Unlike the web, React Native is not backwards compatible. This means that npm packages often need to be the exact right version for the currently installed copy of react-native in your project. Expo CLI provides a best-effort tool for doing this using a list of popular packages and the known working version combinations. Simply use the install command as a drop-in replacement for npm install:

npx expo install expo-camera Visit here to see more: https://docs.expo.dev/more/expo-cli/

Answer from Simranjeet on Stack Overflow
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Medium
medium.com › @huzaifaqureshi037 › exwhy-you-should-use-npx-expo-install-instead-of-npm-install-in-expo-react-native-app-07d6156f064a
Why You Should Use “npx expo install” instead of “npm install” in Expo React Native App. | by Huzaifa Qureshi | Medium
October 23, 2024 - While both npm install and npx expo install have their place in React Native Expo development, npx expo install is generally the safer choice for packages that interact with the Expo ecosystem.
Discussions

Expo could not be found in this project - React Native - Code with Mosh Forum
I have installed expo using npm install expo-cli --global but whenever I try to do npm start or expo start I get Expo could not be found - have you run yarn install or npm install yet? any ways to fix that? More on forum.codewithmosh.com
🌐 forum.codewithmosh.com
0
August 3, 2021
https://forums.expo.dev/t/difference-expo-install-...
Expo brings together the best of the web and mobile for making apps that run on Android, iOS, and web. | 66513 members More on forums.expo.dev
🌐 forums.expo.dev
December 20, 2019
Is it safe to use `expo install` for everything that I need to install?
So if you use yarn instead of npm for example, expo will use yarn instead. ... Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments. ... So if I install with a normal npm install is the version just not guaranteed to work with expo? More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
npx expo install --fix not working correctly
Basically, each of the dependencies is separated by a comma, which isn't a valid yarn|npm install command. ... expo-env-info 1.0.5 environment info: System: OS: macOS 14.2 Shell: 5.9 - /bin/zsh Binaries: Node: 20.9.0 - ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.9.0/bin/node Yarn: 1.22.19 - /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn ... More on github.com
🌐 github.com
2
November 9, 2023
People also ask

Can I use Expo CLI for existing React Native projects?
Yes, you can integrate Expo into existing React Native projects to leverage its tooling and features, enhancing your development workflow.
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dhiwise.com
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
How do I update Expo CLI to the latest version?
To update Expo CLI, run npm install -g expo-cli in your terminal. This command ensures you have the latest features and improvements.
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dhiwise.com
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
Is Expo CLI suitable for building production-ready apps?
Absolutely. Expo CLI streamlines the development process, from coding to deployment, making it an excellent choice for creating production-ready applications.
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dhiwise.com
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › bare › installing-expo-modules
Install Expo modules in an existing React Native project - Expo Documentation
1 week ago - The following instructions apply to installing the latest version of Expo modules in React Native 0.81. For previous versions, check the native upgrade helper to see how these files are customized. Terminal · Copy · - npm install expo · Once installation is complete, apply the changes from the following diffs to configure Expo modules in your project.
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › workflow › using-libraries
Using Expo SDK, React Native, and third-party libraries - Expo Documentation
November 20, 2025 - We recommend always using npx expo install instead of npm install or yarn add directly because it allows Expo CLI to pick a compatible version of a library when possible and also warn you about known incompatibilities.
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MyCleverAI
mycleverai.com › it-questions › what-is-the-difference-between-using-npx-expo-and-npm-install
What is the difference between using "npx expo" and "npm install"?
npx expo executes commands provided by the Expo CLI. - Functionality: npm install changes the project structure by modifying dependencies in node_modules, npx expo doesn't directly install anything but runs commands specific to the Expo ecosystem.
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npm
npmjs.com › package › expo
expo - npm
1 week ago - provides @expo/cli, a small CLI that provides a clean interface around both bundlers (such as Metro and Webpack) and native build tools (Xcode, Simulator.app, Android Studio, ADB, etc.), can generate native projects with npx expo prebuild, and aligns compatible package versions with npx expo install. exposes a JavaScript module that configures an app at runtime as needed to use expo-font and to function in Expo Go (optional, only if applicable). See CONTRIBUTING for instructions on working on this package. expo · npm i expo ·
      » npm install expo
    
Published   Dec 12, 2025
Version   54.0.29
Author   Expo
Find elsewhere
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Java-samples
java-samples.com › showtutorial.php
npm install vs npx expo install
April 5, 2023 - In summary, npm install is a more general-purpose package manager that can be used with any Node.js project, while npx expo install is specific to Expo projects and is optimized for installing packages from the Expo SDK.
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DhiWise
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
November 14, 2024 - The Expo package plays a pivotal role in your React Native project, handling everything from the project's configuration to its dependencies. Managing these dependencies is seamless with npx expo install, ensuring compatibility and easing the development process.
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Code with Mosh
forum.codewithmosh.com › react native
Expo could not be found in this project - React Native - Code with Mosh Forum
August 3, 2021 - I have installed expo using npm install expo-cli --global but whenever I try to do npm start or expo start I get Expo could not be found - have you run yarn install or npm install yet? any ways to fix that?
🌐
Expo
forums.expo.dev › t › difference-expo-install-versus-npm-install › 31388
https://forums.expo.dev/t/difference-expo-install-...
December 20, 2019 - Expo brings together the best of the web and mobile for making apps that run on Android, iOS, and web. | 66513 members
🌐
GitHub
github.com › expo › expo › issues › 25286
npx expo install --fix not working correctly · Issue #25286 · expo/expo
November 9, 2023 - Basically, each of the dependencies is separated by a comma, which isn't a valid yarn|npm install command. ... expo-env-info 1.0.5 environment info: System: OS: macOS 14.2 Shell: 5.9 - /bin/zsh Binaries: Node: 20.9.0 - ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.9.0/bin/node Yarn: 1.22.19 - /opt/homebrew/bin/yarn npm: 10.1.0 - ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.9.0/bin/npm Managers: CocoaPods: 1.12.1 - /opt/homebrew/bin/pod SDKs: iOS SDK: Platforms: DriverKit 23.0, iOS 17.0, macOS 14.0, tvOS 17.0, watchOS 10.0 IDEs: Android Studio: 2021.1 AI-211.7628.21.2111.8309675 Xcode: 15.0.1/15A507 - /usr/bin/xcodebuild npmPackages: expo: ^48.0.0 => 48.0.21 react: 18.1.0 => 18.1.0 react-dom: 18.1.0 => 18.1.0 react-native: 0.70.8 => 0.70.8 react-native-web: ~0.18.9 => 0.18.10 Expo Workflow: managed
Published   Nov 09, 2023
🌐
npm
npmjs.com › package › install-expo-modules
install-expo-modules - npm
November 17, 2025 - Tools to install expo-modules for existing react-native projects. Latest version: 0.13.14, last published: 14 days ago. Start using install-expo-modules in your project by running `npm i install-expo-modules`. There are no other projects in the npm registry using install-expo-modules.
      » npm install install-expo-modules
    
Published   Dec 08, 2025
Version   0.13.14
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Medium
deksmond.medium.com › how-to-install-nodejs-npm-yarn-expo-and-build-you-react-native-application-c5a70bfa133b
How to install Node.js + Npm/Yarn + Expo and build you react native application on Windows, macOS or Linux/Ubuntu | by Des | Medium
February 19, 2019 - Ps - if npm works properly then this option is unnecessary until when needed. If Yarn properly installed then lets install Expo else Google the error.
🌐
GitHub
github.com › expo › expo › issues › 10424
[docs] Many packages reference "expo install" for bare workflow instead of "npm install" · Issue #10424 · expo/expo
September 28, 2020 - as the header clearly states to add it to the npm deps, the bare workflow guide says to npm install it, expo install doesn't work without having the expo package installed as well (which is not required for the unimodules I think) and some of ...
Published   Sep 28, 2020
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GitHub
github.com › expo › expo › issues › 16239
[docs] how to install local package · Issue #16239 · expo/expo
February 9, 2022 - packageXYZ could not be found within the project or in these directories: node_modules If you are sure the module exists, try these steps: 1. Clear watchman watches: watchman watch-del-all 2. Delete node_modules and run yarn install 3. Reset Metro's cache: yarn start --reset-cache 4. Remove the cache: rm -rf /tmp/metro-* https://docs.expo.dev/workflow/using-libraries/#using-third-party-libraries · https://docs.expo.dev/build-reference/private-npm-packages/
Published   Feb 09, 2022
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/reactnative › how important it is to always use "expo install x" as opposed to "npm install x"?
r/reactnative on Reddit: How important it is to always use "expo install x" as opposed to "npm install x"?
February 20, 2022 -

I'm building my app using Expo and whenever I can, I use "expo install some-package". It seems to work most of the time, but something it doesn't and my only option seems to be to fall back to using npm install.

I realize that expo install is safer because it "knows" compatibility, but so far I've had to use npm because of failures with expo install (often peer dependency version conflicts). For 2-3 packages I've done this with, they all worked fine.

Is there any major risk I'm running by not using expo install for a couple packages? I'm I setting myself up for pain?

🌐
GitHub
github.com › rnmapbox › maps › issues › 2168
npm install worked instead of expo install for Expo · Issue #2168 · rnmapbox/maps
August 28, 2022 - The Expo installation page says to run expo install rnmapbox/maps#main but this doesn't work, since it fails to find the module and generates a broken package-lock.json entry. Maybe because this command is expected to work only for Expo SDK modules? Doing npm install rnmapbox/maps#main worked fine instead.
🌐
npm
npmjs.com › package › expo-cli
expo-cli - npm
July 5, 2023 - The command-line tool for creating and publishing Expo apps. Latest version: 6.3.10, last published: 2 years ago. Start using expo-cli in your project by running `npm i expo-cli`. There are 29 other projects in the npm registry using expo-cli.
      » npm install expo-cli
    
Published   Jul 05, 2023
Version   6.3.10