Web Developers : 6-Create an Internal Distribution Build for Android Using EAS (React Native EXPO)

Screenshot from the tutorial

Creating an Internal Distribution Build for Android Using EAS in React Native Expo

In the fast-paced world of mobile app development, efficient distribution of your application is crucial for testing and feedback. In this blog post, we will go through the steps on how to create an internal distribution build for Android using EAS (Expo Application Services) in React Native Expo.

What is EAS?

EAS is a set of services provided by Expo that simplifies the building, testing, and deployment of your React Native applications. With EAS, developers can create builds for different platforms, manage credentials, and configure app settings seamlessly.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the build process, ensure that you have the following:

• Node.js: Make sure you have Node.js installed. You can download it from nodejs.org.

• Expo CLI: If you haven’t already installed Expo CLI, do so by running:

  npm install -g expo-cli
  

• EAS CLI: You’ll also need the EAS CLI for building and distributing your app. Install it with the following command:

  npm install -g eas-cli
  

• Expo Account: If you don’t have an Expo account, create one at expo.dev.

• React Native Project: Have a React Native project set up with Expo. If you don’t have one, you can create it using:

  expo init my-app
  

Steps to Create an Internal Distribution Build

Step 1: Configure EAS Build

Navigate to your project directory and run the following command to configure EAS:

eas build:configure

This command will create an eas.json file in your project’s root directory. This file allows you to customize the build process.

Step 2: Update eas.json

Open the eas.json file and ensure it has the necessary configurations for Android. Here’s an example configuration:

{
  "build": {
    "android": {
      "release": {
        "buildType": "app-bundle"
      }
    }
  }
}

This configuration specifies that we want to generate an Android App Bundle for distribution.

Step 3: Set Up Credentials

Before building your app, you need to set up your Android credentials. EAS CLI will guide you through the process of setting up or managing your credentials. Run:

eas build:credentials

Follow the prompts to provide the necessary information, including your Keystore and key alias.

Step 4: Create the Build

To create a build for internal distribution, use the following command:

eas build --platform android

This command will start the build process. You will see output in your terminal showing the progress. Once the build is complete, EAS will provide you with a URL to download the APK or AAB file.

Step 5: Distribute the Build Internally

Once you have your build, you can distribute the APK or AAB file to your team for testing. You can use various methods such as:

• Email: Send the APK directly through email.
• File Sharing Services: Upload the file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or any file-sharing platform and share the link.
• Internal Testing Services: Use services like Firebase App Distribution or Microsoft App Center for more organized testing.

Step 6: Test the Application

Encourage your team to install the application on their devices and provide feedback. This testing phase is crucial for identifying bugs and gathering user insights before the official release.

Conclusion

Creating an internal distribution build for Android with EAS in React Native Expo is a straightforward process that enhances your app development workflow. By following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently distribute your application for testing and feedback, ensuring a smoother launch process.

For more detailed information, refer to the official EAS Build documentation and start creating amazing applications with React Native and Expo!

Happy coding!

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