Deploying Your App

Overview

This guide covers deploying your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store using Expo Application Services (EAS).

Prerequisites

Required Accounts

1. Apple Developer Account ($99/year)

   • developer.apple.com
   • Required for iOS App Store

2. Google Play Developer Account ($25 one-time)

   • play.google.com/console
   • Required for Google Play Store

3. Expo Account (free)

   • expo.dev
   • Create at: npx expo register

Install EAS CLI

npm install -g eas-cli

Login to Expo

eas login

Initial Setup

Step 1: Configure EAS

eas build:configure

This creates eas.json in your project:

{
  "cli": {
    "version": ">= 5.0.0"
  },
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "developmentClient": true,
      "distribution": "internal"
    },
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "internal"
    },
    "production": {}
  },
  "submit": {
    "production": {}
  }
}

Step 2: Update app.json

{
  "expo": {
    "name": "Your Store Name",
    "slug": "your-store",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "ios": {
      "bundleIdentifier": "com.yourcompany.yourstore",
      "buildNumber": "1"
    },
    "android": {
      "package": "com.yourcompany.yourstore",
      "versionCode": 1
    }
  }
}

Building for iOS

Build for App Store

eas build --platform ios --profile production

First time setup:

• EAS will ask to create Apple credentials
• Follow the prompts to authenticate

Build for TestFlight (Preview)

eas build --platform ios --profile preview

Submit to App Store

eas submit --platform ios

Building for Android

Build for Play Store

eas build --platform android --profile production

First time:

• Creates upload keystore (keep this safe!)
• Follow prompts for configuration

Build APK (for testing)

Add to eas.json:

{
  "build": {
    "preview": {
      "android": {
        "buildType": "apk"
      }
    }
  }
}

Then:

eas build --platform android --profile preview

Submit to Play Store

eas submit --platform android

Build Both Platforms

eas build --platform all --profile production

Version Management

Before Each Release

Update in app.json:

{
  "expo": {
    "version": "1.1.0",
    "ios": {
      "buildNumber": "2"
    },
    "android": {
      "versionCode": 2
    }
  }
}

• version: User-visible version (1.0.0, 1.1.0, etc.)
• buildNumber/versionCode: Internal build number (increment each build)

App Store Listings

Required Assets

• Screenshots: Multiple sizes for different devices
• App Icon: 1024x1024 PNG
• Description: Short and long descriptions
• Keywords: Relevant search terms
• Privacy Policy URL: Required for both stores

iOS App Store

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Create new app
3. Fill in app information
4. Upload build from EAS
5. Submit for review

Google Play Store

1. Go to Google Play Console
2. Create new app
3. Complete store listing
4. Upload AAB from EAS
5. Submit for review

Environment Variables for Builds

Using EAS Secrets

eas secret:create --name APP_API_URL --value "https://mystore.com/api/v1"
eas secret:create --name APP_SITE_URL --value "https://mystore.com"
eas secret:create --name APP_NAME --value "Your Store Name"

In eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "production": {
      "env": {
        "APP_API_URL": "https://mystore.com/api/v1",
        "APP_SITE_URL": "https://mystore.com",
        "APP_NAME": "Your Store Name"
      }
    }
  }
}

Over-the-Air Updates

Update JavaScript without app store review:

eas update --branch production --message "Bug fixes"

Configure in app.json:

{
  "expo": {
    "updates": {
      "url": "https://u.expo.dev/your-project-id"
    },
    "runtimeVersion": {
      "policy": "sdkVersion"
    }
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Build Failed

1. Check build logs on expo.dev
2. Verify app.json configuration
3. Ensure valid credentials

Submission Rejected

Common reasons:

• Missing privacy policy
• Incomplete metadata
• Guideline violations
• Bug reports from review

Credentials Issues

# Clear credentials and reconfigure
eas credentials

Deployment Checklist

Before Submission

• [ ] Test on real devices
• [ ] Verify all features work
• [ ] Check performance
• [ ] Review app size
• [ ] Update version numbers
• [ ] Prepare store listings
• [ ] Create screenshots
• [ ] Write descriptions
• [ ] Set up privacy policy

After Submission

• [ ] Monitor review status
• [ ] Respond to reviewer questions
• [ ] Plan next updates

Need Help?

• Check EAS Documentation
• Read the Troubleshooting Guide
• Contact support for assistance