expo-dev-client

Use EAS Build to create development clients for testing native code changes on physical devices. Use this for creating custom Expo Go clients for testing branches of your app.

Free locally; cloud builds are paid. expo-dev-client itself is open source and building locally is free. Building or distributing via EAS Build/TestFlight uses your EAS plan's build minutes and needs a paid Apple Developer account for device/TestFlight distribution. See https://expo.dev/pricing.

Important: When Development Clients Are Needed

Development clients are the recommended setup for any real or production app. Expo Go is a playground for learning and quick experiments with the native libraries it bundles; most apps outgrow it and move to a development client. See Expo Go vs. development builds for the full reasoning.

You need a dev client ONLY when using:

• Local Expo modules (custom native code)
• Apple targets (widgets, app clips, extensions)
• Third-party native modules not in Expo Go
• Config plugins, or testing remote push notifications and App/Universal Links

EAS Configuration

Ensure eas.json has a development profile:

{
  "cli": {
    "version": ">= 16.0.1",
    "appVersionSource": "remote"
  },
  "build": {
    "production": {
      "autoIncrement": true
    },
    "development"

Key settings:

• developmentClient: true - Bundles expo-dev-client for development builds
• autoIncrement: true - Automatically increments build numbers
• appVersionSource: "remote" - Uses EAS as the source of truth for version numbers

Building for TestFlight

Build iOS dev client and submit to TestFlight in one command:

This will:

1. Build the development client in the cloud
2. Automatically submit to App Store Connect
3. Send you an email when the build is ready in TestFlight

After receiving the TestFlight email:

1. Download the build from TestFlight on your device
2. Launch the app to see the expo-dev-client UI
3. Connect to your local Metro bundler or scan a QR code

Building Locally

Build a development client on your machine:

Local builds output:

• iOS: .ipa file
• Android: .apk or .aab file

Installing Local Builds

Install iOS build on simulator:

Install iOS build on device (requires signing):

Install Android build:

Building for Specific Platform

Checking Build Status

Using the Dev Client

Once installed, the dev client provides:

• Development server connection - Enter your Metro bundler URL or scan QR
• Build information - View native build details
• Launcher UI - Switch between development servers

Connect to local development:

Troubleshooting

Build fails with signing errors:

Clear build cache:

Check EAS CLI version:

Submitting Feedback

If you encounter errors, misleading or outdated information in this skill, report it so Expo can improve:

Only submit when you have something specific and actionable to report. Include as much relevant context as possible.