Crash on initialization. Can't get it to run at all. C++ “basic_string(const char*) detected nullptr” runtime error.

[richardshaw700]

Describe the Bug
C++ “basic_string(const char*) detected nullptr” runtime error.
Image:

Steps To Reproduce
Try installing the library and running it with basic initialization on iOS react native

Code To Reproduce
Add
import TrackPlayer from 'react-native-track-player';
to your index.js

Replicable on Example App?
no

Environment Info:
System:
OS: macOS 15.2
CPU: (8) arm64 Apple M2
Memory: 217.02 MB / 8.00 GB
Shell:
version: "5.9"
path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
Node:
version: 20.15.0
path: /usr/local/bin/node
Yarn: Not Found
npm:
version: 10.7.0
path: /usr/local/bin/npm
Watchman: Not Found
Managers:
CocoaPods:
version: 1.15.2
path: /Users/richardshaw/.rbenv/shims/pod
SDKs:
iOS SDK:
Platforms:
- DriverKit 24.2
- iOS 18.2
- macOS 15.2
- tvOS 18.2
- visionOS 2.2
- watchOS 11.2
Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
Android Studio: Not Found
Xcode:
version: 16.2/16C5032a
path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
Java:
version: 17.0.11
path: /usr/bin/javac
Ruby:
version: 3.3.0
path: /Users/richardshaw/.rbenv/shims/ruby
npmPackages:
"@react-native-community/cli":
installed: 15.0.1
wanted: 15.0.1
react:
installed: 18.3.1
wanted: 18.3.1
react-native:
installed: 0.77.0
wanted: 0.77.0
react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
"react-native": Not Found
Android:
hermesEnabled: true
newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
hermesEnabled: true
newArchEnabled: true

"react-native-track-player": "^4.1.1",

Real device

Sequoia 15.2
iOS 18.3

https://i.ibb.co/kgm6Qqd4/player-crash.png

[richardshaw700]

Found this:

Which comes from this:

RCT_EXTERN_METHOD(setupPlayer:(NSDictionary *)data
                  resolver:(RCTPromiseResolveBlock)resolve
                  rejecter:(RCTPromiseRejectBlock)reject);

That Objective‐C in RNTrackPlayerBridge.m is the “bridge” layer for react-native-track-player—and it looks correct in the old (non‐TurboModule) architecture. But in the new TurboModule system, sometimes a RCT_EXTERN_METHOD or even a RCT_EXTERN_REMAP_MODULE can wind up producing an empty jsName, especially if the library hasn’t been fully updated for the new architecture.

Essentially, the debugging confirms that the bridging code for setupPlayer is being found, but its jsName is coming through as an empty string. That leads to std::string("") → std::string(nullptr) in the TurboModule layer.

Why This Happens

RCT_EXTERN_REMAP_MODULE(TrackPlayerModule, RNTrackPlayer, NSObject) only sets the module name (“TrackPlayerModule”) when bridging from Swift/ObjC to JavaScript. Meanwhile, RCT_EXTERN_METHOD picks up an Objective‐C method signature but does not always set a separate JavaScript method name if you don’t explicitly specify one in a “remap” macro.

Under the old architecture, that might be enough for RCTBridgeModule to generate an exported method name (like “setupPlayer”). Under the new architecture (with TurboModules), though, the bridging logic is more strict. If it doesn’t see a RCT_REMAP_METHOD(Original, JSName, ...) or some such, it can wind up with an empty or null jsName internally.

Next steps

Long term:
fix bridging for TurboModules in new architecture

Short term:
Try adding a more explicit JS name with a RCT_EXTERN_REMAP_METHOD or RCT_REMAP_METHOD.
disable new architecture

[Andrija00]

I am having same issue this needs to be fixed ASAP

[diptimaya-seneca]

Need a urgent fix with new architechture in RN 0.77. Thanks

[anultravioletaurora]

Running into this issue too 👍 on the jsMethodName getSleepTimerProgress

I get a nil objcCMethodSignature causing my app to crash

[smfunder]

hello all! I was facing the exact same issue. I had a running new arch app but I couldn't make a simple app to run. Then I started compared configuration, and the one that did work for me is this set of versions in package.json (I think the only that I changed are the devDependencies):

{
  "name": "RNTrackPlayerTestNewArch",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "private": true,
  "scripts": {
    "android": "react-native run-android",
    "ios": "react-native run-ios",
    "lint": "eslint .",
    "start": "react-native start",
    "test": "jest",
    "postinstall": "patch-package"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "patch-package": "^8.0.0",
    "react": "18.3.1",
    "react-native": "0.76.3",
    "react-native-track-player": "^4.1.1",
    "react-native-vector-icons": "^10.2.0"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@babel/core": "^7.25.2",
    "@babel/preset-env": "^7.25.3",
    "@babel/runtime": "^7.23.6",
    "@react-native-community/cli": "15.0.0",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-android": "15.0.0",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios": "15.0.0",
    "@react-native/babel-preset": "0.76.3",
    "@react-native/eslint-config": "0.76.3",
    "@react-native/metro-config": "0.76.3",
    "@react-native/typescript-config": "0.76.3",
    "@types/react": "^18.2.6",
    "@types/react-test-renderer": "^18.0.0",
    "babel-jest": "^29.6.3",
    "eslint": "^8.57.1",
    "jest": "^29.6.3",
    "prettier": "2.8.8",
    "react-test-renderer": "18.3.1",
    "typescript": "5.3.3"
  },
  "engines": {
    "node": ">=18"
  }
}

Can someone else verify if this works for you too?