How to Deploy Your React Native Expo App to the App Store | Code with Beto

Learn how to deploy a React Native app built with Expo to the Apple App Store in just a few minutes. You'll learn using Expo Application Services (EAS) and the and commands to automate building, signing, and submitting your app.

If you want to install your app on a real device, share it with testers, or submit it for App Store review, this video walks you through the entire process, including managing certificates, provisioning profiles, and push notifications.

What's inside

Introduction to shipping Expo apps with EAS and npx eas
Uploading and building the app on Expo servers
Managing Apple credentials and certificates automatically
Creating and configuring the app in Apple Developer account
Installing the app on real devices via TestFlight
Setting up push notifications with Expo
Inviting testers and managing beta testing groups
Submitting the build for App Store review

Introduction to shipping Expo apps with EAS and npx eas

I start by explaining how Expo Application Services (EAS) simplify shipping React Native apps. Using the command uploads your project to Expo's cloud servers, where the app is built and signed automatically. This process removes the need to manually handle Xcode or Android Studio builds.

I use a simple app called "One Thing" built with Expo and Kiki AI. The goal is to get this app installed on devices and eventually published to the App Store with minimal setup.

Uploading and building the app on Expo servers

Running uploads your project to Expo's servers. Expo handles the entire build process in the cloud, including compiling your app and signing it with your Apple credentials. This means you don't need a Mac or Xcode installed locally.

The build process also registers your app's bundle identifier and creates necessary Apple Developer resources if this is your first time building the app.

Managing Apple credentials and certificates automatically

When you run the build command for the first time, Expo CLI asks you to log in with your Apple ID. It then manages your distribution certificates and provisioning profiles for you. You can choose to reuse existing certificates or create new ones.

This automation saves a lot of time and avoids the common pitfalls of manually creating and uploading certificates and profiles.

Creating and configuring the app in Apple Developer account

The CLI creates and registers your app in your Apple Developer account automatically. It sets up the bundle identifier and other required settings. If the app name is already taken, it still proceeds with the unique bundle ID you provide, and you can change the display name later.

You also confirm configuration options such as enabling push notifications and creating push keys during this setup.

Installing the app on real devices via TestFlight

After the build finishes, Expo submits the app to TestFlight, Apple's beta testing platform. You receive an email with a link to open the app in TestFlight. You need to have the TestFlight app installed on your device and be logged in with the same Apple ID.

This lets you install the production build on your device and share it with internal testers easily.

Setting up push notifications with Expo

Since the app uses Expo Notifications, I show how to configure push notifications during the build process. The CLI prompts you to create a push key and enables push notifications for your app automatically.

This ensures your app can send and receive notifications once installed from TestFlight or the App Store.

Inviting testers and managing beta testing groups

Expo and Apple allow you to invite other members of your Apple Developer team to test the app via TestFlight. You can also apply for public beta testing, which supports inviting up to 10,000 testers.

This makes it easy to distribute your app to friends, family, or a wider audience before the official App Store release.

Submitting the build for App Store review

Once you are ready to go live, you can log into your Apple Developer account, review the build, and submit it for App Store review. I explain that this step is manual but straightforward after the automated build and upload process.

You provide all the required app information in the developer portal and send the build for Apple's approval.

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