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Resolving the “Javascript Heap Out of Memory” Error While Building React Native Apps Locally with EAS

 

Introduction

When building a React Native app, you may encounter various challenges, especially when dealing with memory issues during the build process. One of the more frustrating errors is the “Javascript heap out of memory” error. Recently, I encountered this issue while building my React Native app locally using Expo Application Services (EAS). It was a blocker that halted my progress, and after some research, I found a solution that I’d like to share.

This blog will walk you through the error I faced, the steps I took to resolve it, and how you can apply these solutions to your own project. If you’re working with EAS or React Native, this guide should help you optimize your build process and avoid memory-related errors.

The Problem: “Javascript Heap Out of Memory” Error

Here’s what happened when I attempted to build my app locally using EAS Build:

FAILURE: Build failed with an exception.
Javascript heap out of memory.

The error typically happens when Node.js runs out of memory during the build process. Node.js has a default memory allocation of 512MB, which can be too low for large projects like React Native apps.

I hadn’t encountered this issue before, so I started searching for the root cause and potential fixes.

The Solution

The solution I found involves modifying the Gradle properties to optimize the build process and prevent memory overflows. Specifically, we need to configure the gradle.properties file, which manages settings for the Gradle build system.

Step 1: Locate the Global gradle.properties File

The global gradle.properties file is located in your home directory. Depending on your operating system, you can find it here:

  • On Windows: C:\Users\<you>\.gradle\gradle.properties
  • On Mac/Linux: /Users/<you>/.gradle/gradle.properties

Step 2: Add the Following Configuration

Once you’ve located the file, open it in a text editor and add the following lines to optimize the build process:

org.gradle.parallel=true
org.gradle.configureondemand=true
org.gradle.daemon=false

Let’s break down what each of these configurations does:

  1. org.gradle.parallel=true: This enables parallel execution of independent tasks, improving build performance.
  2. org.gradle.configureondemand=true: This only configures the projects that are required for the current task, reducing memory usage.
  3. org.gradle.daemon=false: Disabling the daemon can free up memory since it prevents long-running background processes.

By optimizing these settings, you allow Gradle to build your app more efficiently without overloading memory.

Step 3: Rebuild Your Project

Once you’ve updated the gradle.properties file, try building your project again using EAS Build. The build process should now work smoothly without the "Javascript heap out of memory" error.

Preventing Memory Errors in the Future

In addition to modifying gradle.properties, there are a few other steps you can take to prevent memory issues during React Native builds:

  1. Upgrade Node.js: Make sure you’re using the latest stable version of Node.js. Memory management has improved in newer versions.
  2. Use --max_old_space_size flag: If you're still running into memory issues, you can increase the memory limit for Node.js by using the --max_old_space_size flag:
node --max_old_space_size=4096 node_modules/react-native/scripts/react-native-xcode.sh

This will allocate 4GB of memory to Node.js, which should be more than enough for most projects.

3. Monitor Memory Usage: Keep an eye on your system’s memory usage during the build process. If you consistently run into memory issues, consider upgrading your system’s RAM.

Conclusion

By optimizing your Gradle settings and managing Node.js memory allocation, you can avoid frustrating memory errors and ensure a smoother build process for your React Native apps. The “Javascript heap out of memory” error can be a headache, but with the right approach, it’s relatively easy to resolve.

If you’ve encountered this error, follow the steps in this guide to prevent it from interrupting your workflow. Happy coding!

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