Introduction
Developers often turn to Electron for cross-platform desktop apps, but its heavy resource usage and large app sizes can be drawbacks. Enter Tauri, a modern alternative that enables you to build lightweight, secure, and high-performance applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android using web technologies like React.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to build cross-platform desktop and mobile applications with Tauri + React, including deployment strategies.
Why Choose Tauri for Desktop & Mobile Apps?
Tauri vs. Electron (Desktop)
| Feature | Tauri | Electron |
| App Size | ~2-10 MB | 50-100+ MB |
| Memory Usage | Low | High |
| Performance | Fast | Slower due to Chromium |
| Security | Stronger (Rust-based) | Weaker (Node.js vulnerabilities) |
| Cross-Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Tauri for Mobile (iOS & Android)
Since Tauri v2, support for iOS & Android is in development, making it a powerful alternative to frameworks like React Native or Flutter. With Tauri, you can write your app once and deploy it on both desktop and mobile with minimal changes.
Setting Up a Tauri + React Project
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:
Step 1: Create a React App
Initialize a React project with Vite:
npm create vite@latest tauri-react-app --template react
cd tauri-react-app
npm install
npm run dev
Step 2: Install Tauri
Install the Tauri CLI globally:
cargo install tauri-cli
Then, initialize Tauri in your project:
npm create tauri-app
Follow the setup prompts.
Modify src-tauri/tauri.conf.json as needed. The default setup should work for most apps.
Run your app locally:
npm run tauri dev
Building and Deploying Your Tauri App
1. Deploying for Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)
To build a production-ready desktop app, run:
npm run tauri build
This generates:
Distribution Options:
✅ GitHub Releases – Automate deployment using CI/CD
✅ App Stores – Submit to Microsoft Store & Mac App Store
✅ Tauri Updater – Enable auto-updates
2. Deploying for Mobile (iOS & Android)
Step 1: Enable Mobile Support in Tauri
Tauri v2 introduces mobile support for iOS & Android. Install mobile dependencies:
cargo install tauri-mobile
Step 2: Setup iOS Build
On macOS, install Xcode and set up your project:
tauri mobile init ios
tauri mobile build ios
Step 3: Setup Android Build
For Android, install the Android SDK & NDK, then run:
tauri mobile init android
tauri mobile build android
Step 4: Deploying to App Stores
✅ Google Play Store – Generate an .apk or .aab file for submission
✅ Apple App Store – Use Xcode to archive and submit your app
Conclusion
With Tauri + React, you can build cross-platform applications that are:
✔️ Lightweight – Smaller app sizes compared to Electron
✔️ Secure – Rust backend reduces vulnerabilities
✔️ Fast & Efficient – Uses system web views instead of bundling Chromium
✔️ Truly Cross-Platform – Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
Next Steps
🚀 Want a detailed guide on Tauri mobile deployment? Let me know in the comments!
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