diff --git a/__e2e__/config.test.ts b/__e2e__/config.test.ts
index 477a38984..f5e8e4baa 100644
--- a/__e2e__/config.test.ts
+++ b/__e2e__/config.test.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ beforeAll(() => {
 
   // Initialise React Native project
 
-  runCLI(DIR, ['init', 'TestProject']);
+  runCLI(DIR, ['init', 'TestProject', '--install-pods']);
 
   // Link CLI to the project
   const pkgs = [
diff --git a/__e2e__/init.test.ts b/__e2e__/init.test.ts
index 845ac7908..384784d7b 100644
--- a/__e2e__/init.test.ts
+++ b/__e2e__/init.test.ts
@@ -61,7 +61,14 @@ test('init fails if the directory already exists', () => {
 
 test('init should prompt for the project name', () => {
   createCustomTemplateFiles();
-  const {stdout} = runCLI(DIR, ['init', 'test', '--template', templatePath]);
+  const {stdout} = runCLI(DIR, [
+    'init',
+    'test',
+    '--template',
+    templatePath,
+    '--install-pods',
+    'false',
+  ]);
 
   (prompts as jest.MockedFunction<typeof prompts>).mockReturnValue(
     Promise.resolve({
@@ -79,6 +86,8 @@ test('init --template filepath', () => {
     '--template',
     templatePath,
     'TestInit',
+    '--install-pods',
+    'false',
   ]);
 
   expect(stdout).toContain('Run instructions');
@@ -103,6 +112,8 @@ test('init --template file with custom directory', () => {
     projectName,
     '--directory',
     'custom-path',
+    '--install-pods',
+    'false',
   ]);
 
   // make sure --directory option is used in run instructions
@@ -149,6 +160,8 @@ test('init uses npm as the package manager with --npm', () => {
     templatePath,
     'TestInit',
     '--npm',
+    '--install-pods',
+    'false',
   ]);
 
   expect(stdout).toContain('Run instructions');
diff --git a/__e2e__/root.test.ts b/__e2e__/root.test.ts
index c59b9ae97..cb262d2a7 100644
--- a/__e2e__/root.test.ts
+++ b/__e2e__/root.test.ts
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@ beforeAll(() => {
   writeFiles(cwd, {});
 
   // Initialise React Native project
-  runCLI(cwd, ['init', 'TestProject']);
-
+  runCLI(cwd, ['init', 'TestProject', '--install-pods']);
   // Link CLI to the project
   const pkgs = [
     '@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios',
diff --git a/docs/commands.md b/docs/commands.md
index bef3d4e1c..eab8776ab 100644
--- a/docs/commands.md
+++ b/docs/commands.md
@@ -96,6 +96,10 @@ module.exports = {
 
 Skip dependencies installation
 
+#### `--install-pods [boolean]`
+
+Determine if CocoaPods should be installed when initializing a project. If set to `true` it will install pods, if set to `false`, it will skip the step entirely. If not used, prompt will be displayed
+
 #### `--npm`
 > [!WARNING]  
 > `--npm` is deprecated and will be removed in the future. Please use `--pm npm` instead.
diff --git a/docs/platforms.md b/docs/platforms.md
index 0af5930e2..d55e9189d 100644
--- a/docs/platforms.md
+++ b/docs/platforms.md
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ On Android and iOS, this function returns a dependency configuration for:
 ```ts
 type IOSDependencyConfig = {
   podspecPath: string;
+  version: string;
   scriptPhases: Array<IOSScriptPhase>;
   configurations: string[];
 };
diff --git a/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/__snapshots__/index-test.ts.snap b/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/__snapshots__/index-test.ts.snap
index 10dc100fd..453523b62 100644
--- a/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/__snapshots__/index-test.ts.snap
+++ b/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/__snapshots__/index-test.ts.snap
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ Object {
       ],
       "podspecPath": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test/ReactNativeTest.podspec",
       "scriptPhases": Array [],
+      "version": "unresolved",
     },
   },
   "root": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test",
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ Object {
           "path": "./phase.sh",
         },
       ],
+      "version": "unresolved",
     },
   },
   "root": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test",
@@ -107,6 +109,7 @@ Object {
           "show_env_vars_in_log": false,
         },
       ],
+      "version": "unresolved",
     },
   },
   "root": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test",
@@ -131,6 +134,7 @@ Object {
         "configurations": Array [],
         "podspecPath": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test/ReactNativeTest.podspec",
         "scriptPhases": Array [],
+        "version": "unresolved",
       },
     },
     "root": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test",
@@ -149,6 +153,7 @@ Object {
       ],
       "podspecPath": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test/ReactNativeTest.podspec",
       "scriptPhases": Array [],
+      "version": "unresolved",
     },
   },
   "root": "<<REPLACED>>/node_modules/react-native-test",
diff --git a/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/index-test.ts b/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/index-test.ts
index 4ace69973..104ed7de0 100644
--- a/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/index-test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-config/src/__tests__/index-test.ts
@@ -241,6 +241,14 @@ test('supports dependencies from user configuration with custom root and propert
   writeFiles(DIR, {
     ...REACT_NATIVE_MOCK,
     'native-libs/local-lib/LocalRNLibrary.podspec': '',
+    'native-libs/local-lib/package.json': `
+    {
+      "name": "local-lib",
+      "version": "0.0.1",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "react-native": "0.0.1"
+      }
+    }`,
     'react-native.config.js': `
 const path = require('path');
 const root = path.resolve('${escapePathSeparator(
@@ -276,6 +284,7 @@ module.exports = {
           "configurations": Array [],
           "podspecPath": "custom-path",
           "scriptPhases": Array [],
+          "version": "0.0.1",
         },
       },
       "root": "<<REPLACED>>/native-libs/local-lib",
diff --git a/packages/cli-config/src/schema.ts b/packages/cli-config/src/schema.ts
index e2bbfbc1c..ee4ed7074 100644
--- a/packages/cli-config/src/schema.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-config/src/schema.ts
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@ export const projectConfig = t
               // IOSDependencyConfig
               .object({
                 podspecPath: t.string(),
+                version: t.string(),
                 configurations: t.array().items(t.string()).default([]),
                 scriptPhases: t.array().items(t.object()).default([]),
               })
diff --git a/packages/cli-doctor/package.json b/packages/cli-doctor/package.json
index af811e369..62bae44fb 100644
--- a/packages/cli-doctor/package.json
+++ b/packages/cli-doctor/package.json
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
     "prompts": "^2.4.2",
     "semver": "^7.5.2",
     "strip-ansi": "^5.2.0",
-    "sudo-prompt": "^9.0.0",
     "wcwidth": "^1.0.1",
     "yaml": "^2.2.1"
   },
diff --git a/packages/cli-doctor/src/index.ts b/packages/cli-doctor/src/index.ts
index 876158283..06e64ff66 100644
--- a/packages/cli-doctor/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-doctor/src/index.ts
@@ -9,4 +9,3 @@ export const commands = {info, doctor};
  * refactor the init in order to remove that connection.
  */
 export {default as versionRanges} from './tools/versionRanges';
-export {default as installPods} from './tools/installPods';
diff --git a/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/healthchecks/cocoaPods.ts b/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/healthchecks/cocoaPods.ts
index af9057a11..64443cd4b 100644
--- a/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/healthchecks/cocoaPods.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/healthchecks/cocoaPods.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import execa from 'execa';
+import {runSudo} from '@react-native-community/cli-tools';
 import {doesSoftwareNeedToBeFixed} from '../checkInstallation';
-import {runSudo} from '../installPods';
 import {logError} from './common';
 import {HealthCheckInterface} from '../../types';
 import versionRanges from '../versionRanges';
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/README.md b/packages/cli-platform-ios/README.md
index 4dc15d0e3..20210cd1a 100644
--- a/packages/cli-platform-ios/README.md
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/README.md
@@ -113,6 +113,9 @@ Installs passed binary instead of building a fresh one.
 > default: false
 
 List all available iOS devices and simulators and let you choose one to run the app.
+#### `--force-pods`,
+
+Force running `pod install` before running an app
 
 ### `build-ios`
 
@@ -165,6 +168,9 @@ Example:
 npx react-native build-ios --extra-params "-jobs 4"
 ```
 
+#### `--force-pods`,
+
+Force running `pod install` before building an app
 ### `log-ios`
 
 Usage:
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/__tests__/pods.test.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/__tests__/pods.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5c5552c93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/__tests__/pods.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+import {writeFiles, getTempDirectory, cleanup} from '../../../../jest/helpers';
+import installPods from '../tools/installPods';
+import resolvePods, {compareMd5Hashes, getIosDependencies} from '../tools/pods';
+
+const mockGet = jest.fn();
+const mockSet = jest.fn();
+jest.mock('@react-native-community/cli-tools', () => ({
+  ...Object.assign(jest.requireActual('@react-native-community/cli-tools')),
+  cacheManager: {
+    get: mockGet,
+    set: mockSet,
+  },
+}));
+jest.mock('../tools/installPods', () => jest.fn());
+const dependencyHash = 'd41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e';
+
+const packageJson = {
+  name: 'test-package',
+  dependencies: {dep1: '1.0.0'},
+  devDependencies: {dep2: '1.0.0'},
+};
+
+const commonDepConfig = {
+  root: '',
+  platforms: {
+    ios: {
+      podspecPath: '',
+      version: '1.0.0',
+      scriptPhases: [],
+      configurations: [],
+    },
+  },
+};
+
+const dependenciesConfig = {
+  dep1: {
+    name: 'dep1',
+    ...commonDepConfig,
+  },
+  dep2: {
+    name: 'dep2',
+    ...commonDepConfig,
+  },
+};
+
+const DIR = getTempDirectory('root_test');
+
+const createTempFiles = (rest?: Record<string, string>) => {
+  writeFiles(DIR, {
+    'package.json': JSON.stringify(packageJson),
+    ...rest,
+  });
+};
+
+beforeEach(async () => {
+  await cleanup(DIR);
+  jest.resetAllMocks();
+});
+
+describe('compareMd5Hashes', () => {
+  it('should return false if hashes are different', () => {
+    const result = compareMd5Hashes('hash1', 'hash2');
+
+    expect(result).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('should return true if hashes are the same', () => {
+    const result = compareMd5Hashes('hash', 'hash');
+
+    expect(result).toBe(true);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('getIosDependencies', () => {
+  it('should return only dependencies with native code', () => {
+    const result = getIosDependencies(dependenciesConfig);
+    expect(result).toEqual(['dep1@1.0.0', 'dep2@1.0.0']);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('resolvePods', () => {
+  it('should install pods if they are not installed', async () => {
+    createTempFiles({'ios/Podfile/Manifest.lock': ''});
+
+    await resolvePods(DIR, {});
+
+    expect(installPods).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('should install pods when force option is set to true', async () => {
+    createTempFiles();
+
+    await resolvePods(DIR, {}, {forceInstall: true});
+
+    expect(installPods).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('should install pods when there is no cached hash of dependencies', async () => {
+    createTempFiles();
+
+    await resolvePods(DIR, {});
+
+    expect(mockSet).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      packageJson.name,
+      'dependencies',
+      dependencyHash,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should skip pods installation if the cached hash and current hash are the same', async () => {
+    createTempFiles({'ios/Pods/Manifest.lock': ''});
+
+    mockGet.mockImplementation(() => dependencyHash);
+
+    await resolvePods(DIR, {});
+
+    expect(installPods).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it('should install pods if the cached hash and current hash are different', async () => {
+    createTempFiles({'ios/Pods/Manifest.lock': ''});
+
+    mockGet.mockImplementation(() => dependencyHash);
+
+    await resolvePods(DIR, {
+      dep1: {
+        name: 'dep1',
+        ...commonDepConfig,
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(installPods).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/buildOptions.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/buildOptions.ts
index 27ebd690e..54bb00a40 100644
--- a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/buildOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/buildOptions.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export type BuildFlags = {
   interactive?: boolean;
   destination?: string;
   extraParams?: string[];
+  forcePods?: boolean;
 };
 
 export const buildOptions = [
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/index.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/index.ts
index 08ba61b0c..1da8bb8f4 100644
--- a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/buildIOS/index.ts
@@ -11,10 +11,14 @@ import {buildProject} from './buildProject';
 import {BuildFlags, buildOptions} from './buildOptions';
 import {getConfiguration} from './getConfiguration';
 import {getXcodeProjectAndDir} from './getXcodeProjectAndDir';
+import resolvePods from '../../tools/pods';
 
 async function buildIOS(_: Array<string>, ctx: Config, args: BuildFlags) {
   const {xcodeProject, sourceDir} = getXcodeProjectAndDir(ctx.project.ios);
 
+  // check if pods need to be installed
+  await resolvePods(ctx.root, ctx.dependencies, {forceInstall: args.forcePods});
+
   process.chdir(sourceDir);
 
   const {scheme, mode} = await getConfiguration(xcodeProject, sourceDir, args);
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/runIOS/index.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/runIOS/index.ts
index eb0b95244..30f584301 100644
--- a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/runIOS/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/commands/runIOS/index.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import listIOSDevices from '../../tools/listIOSDevices';
 import {promptForDeviceSelection} from '../../tools/prompts';
 import getSimulators from '../../tools/getSimulators';
 import {getXcodeProjectAndDir} from '../buildIOS/getXcodeProjectAndDir';
+import resolvePods from '../../tools/pods';
 
 export interface FlagsT extends BuildFlags {
   simulator?: string;
@@ -47,6 +48,9 @@ async function runIOS(_: Array<string>, ctx: Config, args: FlagsT) {
 
   let {packager, port} = args;
 
+  // check if pods need to be installed
+  await resolvePods(ctx.root, ctx.dependencies, {forceInstall: args.forcePods});
+
   const packagerStatus = await isPackagerRunning(port);
 
   if (
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/config/index.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/config/index.ts
index d54e6cab9..0232a4874 100644
--- a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/config/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/config/index.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
  * LICENSE file in the root directory of this source tree.
  *
  */
+import chalk from 'chalk';
 import path from 'path';
 import fs from 'fs';
 import findPodfilePath from './findPodfilePath';
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ import {
   IOSProjectConfig,
   IOSDependencyConfig,
 } from '@react-native-community/cli-types';
+import {CLIError} from '@react-native-community/cli-tools';
 
 /**
  * Returns project config by analyzing given folder and applying some user defaults
@@ -66,8 +68,25 @@ export function dependencyConfig(
     return null;
   }
 
+  let version = 'unresolved';
+
+  try {
+    const packageJson = require(path.join(folder, 'package.json'));
+
+    if (packageJson.version) {
+      version = packageJson.version;
+    }
+  } catch {
+    throw new CLIError(
+      `Failed to locate package.json file from ${chalk.underline(
+        folder,
+      )}. This is most likely issue with your node_modules folder being corrupted. Please force install dependencies and try again`,
+    );
+  }
+
   return {
     podspecPath,
+    version,
     configurations: userConfig.configurations || [],
     scriptPhases: userConfig.scriptPhases || [],
   };
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/index.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/index.ts
index a612686d2..5242bb9fe 100644
--- a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/index.ts
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@
 
 export {default as commands} from './commands';
 export {projectConfig, dependencyConfig, findPodfilePaths} from './config';
+export {default as installPods} from './tools/installPods';
diff --git a/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/installPods.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/installPods.ts
similarity index 86%
rename from packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/installPods.ts
rename to packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/installPods.ts
index 3f531f64d..08ecadb93 100644
--- a/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/installPods.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/installPods.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,22 @@
 import fs from 'fs';
 import execa from 'execa';
+import type {Ora} from 'ora';
 import chalk from 'chalk';
 import {
   logger,
   NoopLoader,
   link,
   CLIError,
+  runSudo,
 } from '@react-native-community/cli-tools';
-import sudo from 'sudo-prompt';
 import runBundleInstall from './runBundleInstall';
-import {Loader} from '../types';
+
+interface PodInstallOptions {
+  skipBundleInstall?: boolean;
+}
 
 async function runPodInstall(
-  loader: Loader,
+  loader: Ora,
   shouldHandleRepoUpdate: boolean = true,
 ) {
   try {
@@ -52,7 +56,7 @@ async function runPodInstall(
   }
 }
 
-async function runPodUpdate(loader: Loader) {
+async function runPodUpdate(loader: Ora) {
   try {
     loader.start(
       `Updating CocoaPods repositories ${chalk.dim(
@@ -73,18 +77,6 @@ async function runPodUpdate(loader: Loader) {
   }
 }
 
-function runSudo(command: string): Promise<void> {
-  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-    sudo.exec(command, {name: 'React Native CLI'}, (error) => {
-      if (error) {
-        reject(error);
-      }
-
-      resolve();
-    });
-  });
-}
-
 async function installCocoaPodsWithGem() {
   const options = ['install', 'cocoapods', '--no-document'];
 
@@ -97,7 +89,7 @@ async function installCocoaPodsWithGem() {
   }
 }
 
-async function installCocoaPods(loader: Loader) {
+async function installCocoaPods(loader: Ora) {
   loader.stop();
 
   loader.start('Installing CocoaPods');
@@ -118,7 +110,7 @@ async function installCocoaPods(loader: Loader) {
   }
 }
 
-async function installPods(loader?: Loader) {
+async function installPods(loader?: Ora, options?: PodInstallOptions) {
   loader = loader || new NoopLoader();
   try {
     if (!fs.existsSync('ios')) {
@@ -133,7 +125,7 @@ async function installPods(loader?: Loader) {
       return;
     }
 
-    if (fs.existsSync('../Gemfile')) {
+    if (fs.existsSync('../Gemfile') && !options?.skipBundleInstall) {
       await runBundleInstall(loader);
     }
 
@@ -153,6 +145,6 @@ async function installPods(loader?: Loader) {
   }
 }
 
-export {runSudo, installCocoaPods};
+export {installCocoaPods};
 
 export default installPods;
diff --git a/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/pods.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/pods.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cb56f1085
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/pods.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+import path from 'path';
+import fs from 'fs-extra';
+import {createHash} from 'crypto';
+import chalk from 'chalk';
+import {
+  CLIError,
+  cacheManager,
+  getLoader,
+} from '@react-native-community/cli-tools';
+import installPods from './installPods';
+import findPodfilePath from '../config/findPodfilePath';
+import {
+  DependencyConfig,
+  IOSDependencyConfig,
+} from '@react-native-community/cli-types';
+
+interface ResolvePodsOptions {
+  forceInstall?: boolean;
+}
+
+interface NativeDependencies {
+  [key: string]: DependencyConfig;
+}
+
+export function getPackageJson(root: string) {
+  try {
+    return require(path.join(root, 'package.json'));
+  } catch {
+    throw new CLIError(
+      'No package.json found. Please make sure the file exists in the current folder.',
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+export function getIosDependencies(dependencies: NativeDependencies) {
+  return Object.keys(dependencies)
+    .filter((dependency) => dependencies[dependency].platforms.ios)
+    .map(
+      (dependency) =>
+        `${dependency}@${
+          (dependencies[dependency].platforms.ios as IOSDependencyConfig)
+            .version
+        }`,
+    )
+    .sort();
+}
+
+export function dependenciesToString(dependencies: string[]) {
+  return dependencies.join('\n');
+}
+
+export function generateMd5Hash(text: string) {
+  return createHash('md5').update(text).digest('hex');
+}
+
+export function compareMd5Hashes(hash1: string, hash2: string) {
+  return hash1 === hash2;
+}
+
+export default async function resolvePods(
+  root: string,
+  nativeDependencies: NativeDependencies,
+  options?: ResolvePodsOptions,
+) {
+  const packageJson = getPackageJson(root);
+  const podfilePath = findPodfilePath(root);
+  const iosFolderPath = podfilePath
+    ? podfilePath.slice(0, podfilePath.lastIndexOf('/'))
+    : path.join(root, 'ios');
+  const podsPath = path.join(iosFolderPath, 'Pods');
+  const arePodsInstalled = fs.existsSync(podsPath);
+  const iosDependencies = getIosDependencies(nativeDependencies);
+  const dependenciesString = dependenciesToString(iosDependencies);
+  const currentDependenciesHash = generateMd5Hash(dependenciesString);
+  const cachedDependenciesHash = cacheManager.get(
+    packageJson.name,
+    'dependencies',
+  );
+
+  if (
+    !cachedDependenciesHash ||
+    !compareMd5Hashes(currentDependenciesHash, cachedDependenciesHash) ||
+    !arePodsInstalled ||
+    options?.forceInstall
+  ) {
+    const loader = getLoader('Installing CocoaPods...');
+    try {
+      await installPods(loader, {skipBundleInstall: !!cachedDependenciesHash});
+      cacheManager.set(
+        packageJson.name,
+        'dependencies',
+        currentDependenciesHash,
+      );
+      loader.succeed();
+    } catch {
+      loader.fail();
+      throw new CLIError(
+        `Something when wrong while installing CocoaPods. Please run ${chalk.bold(
+          'pod install',
+        )} manually`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/runBundleInstall.ts b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/runBundleInstall.ts
similarity index 88%
rename from packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/runBundleInstall.ts
rename to packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/runBundleInstall.ts
index ce601528f..ca46bfa1c 100644
--- a/packages/cli-doctor/src/tools/runBundleInstall.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-platform-ios/src/tools/runBundleInstall.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 import execa from 'execa';
 import {CLIError, logger, link} from '@react-native-community/cli-tools';
+import type {Ora} from 'ora';
 
-import {Loader} from '../types';
-
-async function runBundleInstall(loader: Loader) {
+async function runBundleInstall(loader: Ora) {
   try {
     loader.start('Installing Ruby Gems');
 
diff --git a/packages/cli-tools/package.json b/packages/cli-tools/package.json
index 4403f8855..b69e474cb 100644
--- a/packages/cli-tools/package.json
+++ b/packages/cli-tools/package.json
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
     "open": "^6.2.0",
     "ora": "^5.4.1",
     "semver": "^7.5.2",
-    "shell-quote": "^1.7.3"
+    "shell-quote": "^1.7.3",
+    "sudo-prompt": "^9.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@react-native-community/cli-types": "12.0.0-alpha.13",
diff --git a/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/releaseCacheManager.ts b/packages/cli-tools/src/cacheManager.ts
similarity index 79%
rename from packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/releaseCacheManager.ts
rename to packages/cli-tools/src/cacheManager.ts
index 08cae4161..367d7b513 100644
--- a/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/releaseCacheManager.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-tools/src/cacheManager.ts
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ import path from 'path';
 import fs from 'fs';
 import os from 'os';
 import appDirs from 'appdirsjs';
-import logger from '../logger';
+import logger from './logger';
 
-type ReleaseCacheKey = 'eTag' | 'lastChecked' | 'latestVersion';
-type Cache = {[key in ReleaseCacheKey]?: string};
+type CacheKey = 'eTag' | 'lastChecked' | 'latestVersion' | 'dependencies';
+type Cache = {[key in CacheKey]?: string};
 
 function loadCache(name: string): Cache | undefined {
   try {
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ function loadCache(name: string): Cache | undefined {
       // Create cache file since it doesn't exist.
       saveCache(name, {});
     }
-    logger.debug('No release cache found');
+    logger.debug('No cache found');
     return undefined;
   }
 }
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ function getCacheRootPath() {
   return cachePath;
 }
 
-function get(name: string, key: ReleaseCacheKey): string | undefined {
+function get(name: string, key: CacheKey): string | undefined {
   const cache = loadCache(name);
   if (cache) {
     return cache[key];
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ function get(name: string, key: ReleaseCacheKey): string | undefined {
   return undefined;
 }
 
-function set(name: string, key: ReleaseCacheKey, value: string) {
+function set(name: string, key: CacheKey, value: string) {
   const cache = loadCache(name);
   if (cache) {
     cache[key] = value;
diff --git a/packages/cli-tools/src/index.ts b/packages/cli-tools/src/index.ts
index 5628d5265..f25fcdb86 100644
--- a/packages/cli-tools/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-tools/src/index.ts
@@ -14,5 +14,7 @@ export * as link from './doclink';
 export {default as startServerInNewWindow} from './startServerInNewWindow';
 export {default as handlePortUnavailable} from './handlePortUnavailable';
 export * from './port';
+export {default as cacheManager} from './cacheManager';
+export {default as runSudo} from './runSudo';
 
 export * from './errors';
diff --git a/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/getLatestRelease.ts b/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/getLatestRelease.ts
index 7b438cb3f..e9989f223 100644
--- a/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/getLatestRelease.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/getLatestRelease.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import semver from 'semver';
-import cacheManager from './releaseCacheManager';
+import cacheManager from '../cacheManager';
 import {fetch} from '../fetch';
 import logger from '../logger';
 
diff --git a/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/printNewRelease.ts b/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/printNewRelease.ts
index 4653b9f12..d9f13e429 100644
--- a/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/printNewRelease.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-tools/src/releaseChecker/printNewRelease.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import * as link from '../doclink';
 
 import logger from '../logger';
 import {Release} from './getLatestRelease';
-import cacheManager from './releaseCacheManager';
+import cacheManager from '../cacheManager';
 
 /**
  * Notifies the user that a newer version of React Native is available.
diff --git a/packages/cli-tools/src/runSudo.ts b/packages/cli-tools/src/runSudo.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eb406783c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli-tools/src/runSudo.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import sudo from 'sudo-prompt';
+
+export default function runSudo(command: string): Promise<void> {
+  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    sudo.exec(command, {name: 'React Native CLI'}, (error) => {
+      if (error) {
+        reject(error);
+      }
+
+      resolve();
+    });
+  });
+}
diff --git a/packages/cli-types/src/ios.ts b/packages/cli-types/src/ios.ts
index 3c0b54163..808791d44 100644
--- a/packages/cli-types/src/ios.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-types/src/ios.ts
@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@ export interface IOSProjectConfig {
 
 export interface IOSDependencyConfig {
   podspecPath: string;
+  version: string;
   scriptPhases: Array<IOSScriptPhase>;
   configurations: string[];
 }
 
 export type IOSDependencyParams = Omit<
   Partial<IOSDependencyConfig>,
-  'podspecPath'
+  'podspecPath' | 'version'
 >;
 
 /**
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/init/index.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/init/index.ts
index af773e319..be2aaee2f 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/init/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/init/index.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ export default {
       name: '--skip-install',
       description: 'Skips dependencies installation step',
     },
+    {
+      name: '--install-pods [boolean]',
+      description:
+        'Determine if CocoaPods should be installed when initializing a project',
+    },
     {
       name: '--package-name <string>',
       description:
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/init/init.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/init/init.ts
index 30ad44c1f..b6351cb19 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/init/init.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/init/init.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import os from 'os';
 import path from 'path';
 import fs from 'fs-extra';
 import {validateProjectName} from './validate';
+import {prompt} from 'prompts';
+import chalk from 'chalk';
 import DirectoryAlreadyExistsError from './errors/DirectoryAlreadyExistsError';
 import printRunInstructions from './printRunInstructions';
 import {
@@ -9,7 +11,9 @@ import {
   logger,
   getLoader,
   Loader,
+  cacheManager,
 } from '@react-native-community/cli-tools';
+import {installPods} from '@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios';
 import {
   installTemplatePackage,
   getTemplateConfig,
@@ -18,13 +22,12 @@ import {
 } from './template';
 import {changePlaceholderInTemplate} from './editTemplate';
 import * as PackageManager from '../../tools/packageManager';
-import {installPods} from '@react-native-community/cli-doctor';
 import banner from './banner';
 import TemplateAndVersionError from './errors/TemplateAndVersionError';
 import {getBunVersionIfAvailable} from '../../tools/bun';
 import {getNpmVersionIfAvailable} from '../../tools/npm';
 import {getYarnVersionIfAvailable} from '../../tools/yarn';
-import prompts from 'prompts';
+import {createHash} from 'crypto';
 
 const DEFAULT_VERSION = 'latest';
 
@@ -38,6 +41,7 @@ type Options = {
   skipInstall?: boolean;
   version?: string;
   packageName?: string;
+  installPods?: string | boolean;
 };
 
 interface TemplateOptions {
@@ -49,6 +53,7 @@ interface TemplateOptions {
   projectTitle?: string;
   skipInstall?: boolean;
   packageName?: string;
+  installCocoaPods?: string | boolean;
 }
 
 function doesDirectoryExist(dir: string) {
@@ -84,6 +89,15 @@ function getTemplateName(cwd: string) {
   return name;
 }
 
+//set cache to empty string to prevent installing cocoapods on freshly created project
+function setEmptyHashForCachedDependencies(projectName: string) {
+  cacheManager.set(
+    projectName,
+    'dependencies',
+    createHash('md5').update('').digest('hex'),
+  );
+}
+
 async function createFromTemplate({
   projectName,
   templateUri,
@@ -93,6 +107,7 @@ async function createFromTemplate({
   projectTitle,
   skipInstall,
   packageName,
+  installCocoaPods,
 }: TemplateOptions) {
   logger.debug('Initializing new project');
   logger.log(banner);
@@ -170,6 +185,30 @@ async function createFromTemplate({
         loader,
         root: projectDirectory,
       });
+
+      if (process.platform === 'darwin') {
+        const installPodsValue = String(installCocoaPods);
+
+        if (installPodsValue === 'true') {
+          await installPods(loader);
+          loader.succeed();
+          setEmptyHashForCachedDependencies(projectName);
+        } else if (installPodsValue === 'undefined') {
+          const {installCocoapods} = await prompt({
+            type: 'confirm',
+            name: 'installCocoapods',
+            message: `Do you want to install CocoaPods now? ${chalk.reset.dim(
+              'Only needed if you run your project in Xcode directly',
+            )}`,
+          });
+
+          if (installCocoapods) {
+            await installPods(loader);
+            loader.succeed();
+            setEmptyHashForCachedDependencies(projectName);
+          }
+        }
+      }
     } else {
       loader.succeed('Dependencies installation skipped');
     }
@@ -198,10 +237,6 @@ async function installDependencies({
     root,
   });
 
-  if (process.platform === 'darwin') {
-    await installPods(loader);
-  }
-
   loader.succeed();
 }
 
@@ -250,6 +285,7 @@ async function createProject(
     projectTitle: options.title,
     skipInstall: options.skipInstall,
     packageName: options.packageName,
+    installCocoaPods: options.installPods,
   });
 }
 
@@ -276,7 +312,7 @@ export default (async function initialize(
   options: Options,
 ) {
   if (!projectName) {
-    const {projName} = await prompts({
+    const {projName} = await prompt({
       type: 'text',
       name: 'projName',
       message: 'How would you like to name the app?',