upgrading-expo

--- name: upgrading-expo description: "Upgrade Expo SDK versions" risk: safe source: "https://github.com/expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/upgrading-expo" date_added: "2026-02-27" --- # Upgrading Expo ## Overview Upgrade Expo SDK versions safely, handling breaking changes, dependencies, and configuration updates. ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to upgrade Expo SDK versions. Use this skill when: - Upgrading to a new Expo SDK version - Handling breaking changes between SDK versions - Updating dependencies for compatibility - Migrating deprecated APIs to new versions - Preparing apps for new Expo features ## Instructions This skill guides you through upgrading Expo SDK versions: 1. **Pre-Upgrade Planning**: Review release notes and breaking changes 2. **Dependency Updates**: Update packages for SDK compatibility 3. **Configuration Migration**: Update app.json and configuration files 4. **Code Updates**: Migrate deprecated APIs to new versions 5. **Testing**: Verify app functionality after upgrade ## Upgrade Process ### 1. Pre-Upgrade Checklist - Review Expo SDK release notes - Identify breaking changes affecting your app - Check compatibility of third-party packages - Backup current project state - Create a feature branch for the upgrade ### 2. Update Expo SDK ```bash # Update Expo CLI npm install -g expo-cli@latest # Upgrade Expo SDK npx expo install expo@latest # Update all Expo packages npx expo install --fix ``` ### 3. Handle Breaking Changes - Review migration guides for breaking changes - Update deprecated API calls - Modify configuration files as needed - Update native dependencies if required - Test affected features thoroughly ### 4. Update Dependencies ```bash # Check for outdated packages npx expo-doctor # Update packages to compatible versions npx expo install --fix # Verify compatibility npx expo-doctor ``` ### 5. Testing - Test core app functionality - Verify native modules work correctly - Check for runtime errors - Test on both iOS and Android - Verify app store builds still work ## Common Issues ### Dependency Conflicts - Use `expo install` instead of `npm install` for Expo packages - Check package compatibility with new SDK version - Resolve peer dependency warnings ### Configuration Changes - Update `app.json` for new SDK requirements - Migrate deprecated configuration options - Update native configuration files if needed ### Breaking API Changes - Review API migration guides - Update code to use new APIs - Test affected features after changes ## Best Practices - Always upgrade in a feature branch - Test thoroughly before merging - Review release notes carefully - Update dependencies incrementally - Keep Expo CLI updated - Use `expo-doctor` to verify setup ## Resources For more information, see the [source repository](https://github.com/expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/upgrading-expo). ## Limitations - Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above. - Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review. - Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.