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Guides for Mobile Developers

React Native AdMob Tutorial (2026): Complete Guide to Monetizing Your App

Written by

Mahisa Ajy Kusuma

If you’ve built a React Native application and are looking for ways to generate revenue, Google AdMob is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly monetization solutions available today.

With AdMob, you can display advertisements inside your application and earn money whenever users view or interact with those ads. Whether you’re developing a utility app, a social platform, an educational app, or a game, AdMob can help transform your project into a source of recurring income.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to integrate Google AdMob into a React Native application using the widely adopted react-native-google-mobile-ads package.

Why Use AdMob?

Google AdMob is trusted by millions of developers worldwide because it offers:

  • Easy integration
  • Global advertiser network
  • Multiple ad formats
  • Real-time analytics
  • Revenue optimization tools
  • Support for Android and iOS

Some of the most successful mobile applications use AdMob as part of their monetization strategy.

Ad Formats Available in AdMob

Before implementing AdMob, it’s important to understand the different ad formats available.

Banner Ads

Banner ads are small advertisements displayed at the top or bottom of the screen.

Advantages:

  • Easy to implement
  • Non-intrusive
  • Suitable for most applications

Disadvantages:

  • Lower revenue compared to other ad formats

Interstitial Ads

Interstitial ads are full-screen advertisements that appear during natural transitions within the application.

Examples:

  • Between game levels
  • After completing a task
  • Before navigating to another screen

Advantages:

  • Higher CPM
  • Better revenue potential

Disadvantages:

  • Can negatively affect user experience if overused

Rewarded Ads

Rewarded ads allow users to watch a video advertisement voluntarily in exchange for rewards.

Examples:

  • Extra lives in games
  • Premium features
  • Virtual currency

Advantages:

  • Highest engagement
  • Excellent revenue generation
  • Positive user experience

App Open Ads

These ads appear when users launch the application.

Advantages:

  • Monetize application launches
  • Minimal interruption when implemented correctly

Prerequisites

Before getting started, ensure you have:

  • React Native 0.75 or newer
  • Android Studio installed
  • Xcode installed (for iOS development)
  • Google AdMob account
  • Physical device for testing
  • Basic React Native knowledge

Step 1: Create an AdMob Account

Visit the AdMob dashboard:

https://admob.google.com

Sign in using your Google account.

After creating your account:

  1. Click Apps
  2. Select Add App
  3. Choose Android or iOS
  4. Enter your application details

After registration, AdMob will provide:

  • App ID
  • Ad Unit IDs

These identifiers are required during configuration.

Example:

App ID:
ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~1234567890

Banner Ad Unit:
ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/1234567890

Save them securely.

Step 2: Install React Native Google Mobile Ads

Install the package using npm:

npm install react-native-google-mobile-ads

Or using Yarn:

yarn add react-native-google-mobile-ads

For iOS:

cd ios
pod install

Step 3: Configure Android

Open:

android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml

Inside the <application> tag add:

<meta-data
    android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
    android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~1234567890"/>

Replace the example value with your actual App ID.

Step 4: Configure iOS

Open:

ios/YourProject/Info.plist

Add:

<key>GADApplicationIdentifier</key>
<string>ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~1234567890</string>

After updating the file, execute:

cd ios
pod install

Step 5: Initialize AdMob

Initialize AdMob when your application starts.

import mobileAds from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

mobileAds()
  .initialize()
  .then(() => {
    console.log('AdMob Initialized');
  });

Using React Hooks:

import React, { useEffect } from 'react';
import mobileAds from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

export default function App() {
  useEffect(() => {
    mobileAds().initialize();
  }, []);

  return null;
}

Step 6: Add a Banner Ad

Banner ads are the simplest way to start monetizing.

Import the required components:

import {
  BannerAd,
  BannerAdSize,
  TestIds,
} from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

Display the ad:

<BannerAd
  unitId={TestIds.BANNER}
  size={BannerAdSize.BANNER}
/>

Complete example:

import React from 'react';
import { View } from 'react-native';
import {
  BannerAd,
  BannerAdSize,
  TestIds,
} from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

export default function HomeScreen() {
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1 }}>
      <BannerAd
        unitId={TestIds.BANNER}
        size={BannerAdSize.BANNER}
      />
    </View>
  );
}

Step 7: Implement Interstitial Ads

Interstitial ads typically generate higher revenue.

import {
  InterstitialAd,
  TestIds,
  AdEventType,
} from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

const interstitial = InterstitialAd.createForAdRequest(
  TestIds.INTERSTITIAL
);

interstitial.addAdEventListener(
  AdEventType.LOADED,
  () => {
    interstitial.show();
  }
);

interstitial.load();

A common strategy is to show an interstitial ad every few user actions rather than after every interaction.

Step 8: Implement Rewarded Ads

Rewarded ads are often the most profitable format.

import {
  RewardedAd,
  RewardedAdEventType,
  TestIds,
} from 'react-native-google-mobile-ads';

const rewarded = RewardedAd.createForAdRequest(
  TestIds.REWARDED
);

rewarded.addAdEventListener(
  RewardedAdEventType.EARNED_REWARD,
  reward => {
    console.log('Reward earned:', reward);
  }
);

rewarded.load();

Show the ad:

rewarded.show();

Example reward scenarios:

  • Unlock premium content
  • Extra game lives
  • Remove cooldown timers
  • Access advanced features

Step 9: Use Test Ads During Development

Never use production ads while testing.

Google provides dedicated test IDs:

TestIds.BANNER
TestIds.INTERSTITIAL
TestIds.REWARDED

Using real advertisements during development can result in account suspension.

Always test using Google’s official test units.

Step 10: Replace Test IDs with Production IDs

When your application is ready for release:

Replace:

TestIds.BANNER

With:

'ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/1234567890'

Example:

<BannerAd
  unitId="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/1234567890"
  size={BannerAdSize.BANNER}
/>

Do the same for interstitial and rewarded advertisements.

Best Practices for Maximizing Revenue

Use Multiple Ad Formats

Applications that combine:

  • Banner Ads
  • Interstitial Ads
  • Rewarded Ads

typically generate higher revenue than applications relying on a single ad type.

Prioritize User Experience

Aggressive advertising can lead to:

  • Uninstalls
  • Negative reviews
  • Lower retention

A good user experience generally results in better long-term earnings.

Use Rewarded Ads Whenever Possible

Rewarded ads provide:

  • Better engagement
  • Higher CPM
  • Improved user satisfaction

Many successful mobile games rely heavily on rewarded advertisements.

Monitor Analytics

Track metrics such as:

  • Impressions
  • eCPM
  • Fill Rate
  • CTR
  • Revenue

These insights help identify optimization opportunities.

Common Issues and Solutions

Ads Are Not Displaying

Check:

  • Internet connection
  • Correct App ID
  • Correct Ad Unit ID
  • AdMob account status
  • Device logs

Android Build Errors

Clean the project:

cd android
./gradlew clean

Rebuild:

npx react-native run-android

iOS Ads Not Appearing

Run:

cd ios
pod install

Then rebuild the application.

How Much Can You Earn with AdMob?

Revenue depends on several factors:

  • User location
  • Ad format
  • Session duration
  • Number of impressions
  • Industry niche

Generally:

  • Rewarded ads generate the highest revenue
  • Interstitial ads generate moderate revenue
  • Banner ads generate the lowest revenue

Applications with active users in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom often receive significantly higher CPM rates.

Final Thoughts

Google AdMob remains one of the easiest and most effective monetization solutions for React Native developers in 2026.

By integrating banner ads, interstitial ads, and rewarded ads strategically, you can create a sustainable revenue stream while maintaining a positive user experience.

For most applications, the best strategy is to start with banner ads, add rewarded ads for premium features, and carefully introduce interstitial ads during natural user transitions.

As your application grows, you can further increase earnings through AdMob Mediation, advanced targeting, and A/B testing to optimize performance and maximize revenue.

Happy coding and happy monetizing!

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