Building a mobile app with React Native is a popular choice for developers who want to create applications for both Android and iOS using JavaScript and React.

However, getting started with React Native can sometimes feel complicated. You may need to configure Android Studio, Xcode, native dependencies, build tools, emulators, and different platform-specific settings.

This is where Expo comes in.

Expo is a framework and platform built around React Native that makes mobile app development easier, faster, and more accessible. It provides tools, libraries, development services, and workflows that help developers build, test, deploy, and maintain React Native applications.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain what Expo is, how Expo works, Expo vs React Native, Expo features, Expo Go, Expo Router, EAS, advantages and limitations, and how to get started with Expo.

What Is Expo?

Expo is a React Native framework and development platform for building Android and iOS applications.

It provides a collection of tools and services that simplify many parts of mobile application development.

With Expo, developers can build mobile applications using familiar technologies such as:

• React
• JavaScript
• TypeScript
• React Native

Instead of manually configuring many native development requirements from the beginning, Expo provides a structured development environment with many commonly needed features already supported.

Expo is especially useful for developers who are new to mobile development or teams that want to speed up React Native development.

Expo vs React Native: What’s the Difference?

One of the most common questions beginners ask is:

Is Expo the same as React Native?

No.

React Native is the framework that allows developers to build native mobile applications using React.

Expo is a framework and platform built around React Native that provides additional tools and services for developing React Native applications.

A simple way to understand the relationship is:

React → React Native → Expo

React provides the component-based development model.

React Native allows that model to be used for native mobile applications.

Expo adds tools, libraries, workflows, and services that make React Native development easier.

Why Do Developers Use Expo?

React Native provides the foundation for cross-platform mobile development, but mobile applications often require access to native functionality.

For example, an app might need:

• Camera access
• Location services
• Push notifications
• File storage
• Authentication
• Image selection
• Sensors
• Contacts
• Background tasks

Expo provides many libraries and APIs that simplify access to these capabilities.

This means developers can focus more on building the application rather than spending as much time configuring native projects.

How Does Expo Work?

A typical Expo development workflow looks like this:

Write React Native Code → Run the App → Test on Device → Build → Submit to App Stores

During development, Expo provides tools that make it easy to run and test applications.

You can develop using:

• A physical Android device
• A physical iPhone
• Android Emulator
• iOS Simulator
• Development builds

The development experience can be much faster than manually setting up every native dependency from scratch.

What Is Expo Go?

Expo Go is a mobile application that allows developers to quickly run and test Expo projects on a physical device.

Instead of immediately creating a full native application build, developers can use Expo Go during early development.

You can start your project, run the development server, and open the application on your device.

This makes it particularly useful when learning React Native or experimenting with a new application idea.

Is Expo Go Enough for Production?

Not always.

Expo Go is mainly a development tool.

Production applications often use development builds and production builds created specifically for the project.

This is important because real-world applications may require native libraries or custom native configuration that isn’t included in the standard Expo Go environment.

For modern Expo development, developers should understand the difference between Expo Go, development builds, and production builds.

What Is Expo Router?

Expo Router is a file-based routing solution for React Native applications.

It brings a routing approach similar to frameworks such as Next.js to React Native applications.

Instead of manually defining every route in a central navigation configuration, your application’s file structure can represent its navigation structure.

For example, you might organize an application around screens such as:

• Home
• Profile
• Settings
• Login
• Product Details

This makes navigation easier to organize as an application grows.

Expo Router also supports common mobile navigation patterns such as:

• Stack navigation
• Tabs
• Nested routes
• Dynamic routes
• Deep linking

For new Expo projects, Expo Router is an important technology to understand.

What Is EAS?

EAS stands for Expo Application Services.

EAS is a collection of cloud services designed to help developers build, submit, and manage Expo and React Native applications.

Some important EAS services include:

• EAS Build
• EAS Submit
• EAS Update

EAS Build

EAS Build allows developers to create Android and iOS application builds.

Instead of manually configuring all build infrastructure, EAS can handle much of the build process.

This is useful when preparing applications for:

• Google Play Store
• Apple App Store
• Internal testing
• TestFlight
• Production releases

EAS Submit

EAS Submit helps developers submit application builds to app stores.

This can simplify the release workflow, especially for teams that frequently publish new versions.

EAS Update

EAS Update allows developers to deliver certain application updates over the air without waiting for a full app-store release.

This can be useful for updating JavaScript and other supported application content.

However, not every native change can be delivered through an over-the-air update. Changes that require a new native binary generally require a new application build.

Expo Features

Expo provides a large collection of tools and capabilities for React Native development.

Some important features include:

Cross-Platform Development

You can build applications for both Android and iOS using React Native.

Native Device APIs

Expo provides libraries for accessing common device functionality.

File-Based Routing

Expo Router provides a modern routing experience for React Native applications.

Development Tools

Expo provides tools that make it easier to develop and test applications.

Cloud Builds

EAS can create application builds for Android and iOS.

App Store Deployment

EAS Submit can simplify application submission.

Over-the-Air Updates

EAS Update can deliver supported application updates without requiring a complete store release.

TypeScript Support

Expo works well with TypeScript, making it suitable for larger and more maintainable projects.

Expo SDK

The Expo SDK is a collection of libraries and APIs provided for Expo and React Native applications.

These APIs allow developers to use device functionality without having to implement everything from scratch.

Common examples include APIs for:

• Camera
• Location
• Notifications
• Image Picker
• File System
• Sensors
• Secure Storage
• Authentication-related functionality

The Expo SDK continues to evolve alongside the React Native ecosystem.

When developing an application, it is important to use versions of Expo packages that are compatible with your Expo SDK and React Native version.

Can Expo Build Real Production Apps?

Yes.

Expo is not only for tutorials or simple applications.

It can be used to build production applications for businesses, startups, SaaS products, e-commerce platforms, social applications, booking systems, and many other use cases.

The important thing is to understand the application’s requirements.

If your application needs advanced native functionality, you may need to use development builds, custom native configuration, or native modules.

Expo gives developers flexibility while still simplifying much of the development process.

Advantages of Expo

There are several reasons developers choose Expo for React Native development.

1. Easier Setup

Expo can significantly simplify the initial setup of a React Native project.

2. Faster Development

Built-in tools and libraries can reduce the amount of configuration required.

3. Cross-Platform Apps

You can develop Android and iOS applications using a shared React Native codebase.

4. Large Collection of APIs

Expo provides APIs for many common mobile features.

5. Cloud Build Services

EAS Build can simplify the process of creating Android and iOS builds.

6. Modern Routing

Expo Router provides file-based routing that can make application navigation easier to manage.

7. TypeScript Support

Expo works well with TypeScript, making it suitable for modern development teams.

Limitations of Expo

Although Expo provides many advantages, it isn’t automatically the perfect choice for every application.

Native Customization

Applications with highly customized native requirements may require additional native configuration.

Third-Party Native Libraries

Some native libraries may require additional setup or may have compatibility considerations.

Understanding Native Development Is Still Useful

Even when using Expo, understanding basic Android and iOS concepts can be valuable for troubleshooting production applications.

Build and Service Considerations

Teams using EAS should understand the available build, update, and deployment workflows and choose services according to their project requirements.

Expo simplifies mobile development, but it doesn’t completely remove the need to understand the underlying mobile ecosystem.

Expo Managed Workflow vs Bare Workflow

Older React Native discussions often mention Expo Managed Workflow and Bare Workflow.

Modern Expo development is more flexible than this simple distinction suggests.

Expo projects can use Expo’s tooling while also accessing native projects when necessary.

This means developers don’t necessarily have to choose between:

Expo OR Native React Native

Instead, Expo can be used as part of a broader React Native development workflow.

This flexibility is one of the important advantages of modern Expo.

Expo vs React Native CLI

Another common comparison is Expo vs React Native CLI.

Feature	Expo	React Native CLI
React Native	Yes	Yes
Android apps	Yes	Yes
iOS apps	Yes	Yes
Easy project setup	Excellent	More manual
Expo SDK	Yes	No
Cloud build services	EAS	Requires your own setup or services
File-based routing	Expo Router	Configure separately
Native customization	Supported	Full control
Beginner-friendly	Very	Moderate

The right choice depends on the project.

For many new React Native applications, Expo is an excellent starting point.

For applications requiring highly customized native infrastructure, teams may need deeper native configuration.

How to Create an Expo App

Getting started with Expo is straightforward.

First, make sure you have a recent version of Node.js installed.

Then create a new Expo project using the recommended Expo tooling.

After creating the project, you can start the development server and open the application on a device or emulator.

The exact commands can change as Expo evolves, so it’s a good idea to follow the current official Expo documentation when setting up a new project.

You don’t need to memorize every command to understand the workflow.

The basic process is:

Create Project → Install Dependencies → Start Development Server → Build Features → Test → Create Production Build

What Can You Build With Expo?

Expo can be used for many types of applications.

Examples include:

E-Commerce Apps

Product catalogs, shopping carts, payments, orders, and customer accounts.

Booking Apps

Appointments, reservations, schedules, and notifications.

Social Media Apps

Profiles, posts, comments, messaging, and media sharing.

Education Apps

Courses, lessons, quizzes, progress tracking, and notifications.

Business Apps

Dashboards, employee tools, CRM applications, and internal systems.

SaaS Mobile Apps

Mobile interfaces for web-based SaaS platforms.

On-Demand Apps

Delivery, services, transportation, and marketplace applications.

Expo and Backend APIs

Expo handles the mobile application side of your project.

It does not replace your backend.

A typical mobile application architecture might look like:

Expo App → REST API / GraphQL API → Backend → Database

Your backend might be built using technologies such as:

• Node.js
• Express.js
• NestJS
• Django
• Laravel
• FastAPI

The Expo application communicates with the backend using HTTP requests or other supported networking approaches.

This makes Expo a good fit for developers who already understand web technologies and want to move into mobile development.

Expo for JavaScript and React Developers

If you already know React, Expo can make the transition to mobile development easier.

You will recognize concepts such as:

• Components
• Props
• State
• Hooks
• Context
• TypeScript
• API requests

However, React Native isn’t exactly the same as React web development.

Instead of HTML elements such as div, button, and input, React Native uses native-oriented components.

You also need to understand mobile concepts such as:

• Screen navigation
• App lifecycle
• Permissions
• Mobile storage
• Push notifications
• Platform differences
• App store deployment

Expo helps reduce some of the complexity involved in these areas.

Is Expo Good for Beginners?

Yes. Expo is one of the easiest ways to start learning React Native.

Beginners can focus on learning:

1. React fundamentals
2. React Native components
3. Navigation
4. API integration
5. State management
6. Device features
7. Mobile UI design
8. App deployment

Instead of spending too much time on native configuration at the beginning.

Once you become comfortable with Expo, you can gradually learn more about Android, iOS, and native React Native development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Expo

What is Expo in React Native?

Expo is a framework and development platform built around React Native. It provides tools, libraries, development workflows, and services that make building Android and iOS applications easier.

Is Expo better than React Native?

Expo and React Native are not direct replacements. React Native provides the foundation for cross-platform mobile development, while Expo adds tools and services around React Native.

Is Expo free?

Expo provides free tools and services, along with paid services and plans for additional capabilities. The exact features and limits can change over time.

Can Expo build Android and iOS apps?

Yes. Expo can be used to build applications for both Android and iOS.

Can Expo be used for production apps?

Yes. Expo can be used to build and deploy production React Native applications.

Is Expo good for beginners?

Yes. Expo simplifies many parts of React Native development and is a good starting point for developers learning mobile development.

What is Expo Go?

Expo Go is a development application that allows developers to quickly run and test compatible Expo projects on physical devices.

What is Expo Router?

Expo Router is a file-based routing solution for Expo and React Native applications.

What is EAS in Expo?

EAS, or Expo Application Services, provides cloud-based services for building, submitting, and updating Expo and React Native applications.

Final Thoughts

Expo makes React Native development easier by providing a complete ecosystem of tools, libraries, and services for building mobile applications.

For beginners, Expo removes much of the initial complexity involved in setting up a React Native project.

For experienced developers, it can provide a productive workflow for building, testing, and deploying production mobile applications.

The most important thing to understand is that Expo isn’t a replacement for React Native. Instead, it builds on top of React Native and provides additional tools that make the development process more convenient.

If you’re already familiar with React or JavaScript and want to start building mobile applications, Expo is an excellent technology to explore in 2026.