React Native Maps Bug - Minimum Reproducible Example

This is a minimum reproducible example (MRE) demonstrating a bug in React Native Maps when navigating between screens containing MapView components.

Bug Description

Issue: NullPointerException occurs when navigating between screens containing MapView components, specifically during the onSaveInstanceState lifecycle method.

Error:

FATAL EXCEPTION: main
Process: com.mapsmre, PID: 19104
java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to invoke interface method 'void com.google.maps.api.android.lib6.impl.bp.z(android.os.Bundle)' on a null object reference
	at com.google.maps.api.android.lib6.impl.ct.k(:com.google.android.gms.dynamite_mapsdynamite@[email protected] (260400-0):3)
	at com.google.android.gms.maps.internal.p.be(:com.google.android.gms.dynamite_mapsdynamite@[email protected] (260400-0):109)
	...
	at com.rnmaps.maps.MapView.onDetachedFromWindow(MapView.java:341)

Reproduction Steps

1. Install dependencies: npm install
2. Run the app: npm run android
3. Follow the screen flow as suggested by the buttons:
   • Start at OGMap screen (contains MapView)
   • Tap "Go to MiddleWareToAnotherMap" button
   • Tap "Go to NewMap" button (contains another MapView)
   • Navigate back and forth between screens

The crash typically occurs when navigating away from a screen containing a MapView component.

Technical Details

• React Native Maps version: 1.26.13
• React Native version: 0.81.4
• Expo version: 54.0.1
• Platform: Android
• Navigation: React Navigation Native Stack

Quick Start

1. Install dependencies:

   npm install

2. Run the app:

   npm run android

3. Reproduce the bug:

   • Follow the button flow: OGMap → MiddleWareToAnotherMap → NewMap
   • Navigate back and forth between screens
   • The crash should occur when navigating away from MapView screens

Project Structure

• src/navigation/maps/OGMap.tsx - Initial screen with MapView
• src/navigation/maps/MiddlewareToAnotherMap.tsx - Middleware screen (no MapView)
• src/navigation/maps/NewMap.tsx - Second screen with MapView
• Navigation flow: OGMap → MiddlewareToAnotherMap → NewMap

Related Issues

This MRE demonstrates a known issue with React Native Maps when used with React Navigation. The bug occurs during the Android lifecycle management of MapView components.

Resources

• React Native Maps documentation
• React Navigation documentation
• Expo documentation

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Note: This is a minimal reproducible example created to demonstrate the bug. The issue appears to be related to the interaction between React Native Maps and React Navigation's screen lifecycle management on Android.