Web Developers : 2-Set Up Your Expo Go Project for Development Builds (Mobile Application)

Screenshot from the tutorial

Setting Up Your Expo Go Project for Development Builds

In the world of mobile application development, Expo provides a powerful framework for building React Native applications. This post will guide you through the process of setting up your Expo Go project for development builds. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this tutorial will help you streamline your development workflow and take advantage of Expo's features.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• Node.js installed on your machine. You can download it from nodejs.org.
• Yarn or npm package manager. Yarn can be installed via npm with the command:

  npm install --global yarn
  

• Expo CLI installed globally. If you haven’t installed it yet, run:

  npm install -g expo-cli
  

Creating a New Expo Project

1. Open your terminal and create a new Expo project by running:

   expo init YourProjectName
   

   Replace YourProjectName with a name of your choice. Select a template when prompted—either a blank template or one with some pre-defined features.

2. Navigate into your project directory:

   cd YourProjectName
   

3. Start the project to ensure everything is set up correctly:

   expo start
   

   This command opens the Expo Developer Tools in your browser, allowing you to run your application on a simulator or a physical device.

Setting Up Development Builds

Development builds allow you to test your application with custom native code and features from libraries that require native linking. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Install Required Packages

You need to install the expo-dev-client package, which is essential for development builds. Run the following command in your project directory:

yarn add expo-dev-client

or if you are using npm:

npm install expo-dev-client

2. Configure app.json

Next, configure your app.json or app.config.js file to include the development client configuration. Add the following key-value pairs:

{
  "expo": {
    // other config options
    "developmentClient": true
  }
}

This setting enables the development client for your project.

3. Build the Development Client

Now that you've set everything up, it's time to build your development client. You can do this by using the following command:

eas build --profile development --platform ios

or for Android:

eas build --profile development --platform android

Make sure to have the EAS CLI installed if you haven’t done so already, as it’s required for building custom clients.

4. Install the Development Build on Your Device

Once the build process is complete, you'll receive a link to download the build. Follow these steps:

• For iOS, use TestFlight or install the build directly using the link provided.
• For Android, you can download the APK and install it on your device.

5. Open Your Project in Expo Go

To run your project on the development build:

• Open the Expo Go app on your device.
• Use your QR code scanner to scan the code generated in the Expo Developer Tools.
• Your app should launch with the development build, allowing you to test native features.

Conclusion

Setting up your Expo Go project for development builds is a straightforward process that enhances your mobile application development experience. By following this guide, you can efficiently test your application with custom native code and leverage the full capabilities of React Native.

Happy coding! If you have any questions or run into issues during the setup, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out for help.

Another view from the tutorial

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