific, pedestrian, and transit routing.
  • Turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance.
  • Geofencing and real-time traffic updates.
  • Highly customizable UI and camera control.

HERE is ideal for industries like logistics, fleet management, autonomous driving, and smart mobility applications.

Understanding HERE SDK Tiers

HERE offers multiple SDKs, including:

  • HERE SDK Explore Edition (rich 3D maps, navigation)
  • HERE SDK Navigate Edition (advanced navigation, voice guidance)
  • HERE SDK Lite Edition (lightweight mapping)
  • HERE Location Services REST APIs (for backend integration)

For mobile apps in React Native, the Explore or Navigate Edition (for Android/iOS native) can be bridged with React Native using custom native modules.

Can We Use HERE SDK in React Native?

YES, but not directly like plug-and-play. Since HERE SDKs are native (Android: Java/Kotlin, iOS: Swift/Obj-C), you need to create a custom native module (via React Native bridges) or use a community wrapper (if available).

Options to Integrate HERE in React Native:

  • Write your own native bridge for Android and iOS using the HERE SDK.
  • Use community wrappers, such as:
  • Use HERE REST APIs with React Native + maps (e.g., MapView from react-native-maps) and overlay the data manually.

Conceptual Setup: Integrating HERE SDK in React Native

Let’s walk through the high-level setup using the native bridge method.

Step 1: Create Native Modules

  • Android:
    • Install HERE SDK via .aar or Maven in your native android/app
    • Implement the ReactContextBaseJavaModule to expose HERE SDK functionalities.
    • Initialize the map, set up routing/navigation.
  • iOS:
    • Add HERE SDK frameworks in Xcode.
    • Create an Objective-C or Swift module implementing RCTBridgeModule.

Step 2: Link Native Modules with React Native

  • Use the NativeModules API in JavaScript to invoke native map and routing methods.
  • Optionally use RCTViewManager for embedding the map view into JSX.

Step 3: Calling Native Modules in React Native

				
					import { NativeModules } from 'react-native';

const { HereNavigation } = NativeModules;

HereNavigation.startNavigation(12.9716, 77.5946, 13.0827, 80.2707);

				
			

Use EventEmitter to receive navigation updates like ETA, rerouting alerts, or arrival confirmation.

Real-World Use Cases

  1. Delivery Apps
    • Real-time location, rerouting, and route optimization.
  2. Ride-Sharing Platforms
    • Pickup & drop-off navigation, live ETAs.
  3. Fleet Management
    • Geofencing, stop tracking, route history.
  4. Tourism & Travel
    • Public transport routes, offline city guides.
  5. Emergency Services
    • Fastest route calculation with live traffic.

Key Features You Can Implement with HERE SDK

  1. Dynamic Maps: Render vector or raster maps with 2D/3D buildings.
  2. Real-time GPS Tracking: Use HERE Positioning for accurate location.
  3. Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Voice-guided routes, traffic-aware.
  4. Geofencing: Detect user entry/exit in defined zones.
  5. Search & Autocomplete: Places, POIs, reverse geocoding.

Advantages of Using HERE SDK

  1. Privacy-Centric: HERE offers GDPR-compliant solutions with offline options.
  2. Global Reach: High coverage for over 200 countries.
  3. High Precision Routing: Ideal for delivery or logistics apps.
  4. Flexible Licensing: Options for startups, commercial, and enterprise apps.

Use Case Example

Use Case: React Native Delivery App with Route Optimization

  • A driver logs into the app → sees optimized delivery routes using HERE Routing API.
  • The app tracks real-time location with HERE Positioning.
  • If a delivery address changes, HERE SDK recalculates route dynamically.
  • All maps and routing work offline in areas with poor connectivity.

Things to Consider

  • HERE SDK is not free for heavy use. Check the pricing model based on usage.
  • Native bridge setup can be time-consuming without existing wrappers.
  • Use HERE REST APIs if you want to avoid native development.

Advantages Over Google Maps or Mapbox

FeatureHEREGoogle MapsMapbox
Offline Turn-by-Turn❌ (limited)
Real-Time Traffic
Routing with Multiple Stops
In-App Customization✅ (full)
Licensing FlexibilityLimitedModerate

Conclusion

Integrating HERE SDK with React Native can significantly level up your app’s location-based features. While it requires some native development effort, the result is a highly scalable, customizable, and precise geolocation experience tailored to enterprise and consumer needs alike.

If your app relies heavily on mapping, tracking, and navigation, and you want to explore alternatives to Google Maps, HERE SDK offers an advanced, developer-friendly, and powerful platform.

Comparing Gluestack UI with Other React Native UI Libraries

Feature Gluestack UI NativeBase React Native Paper Material UI
Performance Optimized
Customization
Prebuilt Components
Theming Support
Atomic Styling
Re-Renders Optimized
Mobile App Development Company USA

Searching for the Best Mobile App Development Services for Your Business?

Hire our React Native Developers to analyze your business requirements and develop a tailored mobile app that drives results. Discover top-tier mobile app development services designed to elevate your business.

Schedule Meeting Schedule a Consultation
5/5 - (1 vote)