Expo Upgrade

References

• ./references/react-19.md -- SDK +54: React 19 changes (useContext → use, Context.Provider → Context, forwardRef removal)
• ./references/new-architecture.md -- SDK +53: New Architecture migration guide
• ./references/react-compiler.md -- SDK +54: React Compiler setup and migration guide
• ./references/native-tabs.md -- SDK +55: Native tabs changes (Icon/Label/Badge now accessed via NativeTabs.Trigger.*)
• ./references/expo-av-to-audio.md -- SDK +55: Migrate audio playback and recording from expo-av to expo-audio
• ./references/expo-av-to-video.md -- SDK +55: Migrate video playback from expo-av to expo-video
• ./references/react-navigation-to-expo-router.md -- SDK +56: Migrate @react-navigation/* imports to expo-router entry points (codemod + manual mapping)

Beta/Preview Releases

Beta versions use .preview suffix (e.g., 55.0.0-preview.2), published under @next tag.

Check if latest is beta: https://exp.host/--/api/v2/versions (look for -preview in expoVersion)

npx expo install expo@next --fix  # install beta

Step-by-Step Upgrade Process

If upgrading from SDK 55 or earlier, skip SDK 56 and upgrade directly to SDK 57. Don't use expo@57.0.8 or below. SDK 55 with Hermes V1 enabled, SDK 56, and older SDK 57 releases contain a Hermes V1 memory regression that can drastically increase memory usage when using react-native-worklets or react-native-reanimated.

1. Upgrade Expo and dependencies

npx expo install expo@latest
npx expo install --fix

2. Run diagnostics: npx expo-doctor

3. Clear caches and reinstall

npx expo export -p ios --clear
rm -rf node_modules .expo
watchman watch-del-all

Breaking Changes Checklist

• Check for removed APIs in release notes
• Update import paths for moved modules
• Review native module changes requiring prebuild
• Test all camera, audio, and video features
• Verify navigation still works correctly

Prebuild for Native Changes