Passing parameters between screens in React Native

Introduction

Passing parameters between screens lets you send information from one screen to another. This helps screens show different content based on what you send.

You want to show details about a selected item on a new screen.

You need to send user input from one screen to another for processing.

You want to pass settings or preferences between screens.

You want to navigate to a screen and show different content based on where you came from.

Syntax

React Native

navigation.navigate('ScreenName', { paramName: paramValue })

// To read the parameter in the target screen:
const { paramName } = route.params;

Use navigation.navigate to move to another screen and send parameters as an object.

In the receiving screen, use route.params to access the parameters.

Examples

Sends a userId parameter with value 42 to the Profile screen.

React Native

navigation.navigate('Profile', { userId: 42 })

Reads the userId parameter in the Profile screen and logs it.

React Native

const { userId } = route.params;
console.log(userId);

Sample App

This app has two screens: Home and Details. When you press the button on Home, it sends a message to Details. Details shows that message on screen.

React Native

import React from 'react';
import { Button, Text, View } from 'react-native';
import { NavigationContainer } from '@react-navigation/native';
import { createNativeStackNavigator } from '@react-navigation/native-stack';

const Stack = createNativeStackNavigator();

function HomeScreen({ navigation }) {
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Button
        title="Go to Details"
        onPress={() => navigation.navigate('Details', { message: 'Hello from Home!' })}
      />
    </View>
  );
}

function DetailsScreen({ route }) {
  const { message } = route.params;
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Text>{message}</Text>
    </View>
  );
}

export default function App() {
  return (
    <NavigationContainer>
      <Stack.Navigator>
        <Stack.Screen name="Home" component={HomeScreen} />
        <Stack.Screen name="Details" component={DetailsScreen} />
      </Stack.Navigator>
    </NavigationContainer>
  );
}

Important Notes

Always check if route.params exists before using it to avoid errors.

Parameters can be any data type: strings, numbers, objects, or arrays.

Use descriptive parameter names to keep your code clear.

Summary

Use navigation.navigate('Screen', { params }) to send data between screens.

Access sent data in the target screen with route.params.

This helps screens show different content based on passed information.

Practice

1. What is the correct way to pass a parameter named userId with value 42 when navigating to a screen called Profile in React Native?

easy

A. navigation.move('Profile', { userId })

B. navigation.goTo('Profile', userId=42)

C. navigation.push('Profile', userId=42)

D. navigation.navigate('Profile', { userId: 42 })

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand navigation method

   To pass parameters, use navigation.navigate with the screen name and an object of params.

2. Step 2: Check parameter syntax

   The parameter must be inside an object like { userId: 42 } as the second argument.

3. Final Answer:

   navigation.navigate('Profile', { userId: 42 }) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Pass params with navigate(screen, { params }) [OK]

Hint: Use navigate with screen name and params object [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong method like goTo or move
• Passing params outside an object
• Forgetting to include params argument

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to access a parameter named itemId inside a React Native screen component?

easy

A. const itemId = props.navigation.params.itemId;

B. const itemId = navigation.route.params.itemId;

C. const itemId = route.params.itemId;

D. const itemId = params.route.itemId;

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how params are accessed

   In React Navigation, the screen receives a route prop containing params.

2. Step 2: Use correct property chain

   Access the parameter with route.params.itemId.

3. Final Answer:

   const itemId = route.params.itemId; -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use route.params to get passed parameters [OK]

Hint: Use route.params to access passed data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to get params from navigation instead of route
• Incorrect property order like navigation.route.params
• Using props.navigation.params which is invalid

3. Given this code snippet in a React Native app:

navigation.navigate('Details', { productId: 101 });

// In Details screen component:
const Details = ({ route }) => {
  return {route.params.productId};
};

What will be displayed on the screen?

medium

A. productId

B. 101

C. route.params.productId

D. undefined

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand parameter passing

   The productId with value 101 is passed to the Details screen via navigation.navigate.

2. Step 2: Check how parameter is used in Details

   The component accesses route.params.productId and displays it inside a Text component.

3. Final Answer:

   101 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Passed param value is displayed [OK]

Hint: route.params contains passed values to display [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting param name string instead of value
• Using undefined or wrong property to access param
• Not passing params correctly in navigate

4. What is wrong with this code snippet that tries to pass a parameter name to a screen called Welcome?

navigation.navigate('Welcome', name: 'Alice');

medium

A. Parameters must be passed inside an object as the second argument.

B. The screen name should be lowercase.

C. The parameter name cannot be a string.

D. navigate method does not accept parameters.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check navigate method syntax

   The second argument to navigate must be an object containing parameters.

2. Step 2: Identify error in parameter passing

   The code passes name: 'Alice' without wrapping it in curly braces, which is invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   Parameters must be passed inside an object as the second argument. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Params go inside an object in navigate [OK]

Hint: Always wrap params in an object when navigating [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing params without curly braces
• Using wrong syntax for navigate arguments
• Assuming screen names must be lowercase

5. You want to navigate from a Home screen to a Profile screen and pass both userId and userName. How should you write the navigation call to pass these parameters correctly?

hard

A. navigation.navigate('Profile', { userId: 5, userName: 'John' })

B. navigation.navigate('Profile', userId=5, userName='John')

C. navigation.navigate('Profile', ['userId', 5, 'userName', 'John'])

D. navigation.navigate('Profile', { 'userId': 5 }, { 'userName': 'John' })

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand parameter object structure

   Multiple parameters must be passed inside a single object with key-value pairs.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   navigation.navigate('Profile', { userId: 5, userName: 'John' }) correctly passes both userId and userName inside one object.

3. Final Answer:

   navigation.navigate('Profile', { userId: 5, userName: 'John' }) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Pass multiple params inside one object [OK]

Hint: Put all params inside one object in navigate call [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing params as separate arguments
• Using array instead of object for params
• Splitting params into multiple objects