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Create simulator builds for your Expo React Native app.

Prerequisites

# Install required tools
npm install -g @expo/cli eas-cli

Setup

Initialize EAS Build in your project:
cd /path/to/your-expo-project
eas build:configure
This creates eas.json in your project root.

iOS Simulator Build

1. Configure Profile

Add iOS simulator profile to eas.json:
{
  "build": {
    "ios-simulator": {
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    }
  }
}

2. Build

eas build -p ios --profile ios-simulator

3. Download

EAS outputs a download link:
✔ Build finished
🍎 https://expo.dev/artifacts/eas/abc123.tar.gz
Download and extract the .tar.gz file to get your .app.

4. Verify

Test before uploading:
  1. Open iOS Simulator
  2. Drag .app file onto simulator
  3. App should install and launch

Android Emulator Build

1. Configure Profile

Add Android profile to eas.json:
{
  "build": {
    "android-emulator": {
      "android": {
        "buildType": "apk"
      }
    }
  }
}

2. Build

eas build -p android --profile android-emulator

3. Download

✔ Build finished
🤖 https://expo.dev/artifacts/eas/xyz789.apk
Download the .apk file directly.

4. Verify

Test before uploading:
# Start emulator, then install
adb install your-app.apk

Build Both Platforms

Create a combined profile:
{
  "build": {
    "simulator-builds": {
      "ios": { "simulator": true },
      "android": { "buildType": "apk" }
    }
  }
}
Build both:
eas build --platform all --profile simulator-builds

Upload to Revyl

  1. Go to Builds page
  2. Click Upload Build
  3. Select platform
  4. Upload .app (iOS) or .apk (Android)
  5. Done!

Troubleshooting

  • Check EAS build credits
  • Verify package.json dependencies
  • Review logs in EAS dashboard
  • Validate eas.json syntax
  • Extract .tar.gz completely
  • Drag .app file itself, not folder
  • Check simulator iOS version compatibility
  • Restart simulator
  • Check emulator is running: adb devices
  • Force reinstall: adb install -r your-app.apk
  • Clear emulator storage if full
  • Re-download if file corrupted

Resources


Need help? Contact [email protected]