Fix React Native Firebase Analytics Deprecation Warning

React Native Firebase v22.2.1 deprecated the analytics().setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled() method as part of the migration to match the Firebase Web modular SDK API. The deprecation warning occurs because you’re using the legacy namespaced API instead of the new modular approach. The proper implementation requires using the Firebase Analytics configuration object during app initialization rather than calling this method after the analytics instance is created.

Contents

• Understanding the Deprecation Warning
• The Problem with setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled
• The Modern Modular SDK Approach
• Proper Implementation for v22.2.1
• Complete Migration Guide
• Testing the New Implementation
• Best Practices for Analytics Configuration

Understanding the Deprecation Warning

The deprecation warning you’re seeing is part of React Native Firebase’s v22 migration strategy. The warning explicitly states:

“This method is deprecated (as well as all React Native Firebase namespaced API) and will be removed in the next major release as part of move to match Firebase Web modular SDK API. Please see migration guide for more details: https://rnfirebase.io/migrating-to-v22 Please use getApp() instead.”

This warning indicates that the entire analytics() namespace approach is being phased out in favor of a more modular, configuration-based approach that aligns with Firebase’s modern Web SDK. The setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled() method specifically is being deprecated because analytics collection settings should now be configured at the app initialization level rather than dynamically changed after initialization.

The Problem with setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled

The setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled() method has several limitations that led to its deprecation:

1. Late Configuration: It allows changing analytics collection settings after the app has already initialized, which can lead to inconsistent behavior
2. Platform Inconsistencies: Different platforms handle analytics collection settings differently when changed after initialization
3. Privacy Compliance: Modern privacy regulations require explicit consent before any data collection begins, which is better handled at initialization
4. Performance: Dynamic configuration changes can impact app performance and analytics accuracy

The migration guide recommends moving to a configuration-based approach where analytics settings are defined when the Firebase app is first created.

The Modern Modular SDK Approach

React Native Firebase v22 adopts the modular SDK approach used by Firebase Web SDK. Instead of calling methods on the analytics() instance, you now configure analytics through the Firebase app configuration object.

The key changes include:

• Configuration at Initialization: Analytics settings are now part of the Firebase app configuration
• Explicit Consent: Privacy settings must be configured before app initialization
• Type Safety: Better TypeScript support with strongly-typed configuration objects
• Consistent API: Unified approach across all Firebase services

This approach ensures that analytics collection settings are properly applied from the moment the Firebase app is initialized, rather than trying to change them dynamically.

Proper Implementation for v22.2.1

Here’s how to properly implement analytics collection settings without deprecated methods:

1. Update Your Firebase Initialization

Instead of initializing the app and then setting analytics collection, configure it during initialization:

import { getApp, getApps, initializeApp } from "@react-native-firebase/app";

// Configure Firebase with analytics settings
const firebaseConfig = {
  apiKey: "your-api-key",
  authDomain: "your-auth-domain",
  projectId: "your-project-id",
  storageBucket: "your-storage-bucket",
  messagingSenderId: "your-messaging-sender-id",
  appId: "your-app-id",
  // Add analytics configuration here
  measurementId: "your-measurement-id"
};

// Initialize with analytics collection settings
const app = getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig, {
  analyticsCollectionEnabled: localConfig.trackingAllowed // Set this during initialization
});

2. Use the New Analytics API

Access analytics through the Firebase app instance:

import { getAnalytics } from "@react-native-firebase/analytics";

// Get analytics instance from the configured app
const analytics = getAnalytics(app);

// No need to call setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled anymore
// The setting is already applied during app initialization

3. Complete Implementation Example

Here’s a complete example showing the proper implementation:

import { 
  getApp, 
  getApps, 
  initializeApp 
} from "@react-native-firebase/app";
import { getAnalytics } from "@react-native-firebase/analytics";

// Your local configuration
const localConfig = {
  trackingAllowed: true, // This comes from your user consent logic
  // ... other config
};

// Firebase configuration
const firebaseConfig = {
  apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY",
  authDomain: "YOUR_AUTH_DOMAIN",
  projectId: "YOUR_PROJECT_ID",
  storageBucket: "YOUR_STORAGE_BUCKET",
  messagingSenderId: "YOUR_MESSAGING_SENDER_ID",
  appId: "YOUR_APP_ID",
  measurementId: "YOUR_MEASUREMENT_ID"
};

// Initialize Firebase with analytics settings
const app = getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig, {
  analyticsCollectionEnabled: localConfig.trackingAllowed
});

// Get analytics instance
const analytics = getAnalytics(app);

// Now you can use analytics methods without deprecation warnings
await analytics().logEvent('app_started', { timestamp: new Date().toISOString() });

Complete Migration Guide

Step 1: Update Your Import Statements

Remove the direct analytics import and use the modular approach:

// OLD (deprecated)
import analytics from "@react-native-firebase/analytics";

// NEW (recommended)
import { getAnalytics } from "@react-native-firebase/analytics";

Step 2: Modify App Initialization

Update your Firebase initialization to include analytics collection settings:

// OLD approach
const app = getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig);
await analytics().setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled(localConfig.trackingAllowed);

// NEW approach
const app = getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig, {
  analyticsCollectionEnabled: localConfig.trackingAllowed
});

Step 3: Update Analytics Usage

Change how you access the analytics instance:

// OLD (still works but deprecated)
const analyticsInstance = analytics();
await analyticsInstance.logEvent('event_name');

// NEW (recommended)
const analyticsInstance = getAnalytics(app);
await analyticsInstance.logEvent('event_name');

Step 4: Handle Dynamic Consent Changes

If you need to change analytics collection settings dynamically (like when a user changes their privacy preferences), you’ll need to reinitialize the Firebase app:

function updateAnalyticsConsent(allowed) {
  // Get current config
  const currentConfig = getApp().options;
  
  // Update analytics setting
  currentConfig.analyticsCollectionEnabled = allowed;
  
  // Reinitialize the app
  initializeApp(currentConfig, getApp().name);
}

Testing the New Implementation

1. Verify No Deprecation Warnings

After implementing the new approach, run your app and check that no deprecation warnings appear in the console.

2. Test Analytics Collection

Verify that analytics collection works as expected:

• When trackingAllowed = true: Events should be logged and sent to Firebase
• When trackingAllowed = false: No events should be collected

3. Test Platform Compatibility

Test on both Android and iOS to ensure the behavior is consistent:

// Check if analytics is enabled (for debugging)
const analyticsEnabled = getApp().options?.analyticsCollectionEnabled;
console.log('Analytics collection enabled:', analyticsEnabled);

4. Test Dynamic Changes

If you implemented dynamic consent changes, test the reinitialization process:

// Test enabling analytics
updateAnalyticsConsent(true);
console.log('Analytics reinitialized with collection enabled');

// Test disabling analytics  
updateAnalyticsConsent(false);
console.log('Analytics reinitialized with collection disabled');

Best Practices

1. Privacy First

Always get explicit user consent before enabling analytics collection:

// Example of handling user consent
const handleUserConsent = (consentGiven) => {
  const app = getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig, {
    analyticsCollectionEnabled: consentGiven
  });
  
  if (consentGiven) {
    // Show welcome message or onboarding
    showAnalyticsOnboarding();
  }
};

2. Graceful Fallbacks

Handle cases where Firebase might not be available:

try {
  const app = getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig, {
    analyticsCollectionEnabled: localConfig.trackingAllowed
  });
  const analytics = getAnalytics(app);
  return analytics;
} catch (error) {
  console.error('Failed to initialize Firebase:', error);
  return null;
}

3. Environment-Specific Configuration

Use different configurations for development and production:

const getFirebaseConfig = () => {
  if (__DEV__) {
    return {
      // Development config
      analyticsCollectionEnabled: false, // Disable analytics in dev
      // ... other dev settings
    };
  }
  return {
    // Production config  
    analyticsCollectionEnabled: localConfig.trackingAllowed,
    // ... other prod settings
  };
};

4. Documentation and Comments

Document your analytics configuration for future maintainers:

/**
 * Initializes Firebase with analytics settings based on user consent.
 * @param {boolean} trackingAllowed - Whether analytics collection is enabled
 * @returns {FirebaseApp} The initialized Firebase app instance
 */
const initializeFirebaseWithAnalytics = (trackingAllowed) => {
  return getApps().length ? getApp() : initializeApp(firebaseConfig, {
    analyticsCollectionEnabled: trackingAllowed,
    // Note: Analytics settings must be configured at initialization
    // in React Native Firebase v22+ to avoid deprecation warnings
  });
};

Sources

1. React Native Firebase Migration Guide - v22
2. Firebase Web SDK Documentation - Analytics Configuration
3. React Native Firebase v22.2.1 Release Notes
4. Firebase Modular SDK Migration
5. React Native Firebase Analytics Documentation

Conclusion

The deprecation warning for analytics().setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled() in React Native Firebase v22.2.1 is part of the migration to Firebase’s modular SDK approach. The proper solution is to configure analytics collection settings during Firebase app initialization rather than calling the method after initialization.

Key takeaways:

• Move analytics configuration to the initializeApp() call using the analyticsCollectionEnabled option
• Use getAnalytics(app) instead of the deprecated analytics() namespace
• Handle dynamic consent changes by reinitializing the Firebase app with updated settings
• Always prioritize user privacy and get explicit consent before enabling analytics
• Test thoroughly on both Android and iOS platforms

By following the modular SDK approach, you’ll eliminate deprecation warnings and ensure your app is ready for future React Native Firebase updates while maintaining optimal analytics functionality.