Other answers completely miss what the OP wants.

To anyone who comes across a similar issue -

  • Try manually starting your adb server before starting Expo.

    $ adb start-server

  • Sounds obvious, but make sure USB debugging is enabled. However, on the very first run, your phone will ask to allow access from your computer. Set this to always allow access from your computer.

  • Open the Expo app (update if possible). On running the command $ expo start --localhost --android, you should see your app launch on your device.


PS: This method is good for users like me who are paranoid about their phone's battery use. Connecting via a USB is less demanding on the phone & battery, as compared to using the wifi.

Answer from roshnet on Stack Overflow
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › guides › local-app-development
Local app development - Expo Documentation
To create a development build, you can use local app compilation commands (npx expo run:[android|ios]) which will create a debug build and start the development server.
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › more › expo-cli
Expo CLI - Expo Documentation
Usage $ npx expo <command> Commands start, export run:ios, run:android, prebuild install, customize, config login, logout, whoami, register Options --version, -v Version number --help, -h Usage info
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › get-started › set-up-your-environment
Set up your environment - Expo Documentation
Learn how to set up your development environment to start building with Expo. ... Let's set up a local development environment for running your project on Android and iOS.
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › tutorial › eas › android-development-build
Create and run a cloud build for Android - Expo Documentation
This warning can safely be ignored as the source of the .apk (which we generated) is trusted. ... Start the development server by running npx expo start from the project directory.
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Fig
fig.io › manual › expo › run:android
expo run:android [path] | Fig
Run the Android app binary locally · Made with ❤️ in San Francisco Copyright © 2025 Hercules Labs Inc
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/reactnative › an app installed with npx expo run:android isn't self-sufficient
r/reactnative on Reddit: An app installed with npx expo run:android isn't self-sufficient
January 30, 2025 -

Hi,

A test app:

$ npx create-expo-app -t tabs hello

$ cd hello

$ npx expo run:android

This sequence installs an app named hello on my Android phone connected via USB. This is pretty much the same build sequence as with any other tool chain, like Flutter.

Like with Flutter, or Kotlin, I expected the app to remain viable on my phone after the USB connection is severed. However, on its own the app won't pass beyond the splash screen. After some moving around I got an error message:

Unable to load script. Make sure you're either running Metro (run 'npx react-native start') or that your bundle 'index.android.bundle' is packaged correctly for release.

What do I have to do to make the (debug?) version of the app running on my phone autonomously?

Find elsewhere
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › workflow › android-studio-emulator
Android Studio Emulator - Expo Documentation
If you don't have an Android device available to test with, we recommend using the default emulator that comes with Android Studio. If you run into any problems setting it up, follow the steps in this guide. ... Use a package manager such as Homebrew to install the following dependency. ... Install OpenJDK distribution called Azul Zulu using Homebrew. This distribution offers JDKs for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. ... After you install the JDK, add the JAVA_HOME environment variable in ~/.bash_profile (or ~/.zshrc if you use Zsh): export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/zulu-17.jdk/Contents/Home
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Hashnode
janellgames.hashnode.dev › setting-up-an-android-simulator-for-expo-a-step-by-step-guide
Setting Up an Android Emulator for Expo: A Beginner’s Guide
February 15, 2025 - Learn how to install Android Studio, configure an Android Virtual Device (AVD), and run your Expo app on an Android emulator. Perfect for beginners looking
🌐
Stack Overflow
stackoverflow.com › questions › 78517374 › react-native-npx-expo-runandroid
npm - React native npx expo run:android - Stack Overflow
Try use npx expo start then press I for iOS and a for android. I case you want to use config plugins run npx expo rebuild before run npx expo run:android
🌐
Expo
expo.dev
Expo
Develop on your phone, just like how your users will experience your app. Download Expo Go. Start emulators and simulators without opening Android Studio or Xcode with Expo Orbit.
🌐
GitHub
github.com › expo › expo › issues › 19614
`npx expo run:android` build failed · Issue #19614 · expo/expo
October 19, 2022 - Later I created an brand new Expo project with command npx create-expo-app --template, installed the dependency with yarn, then type in npx expo run:android again.
Published   Oct 19, 2022
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/expo › use "npx expo run:android" in android device
r/expo on Reddit: Use "npx expo run:android" in Android device
May 26, 2023 -

I don't own a laptop/PC so I code in mobile using termux app. I've previously created few test apps using expo react native and "expo go" app from playstore and used expo services to build apk and aab files. It was a good experience. Now I want to build Android apps using expo. When I try to run "npx expo run:android" in the terminal, I get error something like this:

Error: spawn adb ENOENT
    at ChildProcess._handle.onexit (node:internal/child_process:283:19)
    at onErrorNT (node:internal/child_process:476:16)
    at process.processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:82:21)

It maybe bcoz I don't have adb installed in termux, I can't have an adb. Isn't there a way to use expo run: android in "expo go" app only ? Just like using npm start starts in exp://127.0.0.1:19000/ . Or is there any expo cloud service to help us with that ?

Top answer
1 of 4
77

Yes you can:-(With zero android studio config)

  1. Install expo-cli globally.
  2. Install android Studio.
  3. Create a project by running expo-cli init
  4. No need of any configuration on android Studio.
  5. Open existing Project from android studio

  1. then Open the created expo Project it will be available as an android project with a android logo on it
  2. then open the AVD Manager

  3. Download and install whichever device you want but see to that its above android N and do it for x86

  4. after Installing the desired emulator

  1. run the emulator before running the project
  2. then run expo start to start the Project
  3. Go to the metro builder and say run android

  4. if it doesn't run on the first go or if you get error close the project from emulator from recents and do a run on android again from metro builder don't close project just the running project from recent on emulator

  1. then it should work
2 of 4
13

Maybe too late, but I found out that is simplier that what you think.

  1. Install your Android SDK (studio)
  2. Create new emulator: Go to Tools > AVD Manager > Create new virtual device (I chosen Nexus, Android 7)
  3. When you get new emulator installed try to find out list of it ( command: emulator -list-avds )
  4. !! If you do not have emulator in the path follow this commands in PowerShell:
    PATH = %PATH%;C:\Users\[YOURUSERPCNAME]\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools
    PATH= %PATH%;C:\Users\[YOURUSERPCNAME]\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\emulator
    PATH= %PATH%;C:\Users\[YOURUSERPCNAME]\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\tools\bin
  1. Run your emulator: emulator -avd [NAMEOFYOUREMULATOR] from the command emulator -list-avds
  2. When emulator runing go to your Expo root folder (wher package.json is) and run npm start
  3. Click on run in Run on Android device/emulator

Enjoy coding

Edit for Linux users

my linux usecase is as follow:

  1. Install Android studio and open it
  2. Install any emulator using AVD manager and try it's working
  3. Close studio and go to your android folder ~/Android/Sdk/(two options 'emulator/' or 'tools/'), basically you need to find emulator
  4. list item ./emulator -list-avds
  5. choose your emulator and run it ./emulator -avd <any emulator> if emulator not work use sudo if you do not get any options in Sdk folder but you installed emualtor than you did it propably as a superuser - then the easiest is to completely remove all android studio and install it again
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GitHub
github.com › expo › expo › discussions › 18893
Expo cannot open development build on android emulator · expo/expo · Discussion #18893
I've just faced the same issue in an with an android emulator with Android Studio 2025.1.2 after upgrading Expo but I managed to fix the issue thanks to @RRed's tip above: just reset the emulator by wipping all data out.
Author   expo
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Medium
medium.com › decoded-by-kodex › solving-real-android-build-issues-in-react-native-expo-a-step-by-step-guide-6f66d240d731
Solving Real Android Build Issues in React Native/Expo — A Step-by-Step Guide | by Hamad Baloch Rakshani | Decoded by Kodex | Medium
June 24, 2025 - Expo Go uses prebuilt native modules — your standalone APK doesn’t. This disconnect causes 90% of surprises. Standardize .zshrc, local.properties, and Android SDK versions across the team. Use EAS for consistency, local builds for speed. Both are valuable. Before Build ------------ - Run expo doctor - Confirm ANDROID_HOME & local.properties - Align all Expo modules via expo install During Build ------------ - Watch for dependency errors - Verify SDK paths After Build ----------- - Test APK on emulator - Read Logcat logs - Verify feature parity with dev build
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DEV Community
dev.to › andrewchaa › running-your-expo-app-on-a-real-device-for-testing-3ci
Running Your Expo App on a Real Device for Testing - DEV Community
September 6, 2025 - On iOS: Open the built-in Camera app and point it at the QR code. A notification will pop up. Tap it to open your app in Expo Go. On Android: Open the Expo Go app and tap the "Scan QR Code" button to use the in-app scanner.
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Medium
medium.com › @the.akshhh › building-and-releasing-a-react-native-android-app-using-expo-04ccb6def3a7
Building and Releasing a React Native Android App Using Expo | by Akshat | Medium
November 3, 2025 - When using Expo Go, it generates an .expo folder, but no android folder is created since it does not generate a native bundle for our app and runs the JS engine on Expo Go’s native bundle.