react-native-keychain vs asyncstorage for secure passwords?

React Native Keychain uses native iOS Keychain and Android Keystore for hardware-backed security, while AsyncStorage is unencrypted and insecure for sensitive data. Keychain is essential for credentials, but AsyncStorage is fine for non-sensitive caching or preferences.

How to implement Face ID with react-native-keychain?

First, add NSFaceIDUsageDescription to your Info.plist. Then, use the setGenericPassword or setInternetCredentials methods with the accessible option set to ACCESSIBLE.WHEN_PASSCODE_SET_THIS_DEVICE_ONLY, and call getGenericPassword with authenticationPrompt to trigger biometric prompts.

react-native-keychain not working on Android emulator?

Android emulators might lack proper Keystore support; test on a real device or configure the emulator with a lock screen. Also, ensure you've rebuilt the project after installation and checked for common errors like missing permissions or incorrect service names.

Can I use react-native-keychain with Expo?

Yes, but it requires ejecting from Expo or using the Expo config plugin for bare workflow, as it relies on native modules. For managed Expo, consider alternative secure storage libraries that are Expo-compatible, though with potential feature limitations.

How to handle errors in react-native-keychain?

Wrap API calls in try-catch blocks, as methods like setGenericPassword can throw errors for issues like duplicate entries or biometric failures. Check the error codes in the documentation to differentiate between authentication errors and system issues.

react-native-keychain biometric prompt customization?

Customization is limited to the authenticationPrompt parameter, which sets the prompt message. For more advanced UI or flow control, you might need to combine it with other biometric libraries or native code, as Keychain focuses on secure storage rather than UI.

Open-Awesome

react-native-keychain

MITKotlinv10.0.0

Securely store passwords, tokens, and sensitive data in React Native apps using iOS Keychain and Android Keystore.

GitHub

3.5k stars533 forks0 contributors

What is react-native-keychain?

React Native Keychain is a library that provides secure storage for credentials and sensitive data in React Native applications. It uses the native iOS Keychain and Android Keystore systems to protect passwords, tokens, and other confidential information. The library solves the problem of securely persisting sensitive data across app sessions while leveraging platform-specific security features.

Target Audience

React Native developers building mobile applications that need to securely store user credentials, authentication tokens, or other sensitive information. Particularly useful for apps handling financial data, healthcare information, or any privacy-sensitive content.

Value Proposition

Developers choose React Native Keychain because it provides a simple, cross-platform API while leveraging the highest level of native platform security. Unlike generic storage solutions, it specifically uses iOS Keychain and Android Keystore which are designed for credential protection and integrate with biometric authentication systems.

Overview

:key: Keychain Access for React Native

Use Cases

Best For

Storing user login credentials securely in React Native apps
Persisting authentication tokens with biometric protection
Securing API keys and sensitive configuration data
Implementing biometric authentication flows
Building financial or healthcare apps with strict security requirements
Replacing insecure AsyncStorage for sensitive data

Not Ideal For

React Native apps targeting platforms beyond iOS and Android, such as Windows or web
Projects requiring cloud-synced or server-managed encryption keys
Teams using Expo without ejecting, as native module integration adds complexity
Applications that only store non-sensitive data like user preferences, where simpler storage suffices

Pros & Cons

Pros

Native Security Integration

Leverages iOS Keychain and Android Keystore directly, ensuring data is protected by platform-level security mechanisms as emphasized in the README.

Biometric Authentication Support

Integrates with Touch ID, Face ID, and Android biometrics, with setup requiring only an Info.plist entry for FaceID per the installation steps.

Cross-Platform API

Provides a consistent JavaScript interface for both iOS and Android, simplifying development across mobile platforms without needing separate implementations.

Proven in Production

Used by major projects like Rainbow Wallet and MetaMask Mobile, indicating reliability and community trust, as listed in the README's 'Used By' section.

Internet Credential Support

Can store internet passwords for server authentication, extending functionality beyond basic key-value storage to handle web-based credentials.

Cons

Platform Limitations

Only supports iOS and Android, leaving out other React Native targets like Windows or web, which may require additional libraries or workarounds.

Setup Complexity

Requires native steps such as pod install and Info.plist modifications, increasing build time and potential for errors compared to pure JavaScript solutions.

External Documentation

Documentation is hosted on a separate website, which can be less accessible or slower to update than integrated docs, risking outdated information.

Limited to Local Storage

Focuses on device-local secure storage without built-in support for syncing or backing up data across devices, which might be a gap for multi-device apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

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