Installing React Native Latest Version in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

1) Setup Node.JS

Start the terminal and run the following commands to install nodeJS:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_5.x | sudo -E bash -

sudo apt-get install nodejs

If node command is unavailable

sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node

Alternatives NodeJS instalations:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_6.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

or

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_7.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

check if you have the current version

node -v 

Run the npm to install the react-native

sudo npm install -g react-native-cli

2) Setup Java

sudo apt-get install lib32stdc++6 lib32z1 openjdk-7-jdk

3) Setup Android Studio:

Android SDK or Android Studio

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

Android SDK e ENV

export ANDROID_HOME=/YOUR/LOCAL/ANDROID/SDK
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/tools:$ANDROID_HOME/platform-tools

4) Setup emulator:

On the terminal run the command

android

Select "SDK Platforms" from within the SDK Manager and you should see a blue checkmark next to "Android 7.0 (Nougat)". In case it is not, click on the checkbox and then "Apply".

5) Start a project

Example app init

react-native init ReactNativeDemo && cd ReactNativeDemo

Obs: Always check if the version on android/app/build.gradle is the same as the Build Tools downloaded on your android SDK

android {
    compileSdkVersion XX
    buildToolsVersion "XX.X.X"
...

6) Run the project

Open Android AVD to set up a virtual android. Execute the command line:

android avd

Follow the instructions to create a virtual device and start it
Open another terminal and run the command lines:

react-native run-android
react-native start