It sounds like you may have run expo prebuild (https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/prebuild/) which removes "main": "node_modules/expo/AppEntry.js", from app.json. Try to create a new expo app and look at it's app.json file.
When you run expo prebuild it changes a few things with your project (see "side effects" in the prebuild docs).
I'm actually working through some issues with that right now too. I thought I had to run prebuild but turns out I didn't have to. Ever since I ran it my app will not load via the dev-client way. I can however switch back to npx expo start (NOT npx expo start --dev-client, see the scripts section of app.json as that is also changed when prebuild is run).
Let me know if you are able to get your app to load after re-adding the main stuff to app.json.
Ps, are you by chance using react-native-google-mobile-ads?
GitHub
github.com › expo › expo
GitHub - expo/expo: An open-source framework for making universal native apps with React. Expo runs on Android, iOS, and the web.
October 26, 2025 - Expo is an open-source platform for making universal native apps that run on Android, iOS, and the web. It includes a universal runtime and libraries that let you build native apps by writing React and JavaScript.
Starred by 45.8K users
Forked by 10.4K users
Languages TypeScript 55.8% | Kotlin 16.9% | Swift 12.3% | Objective-C 4.2% | JavaScript 3.1% | C++ 2.9%
Expo
expo.dev
Expo
I love @expo, it made React Native dev so much easier. Firstly, it allows anyone to dev from any machine, even with very low specs and run the app on device with Expo Go app.
Auth0 React-Native Expo
It seems like Auth0’s provided quickstart guide for implementing auth0 react native with expo does not actually work… When following their guide, i get the error Cannot read properties of undefined (reading ‘hasValidAuth0Instance’) when I open my app and making a call to auth0 authorize ... More on community.auth0.com
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October 22, 2024Are companies actually using Expo for developing React Native apps?
Hi - I work on Expo. Yes. There are thousands of companies that build and deliver their apps with Expo to many millions of end users. Our focus as a team is to make Expo something that powers the apps we all use every day, so we pay a lot of attention to making our open source tools and our cloud services work for serious customers. More on reddit.com
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June 26, 2023Everything works with expo
When people say "does this work with expo" they often mean does it work with expo go. People still use expo go because its much easier development experience than setting up eas, wait 20min for it to build, buy apple dev account, set up test flight. And repeat this for every native code change. More on reddit.com
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June 27, 2024Can someone help me understand RN with Expo Go vs Expo Development Builds
While the documentation is thorough, it's just very feature rich so it's hard to understand how it fits all together. The main thing to understand is an expo project has 2 main components : Javascript bundles/static assets and native application code. Bundles and assets can be included in the native binaries but can be transmitted over the air via a development server. Native application code can only be installed directly on the device and requires a reinstall to update it. Expo go is a compiled native binary that includes a Javascript engine to parse the application/UI code as well as expo SDKs in built that have libraries for an extensive but finite set of interaction with native code. All of this circles around to development builds because let's say you have an app that reads sensor data to get GPS info. You try to use the expo SDK library that's bundled in the Expo Go app for accessing GPS data. It works but you realize you want more granular control than the expo library provides so you want to write your own native code or use a non expo third party gps library. Expo go ONLY contains the native code for the Expo SDK libraries so it can't run your custom native code. Enter development builds. They allow you to generate a new binary that contains your injected custom native code that you can then install on your app and interface with via expo modules/plug-ins. Now you get the benefit of expo work flow + your custom native code. Everyone is happy. More on reddit.com
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February 17, 2024Videos
24:35
How to make Expo apps faster | Expo app development best practices ...
04:12:47
Build a Full Stack Mobile App with React Native & Expo - React ...
How to create your first Expo app | Universal App tutorial #1
20:44
Complete React Native Tutorial #1 - Introduction & Setup (Expo) ...
21:37
Expo Go vs Development Builds: Which should you use? - YouTube
Expo Development Build Tutorial (Expo Go Replacement ...
Top answer 1 of 3
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It sounds like you may have run expo prebuild (https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/prebuild/) which removes "main": "node_modules/expo/AppEntry.js", from app.json. Try to create a new expo app and look at it's app.json file.
When you run expo prebuild it changes a few things with your project (see "side effects" in the prebuild docs).
I'm actually working through some issues with that right now too. I thought I had to run prebuild but turns out I didn't have to. Ever since I ran it my app will not load via the dev-client way. I can however switch back to npx expo start (NOT npx expo start --dev-client, see the scripts section of app.json as that is also changed when prebuild is run).
Let me know if you are able to get your app to load after re-adding the main stuff to app.json.
Ps, are you by chance using react-native-google-mobile-ads?
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Not sure if this is relevant anymore, but for me what worked was uninstalling expo-dev-client package.
React Native
reactnative.dev › docs › environment-setup
Get Started with React Native · React Native
1 week ago - Expo provides features like file-based routing, high-quality universal libraries, and the ability to write plugins that modify native code without having to manage native files. ... Yes. You can use React Native without a Framework.
Substack
papayabytes.substack.com › p › guide-expo-go-and-react-native
Guide: Expo Go and React Native - by Rob - PapayaBytes
May 12, 2024 - Expo Go is a sandbox for working with the Expo development environments. Think of it as a tool that will allow you to stand up your React Native app using Expo tooling, and then via Expo Go, deploy the mobile app to your device (Android or iOS).
Pagepro
pagepro.co › home › blog › publishing expo apps to app store and google play store: 2025 guide
How to Publish Expo React Native App to iOS and Android in 2025
August 25, 2025 - Expo and React Native let you build apps that runs on both platforms. Most core components and APIs work the same across Android and iOS, and Expo handles much of the platform-specific setup.
ShiftAsia
shiftasia.com › community › react-native-vs-expo-which-path-to-take-for-your-mobile-app
React Native vs. Expo: Which Path to Take for Your Mobile App?
May 30, 2025 - Simplified Tooling: No need to touch Xcode or Android Studio for most common tasks. Expo handles native modules, certificates, and build processes. Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Push updates to your app instantly without going through app store review processes.
Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Expo Go - Apps on Google Play
October 2, 2025 - Expo is a developer tool for creating experiences with interactive gestures and graphics, using JavaScript and React Native. Create experiences using features such as - Camera - Background Location - Audio and Video - SQLite To learn more visit ...
Medium
medium.com › @farrukh.ssarwar › react-native-with-expo-a-developers-tale-7afcaa499bdb
How to build React Native apps with Expo — A Developer’s Tale | by Farrukh Sarwar | Medium
April 8, 2025 - Expo, in essence, is a set of tools and services built around React Native. It simplifies the development workflow, allowing you to focus on writing JavaScript code instead of wrestling with native build tools and configurations.
Auth0
community.auth0.com › get help
Auth0 React-Native Expo - Auth0 Community
October 22, 2024 - It seems like Auth0’s provided quickstart guide for implementing auth0 react native with expo does not actually work… When following their guide, i get the error Cannot read properties of undefined (reading ‘hasValidAut…
phpBB
phpbb.com › board index › non-support specific › general discussion
phpBB • Using react-native/expo go to build apps: how the screenview margins works?
August 10, 2023 - I have lost something along the way? p.s yes, i like the Expo framework: it let me code apps in react-native or pure javascript, while he compile, and most importantly, make me do live tests, so while coding, you directly see results of changes into your connected phone.
App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › expo-go › id982107779
Expo Go App - App Store
I've found Expo Go to be an absolute game-changer for my React Native development projects. It drastically simplifies the development process by allowing me to instantly preview updates on real devices, thanks to its live reload feature.
Retool
retool.com › blog › expo-cli-vs-react-native-cli
Retool Blog | Putting the Expo vs React Native debate to rest
February 16, 2023 - Expo—an open-source framework for building React Native apps with consolidated logic for both iOS and Android. Expo Go—an open-source app publicly available on the App Store and Play Store that makes testing apps easy via a scannable QR code.
Supabase
supabase.com › docs › guides › getting-started › tutorials › with-expo-react-native
Build a User Management App with Expo React Native | Supabase Docs
17 hours ago - Let's start building the React Native app from scratch. We can use expo to initialize an app called expo-user-management:
Reddit
reddit.com › r/reactnative › are companies actually using expo for developing react native apps?
r/reactnative on Reddit: Are companies actually using Expo for developing React Native apps?
June 26, 2023 -
I'm about to start a new job and I'll be using React Native to develop mobile apps. Are companies actually using Expo for developing React Native apps? Like has it become a standard? Are there other ways like better alternatives to Expo? I've heard of React Native CLI, is it much better and standardized in the industry?
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Hi - I work on Expo. Yes. There are thousands of companies that build and deliver their apps with Expo to many millions of end users. Our focus as a team is to make Expo something that powers the apps we all use every day, so we pay a lot of attention to making our open source tools and our cloud services work for serious customers.
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yes there are companies using expo for react native apps. expo makes things hell of a lot easier, and comes with some very nice things for builds, deployment, etc. Standard, not sure but I think its getting there. I would personally rather not use anything else as of right now Alternatives, not sure.
YouTube
youtube.com › channel › UCx_YiR733cfqVPRsQ1n8Fag
Expo - YouTube
Expo is a full-stack React Native framework with powerful cloud services to help you move faster at every stage of the app lifecycle.
Galaxies.dev
galaxies.dev › article › should-you-use-expo-react-native
Should you use Expo for React Native? | Galaxies.dev
February 11, 2024 - Expo is an open-source platform that smoothes out many hassles by providing a suite of tools including the Expo SDK, Expo CLI, Expo Go app, and even Expo Application Services (EAS) — a cloud solution for app building and submission which means, you can build an iOS app without owning a Mac! Tip: Expo is like an all-inclusive resort for React Native developers, bundling utilities and services that make app development feel like a breeze.