Prevent Native Race Conditions with React’s Context API

The Stream Services team collaborated with Branch to implement a deep linking and navigation feature for a client using a React Native application, which revealed challenges related to the asynchronous nature of native JavaScript code. The integration aimed to utilize Branch's dashboard for creating deep links with data payloads, but synchronization issues arose because Branch's native methods didn't align with the React Native component lifecycle, causing multiple rendering issues. To address this, the team adopted React's Context API to effectively store and manage deep link data on initial app load, allowing components to access this information as needed for navigation and other purposes. This approach proved particularly beneficial for ensuring smooth user experiences, especially in scenarios involving user authentication and content navigation, such as directing users to specific pages, like a marketing influencer's profile, after sign-up. The team's experience highlights the importance of creative problem-solving and knowledge sharing in making seamless product integrations possible.