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.

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": {
      "autoIncrement": true,
      "developmentClient": true,
      "distribution": "internal"
    }
  },
  "submit": {
    "production": {},
    "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

Distribution choices

Development builds are normally installed through internal/ad hoc distribution (physical iOS devices must be registered) or an explicit simulator profile. For TestFlight, use a separate store distribution build/profile and follow current Expo/App Store Connect documentation; do not submit a development client profile as a routine dev-build step. Submission publishes an artifact to an external account and requires the user’s corresponding authorization.

For a simulator, add ios: { "simulator": true } to a separate selected development profile. A signed device .ipa is not a simulator .app archive. Verify the exact profile, target and output type before installation. Cloud builds may consume quota and signing credentials.

Building Locally

Build a development client on your machine:

# iOS (requires Xcode)
eas build -p ios --profile development --local

# Android
eas build -p android --profile development --local

Local builds output:

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

Installing Local Builds

Install iOS build on simulator:

# Find the .app in the .tar.gz output
tar -xzf build-*.tar.gz
xcrun simctl install booted ./path/to/App.app

Install iOS build on device (requires signing):

# Use Xcode Devices window or ideviceinstaller
ideviceinstaller -i build.ipa

Install Android build:

adb install build.apk

Building for Specific Platform

# iOS only
eas build -p ios --profile development

# Android only
eas build -p android --profile development

# Both platforms
eas build --profile development

Checking Build Status

# List recent builds
eas build:list

# View build details
eas build:view

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:

# Start Metro bundler
npx expo start --dev-client

# Scan QR code with dev client or enter URL manually

Troubleshooting

Build fails with signing errors:

eas credentials

Clear build cache:

eas build -p ios --profile development --clear-cache

Check EAS CLI version:

eas --version
# EAS Update publishes app updates; it is not a CLI version check.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream product or API scope.
• Verify commands, API behavior, pricing, quotas, credentials, and deployment effects against current official documentation before making changes.
• Do not treat generated examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.

When to Use

Use when creating or troubleshooting an authorized Expo development build that needs native modules or development-client behavior.