React Native HTTP API Not Working While HTTPS Works (Android & iOS Fix)

 Published: January 20, 2026 | Reading Time: 8 minutes

About the Author

Emachalan is a Full-Stack Developer specializing in MEAN & MERN Stack, focused on building scalable web and mobile applications with clean, user-centric code.

Key Takeaways

• HTTP traffic is blocked by default on both Android and iOS platforms as a security measure
• Never enable HTTP globally in production apps—this creates severe security vulnerabilities
• Use domain-specific or IP-specific configurations to allow HTTP only during development
• Understand correct IP addressing for emulators versus physical devices
• Always use HTTPS in production to meet platform security standards and protect user data
  
  

If your HTTP API works flawlessly in Postman and browsers but mysteriously fails inside your React Native app, you're experiencing one of the most common frustrations in mobile development. This isn't a React Native bug—it's a deliberate security measure implemented by both Android and iOS platforms to protect user data from insecure connections.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore why HTTP requests fail while HTTPS works perfectly, and more importantly, how to fix this issue correctly without compromising your app's security or risking rejection from the App Store and Play Store.

Understanding the Problem: Why HTTP Fails in React Native

The core issue isn't with React Native itself—it's a platform-level security policy. Both Android and iOS operating systems intentionally block unencrypted HTTP traffic by default to prevent data interception, man-in-the-middle attacks, and credential theft.

Common Symptoms

You're likely facing this issue if you notice:

    ✔ API works perfectly in Postman 
    ✔ API works in your web browser 
    ✔ HTTPS requests work inside React Native 
    ✘ HTTP fails only inside the mobile app 
    ✘ Generic errors like "Network request failed" 
    ✘ Works on emulator but fails on physical devices 

The Root Cause Explained

Mobile operating systems distinguish between encrypted and unencrypted traffic:

HTTP (Blocked by Default)

• Plain text transmission
• Vulnerable to interception
• No encryption
• Requires explicit permission

HTTPS (Allowed Automatically)

• Encrypted transmission
• Secure data transfer
• Industry standard
• No configuration needed

When you send an HTTP request from your React Native app, the operating system's security layer intercepts it before it reaches your API server. On Android, this is controlled by the Cleartext Traffic Policy, while iOS uses App Transport Security (ATS).

At AgileSoftLabs, we help businesses build secure, production-ready mobile applications that follow platform security best practices from day one.

Why You Should Never Enable HTTP Globally

Many tutorials and Stack Overflow answers suggest enabling HTTP globally using configurations like:

• NSAllowsArbitraryLoads = true on iOS
  
  
• android:usesCleartextTraffic="true" on Android

This approach is dangerous and strongly discouraged. Here's why:

Risks of Global HTTP Permission

1. Security Vulnerabilities: All network traffic becomes susceptible to interception
2. Data Exposure: User credentials, personal information, and sensitive data can be stolen
3. App Store Rejection: Apple actively rejects apps that don't justify broad HTTP access
4. Play Store Rejection: Google flags apps with excessive cleartext traffic permissions
5. Compliance Issues: Violates industry security standards and regulations

The correct approach is to allow HTTP only for specific domains or IP addresses, and only during development. Production apps should always use HTTPS exclusively.

Android Fix: Domain and IP-Specific HTTP Access

Android provides a sophisticated Network Security Configuration system that allows granular control over cleartext traffic permissions.

Step 1: Create Network Security Config File

Create a new file at the following path:

android/app/src/main/res/xml/network_security_config.xml

For Specific IP Address (Development):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<network-security-config>
  <domain-config cleartextTrafficPermitted="true">
    <domain includeSubdomains="false">192.168.1.10</domain>
  </domain-config>
</network-security-config>

For Specific Domain:

<network-security-config>
  <domain-config cleartextTrafficPermitted="true">
    <domain includeSubdomains="true">api.example.com</domain>
  </domain-config>
</network-security-config>

Step 2: Link Configuration in AndroidManifest.xml

Open android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml and add the network security configuration:

<application
  android:networkSecurityConfig="@xml/network_security_config"
  android:usesCleartextTraffic="false">
  <!-- Your other application settings -->
</application>

This configuration ensures that HTTP works only for your specified domains or IP addresses, while all other HTTP traffic remains blocked.

Step 3: Verify Internet Permission

Ensure your app has internet access by adding this permission to your AndroidManifest.xml:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />

iOS Fix: App Transport Security (ATS) Exception

iOS uses App Transport Security to enforce secure connections. You can create exceptions for specific domains during development.

Step 1: Open Info.plist

Navigate to ios/YourApp/Info.plist

Step 2: Add ATS Exception for Domain

<key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key>
<dict>
  <key>NSExceptionDomains</key>
  <dict>
    <key>api.example.com</key>
    <dict>
      <key>NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads</key>
      <true/>
      <key>NSIncludesSubdomains</key>
      <true/>
    </dict>
  </dict>
</dict>

For Specific IP Address:

<key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key>
<dict>
  <key>NSExceptionDomains</key>
  <dict>
    <key>192.168.1.10</key>
    <dict>
      <key>NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads</key>
      <true/>
      <key>NSIncludesSubdomains</key>
      <false/>
    </dict>
  </dict>
</dict>

These configurations tell iOS to allow HTTP traffic only for your development server while maintaining security for all other connections.

Critical: Understanding IP Addresses for Different Platforms

One of the most common mistakes developers make is using localhost incorrectly. The term "localhost" has different meanings depending on the environment:

What localhost Points To:

• Browser: Your computer (the host machine)
• Emulator: The emulator itself (not your computer)
• Physical Device: The device itself (not your computer)

Correct Base URLs by Platform:

Important: 192.168.1.10 should be replaced with your computer's actual local IP address on your network.

Finding Your Local IP Address:

On macOS/Linux:

ifconfig | grep "inet "

On Windows:

ipconfig

Look for the IPv4 address on your active network connection.

Implementing React Native API Calls Correctly

Here's how to structure your API calls with environment-specific base URLs:

Basic Fetch Example:

const BASE_URL = 'http://192.168.1.10:3000';

fetch(`${BASE_URL}/api/login`, {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    email: 'user@example.com',
    password: 'securepassword',
  }),
})
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Environment-Based Configuration (Recommended):

Create a configuration file to handle different environments:

// config/api.js
const API_URL = __DEV__
  ? 'http://192.168.1.10:3000'  // Development
  : 'https://api.example.com';   // Production

export default API_URL;

Then use it in your components:

import API_URL from './config/api';

fetch(`${API_URL}/api/endpoint`, {
  // your request configuration
})

This approach automatically uses HTTP during development and HTTPS in production builds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When implementing HTTP access in React Native, watch out for these frequent pitfalls:

1. Using localhost on Real Devices: Physical devices cannot access your computer's localhost
2. Enabling HTTP Globally: Creates security vulnerabilities and risks app rejection
3. Forgetting IP Changes: Your local IP changes when you switch Wi-Fi networks
4. Different Networks: Ensure your computer and mobile device are on the same Wi-Fi network
5. Firewall Blocking: Check that your computer's firewall allows incoming connections on your development port
6. Not Rebuilding After Config Changes: Android and iOS config changes require a complete rebuild

Production Deployment Best Practices

When preparing your app for production, follow these security guidelines:

1. Remove All HTTP Exceptions

Before submitting to app stores, remove all HTTP exception configurations. Your production app should only communicate over HTTPS.

2. Use Environment Variables

Implement proper environment management to separate development and production configurations:

const API_CONFIG = {
  development: {
    baseURL: 'http://192.168.1.10:3000',
    timeout: 30000,
  },
  production: {
    baseURL: 'https://api.example.com',
    timeout: 10000,
  },
};

export default API_CONFIG[__DEV__ ? 'development' : 'production'];

3. Implement Certificate Pinning

For maximum security in production, consider implementing SSL certificate pinning to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks even on HTTPS connections.

4. Use Secure API Gateway

Deploy your backend APIs behind a secure API gateway with proper SSL/TLS certificates. At AgileSoftLabs, we offer comprehensive cloud development services to help you build secure, scalable backend infrastructure.

Testing Your Implementation

After implementing the fixes, test thoroughly across different scenarios:

Testing Checklist:

• [ ] Test on Android emulator with http://10.0.2.2:port
• [ ] Test on iOS simulator with http://localhost:port
• [ ] Test on Android physical device with local IP
• [ ] Test on iOS physical device with local IP
• [ ] Verify HTTPS works in production build
• [ ] Confirm HTTP exceptions are removed for production
• [ ] Test on different Wi-Fi networks
• [ ] Verify firewall settings allow connections

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: "Network request failed" Error

Solution: Verify that:

• Your development server is running
• You're using the correct IP address
• Device and computer are on the same network
• Network security config is properly linked

Issue: Works on Emulator but Not on Physical Device

Solution: Change from localhost or 10.0.2.2 to your computer's actual local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.10).

Issue: Config Changes Not Taking Effect

Solution: Completely rebuild your app after making configuration changes:

# For Android
cd android && ./gradlew clean && cd ..
npx react-native run-android

# For iOS
cd ios && pod install && cd ..
npx react-native run-ios

Real-World Applications and Integration

Understanding HTTP vs HTTPS configuration is crucial when building production-ready mobile applications. Whether you're developing an e-commerce platform, healthcare solution, or enterprise management system, proper security configuration protects your users and ensures compliance with platform requirements.

Our team at AgileSoftLabs has extensive experience building secure React Native applications across various industries. Check out our case studies to see how we've helped businesses implement secure, scalable mobile solutions.

Conclusion

Dealing with HTTP API failures in React Native can be frustrating, but understanding the underlying security mechanisms helps you implement the right solution. Remember these key principles:

1. HTTP blocking is intentional and protects users from security threats
2. Never enable HTTP globally—use domain or IP-specific configurations
3. Use HTTP only during development with proper environment management
4. Always use HTTPS in production to ensure security and compliance
5. Understand IP addressing differences between emulators and physical devices

By following these best practices, you'll create secure mobile applications that protect user data while maintaining a smooth development experience.

Need help building secure, production-ready React Native applications? Contact AgileSoftLabs today. Our expert team specializes in mobile app development and can help you navigate platform security requirements while building exceptional user experiences.

For more insights on mobile development and software engineering best practices, explore our blog, where we share in-depth technical guides and industry expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's:

1. Can I use HTTP in production apps?

No, production apps should always use HTTPS. Both Apple and Google actively discourage HTTP usage and may reject apps that don't use encrypted connections for sensitive data.

2. Why does my API work in Postman but not in React Native?

Postman is a desktop application that doesn't enforce the same security policies as mobile operating systems. Mobile platforms block HTTP by default, while Postman allows all connections.

3. What's the difference between 10.0.2.2 and localhost?

10.0.2.2 is a special Android emulator IP that routes to your host machine's localhost. On iOS simulators, you can use localhost directly. On physical devices, you must use your computer's actual local IP address.

4. Will my app be rejected if I enable global HTTP access?

There's a high risk of rejection, especially from Apple. Reviewers look for proper justification of HTTP usage, and broad permissions are considered a security risk.

5. How do I find my computer's local IP address?

On macOS/Linux, run ifconfig in a terminal. On Windows, run ipconfig in the command prompt. Look for the IPv4 address on your active network interface.

6. Do I need to rebuild my app after changing the network security config?

Yes, configuration changes require a complete rebuild of your app. Simple hot reloads won't apply these changes.