Expo SDK Compatibility Checker: Package & React Native Version Guide

Verify your Expo SDK version, check package compatibility with expo-doctor, understand managed vs bare workflow, and upgrade your Expo SDK safely with EAS Build.

Expo SDK to React Native Version Map

Check Compatibility with expo-doctor

expo-doctor is the quickest way to find package version mismatches in your Expo project:

# Check your project for compatibility issues
npx expo-doctor

# Example output:
# ✓ Expo config is valid
# ✓ No issues found in package.json
# ✗ [email protected] is not compatible with SDK 52
#   Expected: ~3.16.2
#   Run: npx expo install react-native-reanimated to fix

# Fix all detected issues automatically
npx expo install --fix

# Check a specific package's compatible version
npx expo install react-native-reanimated --check

Installing Packages with expo install

Always use npx expo install instead of npm install for packages that may have Expo SDK-specific versions:

# expo install resolves the compatible version automatically
npx expo install react-native-reanimated
npx expo install expo-camera expo-location

# For packages outside Expo's registry, npm install works fine
npm install lodash date-fns zod

# After installing native packages in bare workflow:
cd ios && pod install && cd ..
# Then rebuild:
npx expo run:ios
npx expo run:android

Upgrading Expo SDK

# Step 1: Upgrade the Expo package
npx expo install expo@^52.0.0

# Step 2: Update all Expo packages to compatible versions
npx expo install --fix

# Step 3: Verify no remaining issues
npx expo-doctor

# Step 4: For bare workflow — update native files
# Check the Expo SDK changelog for required native changes:
# https://expo.dev/changelog

# Step 5: Rebuild
npx expo run:ios  # or use EAS Build
npx expo run:android

EAS Build Configuration

// eas.json — build profiles
{
  "cli": {
    "version": ">=12.0.0"
  },
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "developmentClient": true,
      "distribution": "internal",
      "ios": { "simulator": true }
    },
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "internal",
      "android": { "buildType": "apk" }
    },
    "production": {
      "autoIncrement": true
    }
  },
  "submit": {
    "production": {
      "ios": { "appleId": "[email protected]" },
      "android": { "serviceAccountKeyPath": "./service-account.json" }
    }
  }
}

# Build for production
eas build --platform all --profile production

# Build iOS only (no Mac required)
eas build --platform ios --profile production

# Submit to App Store and Play Store
eas submit --platform all