/react-native-skills

Use Native Modals Over JS-Based Bottom Sheets

Use native <Modal> with presentationStyle="formSheet" or React Navigation v7's native form sheet instead of JS-based bottom sheet libraries. Native modals have built-in gestures, accessibility, and better performance. Rely on native UI for low-level primitives.

Incorrect (JS-based bottom sheet):

import BottomSheet from 'custom-js-bottom-sheet'

function MyScreen() {
  const sheetRef = useRef<BottomSheet>(null)

  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1 }}>
      <Button onPress={() => sheetRef.current?.expand()} title='Open' />
      <BottomSheet ref={sheetRef} snapPoints={['50%', '90%']}>
        <View>
          <Text>Sheet content</Text>
        </View>
      </BottomSheet>
    </View>
  )
}

Correct (native Modal with formSheet):

import { Modal, View, Text, Button } from 'react-native'

function MyScreen() {
  const [visible, setVisible] = useState(false)

  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1 }}>
      <Button onPress={() => setVisible(true)} title='Open' />
      <Modal
        visible={visible}
        presentationStyle='formSheet'
        animationType='slide'
        onRequestClose={() => setVisible(false)}
      >
        <View>
          <Text>Sheet content</Text>
        </View>
      </Modal>
    </View>
  )
}

Correct (React Navigation v7 native form sheet):

// In your navigator
<Stack.Screen
  name='Details'
  component={DetailsScreen}
  options={{
    presentation: 'formSheet',
    sheetAllowedDetents: 'fitToContents',
  }}
/>

Native modals provide swipe-to-dismiss, proper keyboard avoidance, and accessibility out of the box.