React Native UI Serialization Issues

When working with styling libraries in React Native, serialization errors can be a frustrating roadblock. This article explores common causes and solutions.

The Problem

The dreaded "Failed to serialize javascript object" error in Uniwind (a NativeWind alternative) often occurs when complex CSS patterns are passed through the styling engine.

Common Causes

1. Arbitrary font-family values — Using bracket syntax like font-[CustomFont]
2. Complex nested selectors — Pseudo-classes that don't translate to native
3. Third-party component wrapping — Components that don't forward style props

The Fix

Instead of arbitrary values, use Uniwind's @theme variable approach:

// Bad: Causes serialization error
<Text className="font-[CustomFont]">Hello</Text>

// Good: Use theme variables
<Text className="font-custom">Hello</Text>

Conclusion

Understanding the limitations of CSS-in-JS solutions in React Native helps you write more robust and maintainable styles.