[🐛] 🔥 [runtime not ready]: Error: No Firebase App '[DEFAULT]' has been created - call firebase.initializeApp() [RN -0.78] [iOS only]

[DonovanEnas]

Issue

Got this issue while upgrading react native version to 0.78, i have tried cleaning the project, node_modules, yarn cache and Pods and podfile.lock. Also my AppDelegate.swift has import FirebaseCore and FirebaseApp.configure() which i saw were solutions to a similar issue that was reporeted. Could get the app running fine on android.

---

Project Files

Javascript

Click To Expand

package.json:

{
  "name": "appname",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "private": true,
  "scripts": {
    "android": "react-native run-android",
    "ios": "react-native run-ios",
    "start": "react-native start",
    "test": "jest",
    "lint": "eslint .",
    "lint:fix": "yarn lint -- --fix",
    "format": "prettier --check .",
    "format:fix": "prettier --write .",
    "buildApk": "cd android && ./gradlew clean && ./gradlew assembleRelease && cd ..",
    "postinstall": "patch-package",
    "cleanProject": "watchman watch-del-all && rm -rf yarn.lock package-lock.json node_modules ios/Pods ios/Podfile.lock android/app/build && npm install && cd ios && pod update && cd .. && npm start -- --reset-cache"
  },
  "husky": {
    "hooks": {
      "pre-commit": "lint-staged"
    }
  },
  "lint-staged": {
    "./src/*.js": [
      "yarn format && yarn format:fix && yarn lint"
    ]
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "@gorhom/bottom-sheet": "^5.1.2",
    "@notifee/react-native": "^9.1.8",
    "@react-native-async-storage/async-storage": "^2.0.0",
    "@react-native-camera-roll/camera-roll": "^7.3.0",
    "@react-native-clipboard/clipboard": "^1.16.0",
    "@react-native-community/cli": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-android": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/datetimepicker": "^8.0.0",
    "@react-native-community/geolocation": "^3.4.0",
    "@react-native-community/netinfo": "^11.3.3",
    "@react-native-firebase/app": "^21.13.0",
    "@react-native-firebase/crashlytics": "^21.13.0",
    "@react-native-firebase/messaging": "^21.13.0",
    "@react-native-picker/picker": "^2.4.1",
    "@react-native/babel-preset": "^0.78.0",
    "@react-navigation/bottom-tabs": "^7.3.3",
    "@react-navigation/drawer": "^7.3.2",
    "@react-navigation/elements": "^2.3.1",
    "@react-navigation/material-top-tabs": "^7.2.3",
    "@react-navigation/native": "^7.0.19",
    "@react-navigation/stack": "^6.3.21",
    "@rematch/core": "^2.2.0",
    "@rematch/loading": "^2.1.2",
    "@rematch/persist": "^2.1.2",
    "accordion-collapse-react-native": "^1.1.1",
    "axios": "^1.8.4",
    "axios-retry": "^4.5.0",
    "babel-eslint": "^10.1.0",
    "babel-plugin-transform-remove-console": "^6.9.4",
    "eslint-plugin-prettier": "^5.2.5",
    "eslint-plugin-react-native": "^4.0.0",
    "jwt-decode": "3.1.2",
    "lodash.debounce": "^4.0.8",
    "lodash.groupby": "^4.6.0",
    "moment": "^2.29.3",
    "patch-package": "^8.0.0",
    "payu-non-seam-less-react": "^3.3.0",
    "query-string": "^8.1.0",
    "react": "19.0.0",
    "react-content-loader": "^6.2.1",
    "react-hook-form": "^7.49.3",
    "react-native": "^0.78.0",
    "react-native-app-auth": "^6.4.3",
    "react-native-calendars": "^1.1284.0",
    "react-native-camera": "^4.2.1",
    "react-native-country-flag": "^2.0.2",
    "react-native-country-picker-modal": "^2.0.0",
    "react-native-device-info": "^10.12.0",
    "react-native-drop-shadow": "^1.0.0",
    "react-native-fs": "^2.18.0",
    "react-native-gesture-handler": "^2.24.0",
    "react-native-get-random-values": "^1.8.0",
    "react-native-iap": "^12.10.5",
    "react-native-image-crop-picker": "^0.42.0",
    "react-native-image-picker": "^8.2.0",
    "react-native-keyboard-aware-scroll-view": "^0.9.5",
    "react-native-linear-gradient": "^2.8.3",
    "react-native-localize": "^3.4.1",
    "react-native-maps": "^1.20.1",
    "react-native-modal": "^14.0.0-rc.1",
    "react-native-modal-datetime-picker": "^18.0.0",
    "react-native-otp-entry": "^1.8.2",
    "react-native-pager-view": "^6.7.0",
    "react-native-paper": "5.1.3",
    "react-native-permissions": "3.3.1",
    "react-native-phone-input": "^1.3.3",
    "react-native-popup-menu": "^0.16.1",
    "react-native-qrcode-svg": "^6.1.2",
    "react-native-reanimated": "^3.17.2",
    "react-native-reanimated-carousel": "^3.1.5",
    "react-native-safe-area-context": "^5.3.0",
    "react-native-screens": "^4.9.2",
    "react-native-share": "^12.0.9",
    "react-native-simple-toast": "^3.2.0",
    "react-native-slider": "^0.11.0",
    "react-native-sound-player": "^0.14.5",
    "react-native-splash-screen": "^3.3.0",
    "react-native-svg": "^15.11.2",
    "react-native-switch-selector": "^2.3.0",
    "react-native-tab-view": "^3.1.1",
    "react-native-toast-message": "^2.1.5",
    "react-native-url-polyfill": "^2.0.0",
    "react-native-version-info": "^1.1.1",
    "react-native-webview": "^13.13.1",
    "react-redux": "8.0.2",
    "redux": "^4.2.0",
    "update": "^0.7.4",
    "uuid": "^9.0.0",
    "victory-native": "^36.6.8"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@babel/core": "^7.20.0",
    "@babel/preset-env": "^7.23.8",
    "@babel/runtime": "^7.23.8",
    "@react-native/babel-preset": "^0.78.0",
    "@react-native/eslint-config": "^0.73.2",
    "@react-native/metro-config": "^0.78.0",
    "@react-native/typescript-config": "0.74.0",
    "@types/react": "^18.2.6",
    "@types/react-test-renderer": "^18.0.0",
    "babel-jest": "^29.6.3",
    "eslint": "^8.19.0",
    "jest": "^29.2.1",
    "lint-staged": "^15.2.0",
    "metro": "^0.82.1",
    "metro-config": "^0.82.1",
    "prettier": "3.2.2",
    "react-native-svg-transformer": "^1.0.0",
    "react-test-renderer": "19.0.0",
    "redux-persist": "^6.0.0",
    "typescript": "5.1.6"
  },
  "jest": {
    "preset": "react-native"
  }
}

firebase.json for react-native-firebase v6:

# N/A

iOS

Click To Expand

ios/Podfile:

• I'm not using Pods
• I'm using Pods and my Podfile looks like:

require_relative '../node_modules/react-native/scripts/react_native_pods'
require_relative '../node_modules/@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios/native_modules'

# Resolve react_native_pods.rb with node to allow for hoisting
require Pod::Executable.execute_command('node', ['-p',
  'require.resolve(
    "react-native/scripts/react_native_pods.rb",
    {paths: [process.argv[1]]},
  )', __dir__]).strip

platform :ios, min_ios_version_supported
prepare_react_native_project!


linkage = ENV['USE_FRAMEWORKS']
if linkage != nil
  Pod::UI.puts "Configuring Pod with #{linkage}ally linked Frameworks".green
  use_frameworks! :linkage => linkage.to_sym # For Firebase
end

target 'AppName' do
  permissions_path = '../node_modules/react-native-permissions/ios'
  pod 'Permission-Camera', :path => "#{permissions_path}/Camera"
  pod 'Permission-PhotoLibrary', :path => "#{permissions_path}/PhotoLibrary"
  pod 'RNIap', :path => '../node_modules/react-native-iap'
  pod 'TrustKit'
  config = use_native_modules!
  use_frameworks! :linkage => :static 
  $RNFirebaseAsStaticFramework = true
  flags = get_default_flags()
  
  pod 'Firebase', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'FirebaseCoreInternal', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'GoogleUtilities', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'FirebaseCore', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'GoogleDataTransport', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'FirebaseCoreExtension', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'FirebaseInstallations', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'nanopb', :modular_headers => true
  pod 'Firebase/Core'
  pod 'Firebase/Messaging'
  pod 'Firebase/Crashlytics'
  pod 'Firebase/Analytics'
  pod 'react-native-google-maps', :path => '../node_modules/react-native-maps' # This script is for the google maps if not needed then please skip this one
  # <--- FCM(Firebase push notification) setup scripts End 
  
  use_react_native!(
    :path => config[:reactNativePath],
    # Hermes is now enabled by default. Disable by setting this flag to false.
    :hermes_enabled => flags[:hermes_enabled],
    :fabric_enabled => flags[:fabric_enabled],
    # An absolute path to your application root.
    :app_path => "#{Pod::Config.instance.installation_root}/.."
  )
  

  post_install do |installer|
    # https://github.com/facebook/react-native/blob/main/packages/react-native/scripts/react_native_pods.rb#L197-L202
    react_native_post_install(
      installer,
      config[:reactNativePath],
      :mac_catalyst_enabled => false,
      # :ccache_enabled => true
    )
  end
end

AppDelegate.swift:

import React
import React_RCTAppDelegate
import ReactAppDependencyProvider
import RNBootSplash 
import FirebaseCore // ⬅️ this
import FirebaseMessaging

@main
class AppDelegate: RCTAppDelegate {
  override func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey : Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
    self.moduleName = "AppName"
    self.dependencyProvider = RCTAppDependencyProvider()

    // You can add your custom initial props in the dictionary below.
    // They will be passed down to the ViewController used by React Native.
    self.initialProps = [:]
    FirebaseApp.configure() // ⬅️ this
    Messaging.messaging().delegate = self
    application.registerForRemoteNotifications()

    return super.application(application, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: launchOptions)
  }

  override func sourceURL(for bridge: RCTBridge) -> URL? {
    self.bundleURL()
  }

  override func bundleURL() -> URL? {
#if DEBUG
    RCTBundleURLProvider.sharedSettings().jsBundleURL(forBundleRoot: "index")
#else
    Bundle.main.url(forResource: "main", withExtension: "jsbundle")
#endif
  }

  // ⬇️ override this method
  override func customize(_ rootView: RCTRootView!) {
    super.customize(rootView)
    RNBootSplash.initWithStoryboard("BootSplash", rootView: rootView) // ⬅️ initialize the splash screen
  }
  override func application(_ application: UIApplication, didRegisterForRemoteNotificationsWithDeviceToken deviceToken: Data) {
  Messaging.messaging().apnsToken = deviceToken
  }
  // Add the following function if needed (for firebase)
// MARK: - MessagingDelegate
  extension AppDelegate: MessagingDelegate {
    func messaging(_ messaging: Messaging, didReceiveRegistrationToken fcmToken: String?) {
        // // Send token to your server if needed
        if let token = fcmToken {
            let dataDict: [String: String] = ["token": token]
            NotificationCenter.default.post(
                name: Notification.Name("FCMToken"),
                object: nil,
                userInfo: dataDict
            )
        }
    }
  }
}

Environment

Click To Expand

react-native info output:

 System:
  OS: macOS 15.3.2
  CPU: (10) x64 Apple M4
  Memory: 36.07 MB / 16.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 23.10.0
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v23.10.0/bin/node
  Yarn:
    version: 1.22.22
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.9.2
    path: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v23.10.0/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.03.10.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods: Not Found
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 24.4
      - iOS 18.4
      - macOS 15.4
      - tvOS 18.4
      - visionOS 2.4
      - watchOS 11.4
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2024.2 AI-242.23726.103.2422.12816248
  Xcode:
    version: 16.3/16E140
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.14
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 3.2.0
    path: /.rvm/rubies/ruby-3.2.0/bin/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 15.0.1
    wanted: 15.0.1
  react:
    installed: 19.0.0
    wanted: 19.0.0
  react-native:
    installed: 0.78.2
    wanted: ^0.78.0
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true

• Platform that you're experiencing the issue on:
  • iOS
  • Android
  • iOS but have not tested behavior on Android
  • Android but have not tested behavior on iOS
  • Both
• react-native-firebase version you're using that has this issue:
  • 21.13.0
• Firebase module(s) you're using that has the issue:
  • e.g. crashlytics, messaging
• Are you using TypeScript?
  • N

[mikehardy]

This has been brought up a few times, but I've never reproduced it locally.
I have an automated build script that works every time - something it is doing is missing in your project
https://github.com/mikehardy/rnfbdemo/blob/main/make-demo.sh

Last time someone brought this up, they hadn't properly added their GoogleServices-Info.plist to their project, could be that?
Check the script though, it definitely works. There is no problem with react-native-firebase current and react-native 0.78 and iOS in general, just project-specific problems for some folks

[DonovanEnas]

I could get the app Initialized from the script running, but it still doesnt fix my issue @mikehardy

[mikehardy]

We're not able to fix every project-specific problem for every project, that's an unrealistic expectation given it's an infinite demand for support on a limited support resource.

We can prove it can work, and we can show you how in a reproducible way - which we have done - and by comparison with your project you can find the integration error in your project

[DonovanEnas]

@mikehardy I dont intend so. But i have run the script compared it with my project files (focused more on comparing Pods, Gemfile and AppDelegate, but could not find any major deviations. Are there any more file or areas that u suggest i might need to check?

[mikehardy]

Read the entire script, it's well commented, and verify every single item