Expo SDK Updates - What to Watch

Expo releases new SDKs on a regular cadence. Staying current improves security, performance, and access to new APIs. Here’s what we watch when planning an upgrade.

Release Notes and Breaking Changes

Read the release notes for the target SDK and the ones in between. Note deprecated APIs and breaking changes. Plan a small migration task: replace deprecated calls, update config (app.json/app.config), and fix any new TypeScript or lint issues.

Native Dependencies and Custom Dev Clients

If you use a custom dev client or native modules, confirm they support the new SDK. Upgrade one major SDK at a time and run full regression on real devices. EAS Build makes it easy to try upgrade branches without blocking the team.

EAS Update and Config Plugins

Expo config plugins can change between SDK versions. After upgrading, verify that EAS Update and any plugins (e.g. for notifications or deep linking) still work. A quick test of build, OTA update, and critical flows usually catches issues.

Tracking SDK updates and upgrading on a schedule keeps your Expo app secure and aligned with the ecosystem.