TanStack Query: The Ultimate Data-Fetching Solution for React Native Developers

In the ever-evolving world of mobile and web development, staying up-to-date with the latest tools and libraries is essential. As a React Native developer, I’ve explored many third-party libraries, but one that consistently stands out is TanStack Query.

TanStack Query is often hailed as the “missing data-fetching library” for web applications. On a technical level, it simplifies fetching, caching, synchronizing, and updating server state, making it an invaluable tool for building responsive, efficient apps.

Why Use TanStack Query?

TanStack Query has completely transformed how I approach state management in mobile apps. It primarily manages server-side state — data returned from API calls — while leveraging query keys for caching and reusability.

Here’s why TanStack Query is a game-changer:

• Effortless Caching: Automatically serves cached data when available, reducing unnecessary API calls.
• Seamless Synchronization: Updates data across components whenever the server state changes.
• Simplified State Management: In most projects, I no longer need “client-side” state management. For complex applications, a combination of server-side and client-side state management may still be necessary.

How to Set Up TanStack Query

1. Install TanStack Query

To get started, install the TanStack Query SDK:

yarn add @tanstack/react-query

2. Add the QueryClientProvider

Wrap your app with the QueryClientProvider to enable TanStack Query:

import { 
  QueryClient, 
  QueryClientProvider, 
} from '@tanstack/react-query'; 
 
// Create a QueryClient instance 
const queryClient = new QueryClient(); 
 
function App() { 
  return ( 
    <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}> 
      <Routes /> 
    </QueryClientProvider> 
  ); 
}

3. Create and Use Query Keys

Query keys help organize your queries and enable type safety. Here’s how to define and use them:

const baseQueryKeys = { 
  userDetailsKey: ["userDetails"], 
}; 
 
export const queryKeys = { 
  ...baseQueryKeys, 
  userDetails: (userId: string) => [ 
    ...baseQueryKeys.userDetailsKey, 
    { userId }, 
  ], 
};

While TanStack Query doesn’t officially recommend this approach, I prefer it for maintaining type safety and clarity.

4. Add TanStack Query to a Screen

Use the useQuery hook to fetch data in your component:

import React from "react"; 
import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query"; 
import { queryKeys } from "./utils/queryKeys"; 
 
const Home = () => { 
  const { userId } = useAccount(); 
 
  const { data } = useQuery({ 
    queryKey: queryKeys.userDetails(userId), 
    queryFn: async () => { 
      // Your API call here 
    }, 
  }); 
 
  return ( 
    // Your UI components here 
  ); 
}; 
 
export default Home;

Tip: TanStack Query automatically refires a query when the parameters in the queryKey change. For example, if userId changes, the query will rerun.

5. Invalidate Queries

If you need to refresh data, such as after a user updates their profile, you can invalidate the relevant query:

import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query"; 
 
const queryClient = useQueryClient(); 
await queryClient.invalidateQueries({ 
  queryKey: queryKeys.userDetailsKey, 
});

This approach ensures all queries using queryKeys.userDetails are updated.

6. Update Query Data Without an API Call

You can also update query data locally using setQueryData:

import { useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query"; 
 
const queryClient = useQueryClient(); 
const newUser = // new user data; 
queryClient.setQueryData( 
  queryKeys.userDetails(userId), 
  newUser 
);

By using setQueryData, you can modify cached data directly, eliminating the need for additional API requests.

Why TanStack Query Is Essential for React Native Developers

TanStack Query excels in handling data fetching, caching, and managing server-side state efficiently. Its robust features reduce boilerplate code and simplify app development, making it an essential library for React Native projects.

Whether you’re building a simple app or a complex application, TanStack Query ensures your server state is always in sync with minimal effort. Try it in your next project, and experience the difference!

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