AsyncStorage for key-value in React Native - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is AsyncStorage in React Native?

AsyncStorage is a simple, unencrypted, asynchronous, persistent, key-value storage system for React Native apps. It lets you save data locally on the device.

beginner

How do you save a value with AsyncStorage?

Use AsyncStorage.setItem(key, value) to save a string value under a key. It returns a Promise that resolves when the data is saved.

beginner

How do you read a value from AsyncStorage?

Use AsyncStorage.getItem(key) to get the value stored under the key. It returns a Promise that resolves to the string value or null if not found.

intermediate

Why is AsyncStorage asynchronous?

AsyncStorage is asynchronous to avoid blocking the app’s user interface while reading or writing data, keeping the app smooth and responsive.

intermediate

Can AsyncStorage store objects directly?

No, AsyncStorage stores only strings. To save objects, convert them to strings using JSON.stringify before saving, and parse them back with JSON.parse when reading.

Which method saves data in AsyncStorage?

A getItem

B setItem

C removeItem

D clear

setItem is used to save a key-value pair in AsyncStorage.

What type of data does AsyncStorage store?

A Only strings

B Only numbers

C Objects directly

D Binary files

AsyncStorage stores only strings. Objects must be converted to strings first.

Why should AsyncStorage operations be asynchronous?

A To speed up network calls

B To save battery

C To encrypt data

D To keep the app responsive

AsyncStorage is asynchronous to avoid blocking the UI thread and keep the app smooth.

How do you retrieve a value from AsyncStorage?

A getItem(key)

B setItem(key)

C fetchItem(key)

D loadItem(key)

getItem(key) returns the stored string value for the given key.

What should you do before saving an object in AsyncStorage?

A Encrypt it

B Compress it

C Convert it to a string with JSON.stringify

D Convert it to a number

Objects must be converted to strings using JSON.stringify before saving.

Explain how to save and retrieve a user name using AsyncStorage in React Native.

Think about saving a string under a key and reading it back asynchronously.

Describe why AsyncStorage uses asynchronous methods and how that benefits app performance.

Consider what happens if storage was synchronous and how it affects the app.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of AsyncStorage in React Native?

easy

A. To create complex animations in the app

B. To handle network requests and API calls

C. To store small amounts of data as key-value pairs on the device

D. To manage app navigation between screens

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand AsyncStorage's role

   AsyncStorage is designed to save simple data like user preferences as key-value pairs on the device.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Animations, network requests, and navigation are handled by other libraries or APIs, not AsyncStorage.

3. Final Answer:

   To store small amounts of data as key-value pairs on the device -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   AsyncStorage = key-value storage [OK]

Hint: AsyncStorage saves simple data locally as key-value pairs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing AsyncStorage with network or UI libraries
• Thinking AsyncStorage manages navigation or animations

2. Which of the following is the correct way to save a value using AsyncStorage in React Native?

easy

A. await AsyncStorage.setItem('key', 'value');

B. AsyncStorage.save('key', 'value');

C. AsyncStorage.store('key', 'value');

D. await AsyncStorage.put('key', 'value');

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall AsyncStorage method for saving data

   The correct method to save data is setItem, which returns a promise and requires await.

2. Step 2: Check method names

   Methods like save, store, and put do not exist in AsyncStorage API.

3. Final Answer:

   await AsyncStorage.setItem('key', 'value'); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Save data = setItem [OK]

Hint: Use setItem with await to save data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect method names like save or put
• Forgetting to use await with async calls

3. What will be logged to the console after running this code?

import AsyncStorage from '@react-native-async-storage/async-storage';

async function test() {
  await AsyncStorage.setItem('name', 'Alice');
  const value = await AsyncStorage.getItem('name');
  console.log(value);
}
test();

medium

A. Alice

B. null

C. Error: AsyncStorage not found

D. undefined

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze setItem and getItem usage

   The code saves the string 'Alice' under the key 'name' and then retrieves it correctly using await.

2. Step 2: Understand console output

   Since the value was saved and retrieved successfully, console.log prints 'Alice'.

3. Final Answer:

   Alice -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Saved value retrieved = Alice [OK]

Hint: getItem returns saved string or null if missing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting undefined instead of null or string
• Not awaiting async calls causing errors

4. Identify the error in this AsyncStorage usage:

import AsyncStorage from '@react-native-async-storage/async-storage';

function saveData() {
  AsyncStorage.setItem('token', 'abc123');
  console.log('Token saved');
}
saveData();

medium

A. console.log should be inside a .then() callback

B. Wrong method name setItem should be saveItem

C. AsyncStorage must be imported from 'react-native' not '@react-native-async-storage/async-storage'

D. Missing await before AsyncStorage.setItem causing unhandled promise

Solution

1. Step 1: Check async usage of setItem

   AsyncStorage.setItem returns a promise and should be awaited or handled with then to ensure completion.

2. Step 2: Identify missing await

   The function saveData is not async and does not await setItem, so the promise is unhandled and may cause issues.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing await before AsyncStorage.setItem causing unhandled promise -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   AsyncStorage.setItem needs await [OK]

Hint: Always await AsyncStorage async calls to avoid unhandled promises [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to make function async and use await
• Using wrong import source
• Incorrect method names

5. You want to remove a saved user preference with key 'theme' and then confirm it is removed. Which code snippet correctly does this?

hard

A. await AsyncStorage.clear('theme'); const val = await AsyncStorage.getItem('theme'); console.log(val);

B. await AsyncStorage.removeItem('theme'); const val = await AsyncStorage.getItem('theme'); console.log(val);

C. AsyncStorage.delete('theme'); const val = AsyncStorage.get('theme'); console.log(val);

D. AsyncStorage.remove('theme'); const val = AsyncStorage.getItem('theme'); console.log(val);

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct method to remove a key

   The correct method to remove a key is removeItem, which returns a promise and should be awaited.

2. Step 2: Confirm removal by getting the key

   After removal, calling getItem returns null, confirming deletion.

3. Final Answer:

   await AsyncStorage.removeItem('theme'); const val = await AsyncStorage.getItem('theme'); console.log(val); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Remove key = removeItem + await [OK]

Hint: Use removeItem with await to delete keys safely [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like delete or remove
• Not awaiting async calls
• Using clear which removes all keys, not one